The Life and Work of Ph.Fr. von Siebold

Philipp Franz von Siebold was born into a family of physicians
in Wuerzburg, Bavaria (present-day Germany) on February 17,
1796.  After entering Wuerzburg University, he studied not only
medicine but also zoology, botany and ethnology.  This
extensive scientific knowledge became an important tool for
his later research in Japan.
      Siebold arrived in Nagasaki in 1823 as resident physician
at the Dutch Trading Post on Dejima Island in Nagasaki. 
During his stay he conducted research with the cooperation of
the Dutch interpreters, Nagasaki artist Kawahara Keiga and 
the Japanese students who gathered in Nagasaki from around
Japan to draw from the well of Western science.  
      Later, he published the results of these studies in
Europe, including information on the natural environment,
geography, history, customs and arts of Nagasaki.  In
particular, his work "Nippon" published from 1832 reveals the
high cultural level of Japan and the beauty of its natural
environment.
      Siebold introduced Western medicine to Japan and
contributed enormously to the modernization of the country. 
He was in fact one of the first Europeans to study Japan in
depth and to promote knowledge about the country overseas.