[The surgical license of Otaguro Gentan and its background]

After the birth of Caspar-style surgery (kasuparu-ryu geka) during the 1650s, for about three decades, certificates issued by surgeons of the Dutch East India Company proved useful to those pursuing a career as a 'Western-style physician'. Five of these 'diploma' have survived the ravages of time. Four of the five beneficiaries are well known. An investigation in Northern Kyushu and Shikoku brought to light historical records that clarify the hitherto unknown background of the fifth one, Otaguro Gentan. Gentan was the second son of Otaguro Shozaemon, a village headman in the province of Chikugo. With no prospects of succeeding his father, he went to serve in the residence of Kuze Hiroyuki in Edo. This powerful imperial councillor suggested an education in Western surgery at the Dutch trading post in Nagasaki. The instruction given by Arnold Dircksz ceased in October 1668 when he issued a certificate. After his 'graduation', Otaguro went to Edo again where he was employed by Hachisuga Tsunamichi, the young ruler of Awa. He changed his name to Mizogami, and for generations the sons of his family served as physicians to the Hachisuga family. Gentan was treaed with great generosity by Tsunamichi and his successor Tsunanori. In 1694, he was even granted use of Tsunamori's personal ship to travel to Nagasaki for further medical studies. But Gentan soon fell ill and after a brief visit to the village of his ancestors, he died at the end of the same year.