Exploring the History of Chemistry in Japan

The title of this article refers to exploring both the history of chemistry in Japan and the history of Japanese chemistry. The article deals with both because they are not completely separate entities. Beginning with a historical overview of the community of chemical historians in Japan, the article discusses the roles of chemist-historians and professional historians of science in the development of a community centred around the Japanese Society for the History of Chemistry (Kagakushi Gakkai, hereinafter JSHC). My own experience as a historian of science is mentioned when appropriate. The final part of the article illuminates some issues concerning the early history of modern Japanese chemistry, showing how it developed from interactions of modern chemistry and local practices to become its own innovative field. In doing so, I draw attention to the significance of the study of local histories of chemistry.