Background
Heisuke Kudô was born in 1732. He was the third son of Nagai Taiun, a physician, and at the age of twelve became the adopted son of Kudd Joan, also a doctor, of the domain of Sendai.
Heisuke Kudô was born in 1732. He was the third son of Nagai Taiun, a physician, and at the age of twelve became the adopted son of Kudd Joan, also a doctor, of the domain of Sendai.
He studied Confucianism under Hattori Nankaku and Aoki Kon’yo and, becoming friendly with such students of Dutch learning as Nakagawa Jun’an, Noro Genjo, and others, took up the study of Western subjects. Later he journeyed to Nagasaki and studied Dutch language and culture under one of the Dutch merchants there.
On reaching maturity he practiced medicine in Sendai, and in 1754 was made physician of the fief of Sendai and took up residence in Edo.
In 1786 at his recommendation, Otsuki Gentaku was summoned to be a physician of the domain of Sendai, and together they conducted a survey of the herbs and other medicines to be found in the domain. In time he was also called upon to take part in administrative affairs of the fief.
He was much concerned over the possibility of Russian expansion into the region of Ezochi, as Hokkaido was known at that time, and in 1783 addressed a memorial on the subject to Tanuma Okitsugu, the highest ranking shogunate official of the period.
In a work entitled Aka Ezo fusetseko, or “Reports of the Red Ezo” (i.c., Russians), he urged that steps be taken to protect the coastline and harbors of Japan, particularly in the northern region, and suggested that trade relations be established with Russia.
His work had a great influence on the thinking of Hayashi Shihei, another scholar of Sendai who concerned himself with problems of coastal defense and national security.
(In a work entitled Aka Ezo fusetseko, or “Reports of the ...)