Wasan, the Fascination of Traditional Japanese Mathematics

Wasan—a unique form of Japanese mathematics—was developed during the Edo period (1603–1868), a time when the entire country was isolated from the rest of the world. Mathematics was enjoyed as a form of entertainment by adults and children alike and by people of all social classes. Jinkōki, an extraordinary mathematics textbook, was used at private elementary schools called terakoya and became a bestseller that could be found in every household. Furthermore, world-class works were produced by Japanese mathematicians such as Seki Takakazu and Takebe Katahiro.

This book explores the beauty and fascination surrounding wasan by providing a guided tour that goes back in time over three hundred years and navigates through the mysterious and incredible world of mathematical wizardry found during the Edo period Japan.

SAKURAI Susumu
Born in Yamagata Prefecture in 1968, Sakurai Susumu graduated from the Department of Mathematics and the graduate school at the Tokyo Institute of Technology. He is a science navigator and was a Fellow of the Center for the Study of World Civilizations at the Tokyo Institute of Technology (2007–2013). While studying at the university, he taught at cram schools and explained mathematics and physics to students in interesting ways. In doing so, he developed “Science Entertainment,” which includes activities that communicate the surprising and inspiring nature of mathematics through human interactions between people and familiar objects. Sakurai lectures all over Japan and has authored books such as Omoshirokute nemurenaku sūgaku (Mathematics, Too Exciting to Sleep), Kandō suru sūgaku, (Inspirational Mathematics), and Setsugetsuka no sūgaku (Mathematics of Snow, Moon, and Flowers).

*information as of time of publication

Japan Library series
Science

Publisher:
Japan Publishing Industry Foundation for Culture

Hardcover
¥2,600 + tax
ISBN 9784866580173
188 mm x 128 mm / 180 pp. / March 2018

eBook
ISBN 9784866580395 (ePub)
ISBN 9784866580296 (PDF)

On the occasion of the publication of the English translation / Preface: Seeking the soul of mathematics / 1. Mathematics Fever / 2. Wasan enthusiasts and π / 3. Wasan, alive today / Exercises

"This is a cute looking little book on traditional Japanese mathematics, and the packaging is chosen on purpose: it aims at exploring the beauty, the fascination, and the mysteries of mathematical wizardry in order to entertain, surprise and inspire science students."

Andrea Bréard
Université Paris-Sud
Mathematical Reviews

庶民から大名まで、江戸の日本人は世界に類を見ない数学好きだった。算聖と謳われた関孝和、『塵劫記』を著した吉田光由ら和算家が残した業績は世界にひけをとらない。知られざる江戸の数学文化を案内しながらその魅力に迫る。「和算」の楽しい練習問題・解説付き。

桜井 進
1968年山形県生まれ。東京工業大学理学部数学科、同大学院卒業。サイエンスナビゲーター。東京工業大学世界文明センターフェロー。在学中から予備校講師として教壇に立ち数学や物理を楽しくわかりやすく生徒に伝える。その傍ら、身近なものや数学者の人間ドラマを通して数学の驚きと感動を伝える「サイエンスエンターテイメント」活動を展開、日本各地で講演を行っている。著書に『超 面白くて眠れなくなる数学』『感動する！数学』『雪月花の数学』他多数。

＊著者略歴は書籍刊行時のものを表示しています。