Department, Subject, Science
Interesting Fact
During the Edo period, Japan restricted most foreign contact, but Dutch traders were allowed to maintain a presence at Dejima in Nagasaki. 🇯🇵🇳🇱 Through this small trading post, Japanese scholars obtained Western books, instruments, and medical knowledge. This field of study became known as Rangaku ("Dutch learning"). Some scholars even learned Dutch specifically so they could translate European scientific and medical texts. When Japan later modernized rapidly during the Meiji period, this accumulated knowledge helped Japan build modern scientific and medical institutions.
Memory Trick
“🌾 A scientist carefully measures a stalk of grain coming from plant(禾) with a giant measuring scoop(斗), sorting it into a special department—that's 科!”
Readings
Onyomi: カ (ka)
Kunyomi:
Example Words
Example Sentence
私は理科が好きです。
わたし は りか が すきです。
watashi wa rika ga suki desu
I like science.