Changes

*''Born: [[1648]]''

*''Born: [[1648]]''

*''Died: [[1724]]''

*''Died: [[1724]]''

*''Japanese'': [[西川]] 如見 ''(Nishikawa Joken)''

*''Japanese'': [[西川]] 如見 ''(Nishikawa Joken)''

Joken published one of his most famous works on peoples and places of the world, ''[[Kai tsusho ko|Ka'i tsûshô kô]]'', in [[1695]]. This original version was in two volumes, and described the lands of China, Korea, Ryukyu, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and Europe, and their peoples. In [[1709]], Joken published an expanded version, ''Zôho ka'i tsûshô kô'', covering the same subjects in five volumes.

Joken published one of his most famous works on peoples and places of the world, ''[[Kai tsusho ko|Ka'i tsûshô kô]]'', in [[1695]]. This original version was in two volumes, and described the lands of China, Korea, Ryukyu, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and Europe, and their peoples. In [[1709]], Joken published an expanded version, ''Zôho ka'i tsûshô kô'', covering the same subjects in five volumes.

In [[1719]], the shogunate summoned Joken to [[Edo]] to consult him on astronomical matters. The following year, [[Nagasaki interpreters|Nagasaki-based Chinese-language interpreter]] [[Ro Sosetsu|Ro Sôsetsu]] was also summoned to Edo and the two began to work together. Though Joken was never officially named to the position of ''[[tenmongata]]'' (astronomy/calendrics official for the [[Tokugawa shogunate]]), his son [[Nishikawa Seikyu|Nishikawa Seikyû]] ([[1693]]-[[1756]])<!--西川正休--> later was. Joken's daughter, meanwhile, married a son of Chinese interpreter [[Sakaki Soken]] (d. [[1740]])<!--彭城素軒-->, who had written the preface to several of Joken's books.

In [[1719]], the shogunate summoned Joken to [[Edo]] to consult him on astronomical matters. The following year, [[Nagasaki interpreters|Nagasaki-based Chinese-language interpreter]] [[Ro Sosetsu|Ro Sôsetsu]] was also summoned to Edo and the two began to work together. After his return to Nagasaki, Joken was asked to produce copies of his writings on astronomy and geography for presentation to the shogun.

 

Though Joken was never officially named to the position of ''[[tenmongata]]'' (astronomy/calendrics official for the [[Tokugawa shogunate]]), his son [[Nishikawa Seikyu|Nishikawa Seikyû]] ([[1693]]-[[1756]])<!--西川正休--> later was. Seikyû is not known to have produced much original works, but edited or recompiled a number of Joken's works. Joken's daughter, meanwhile, married a son of Chinese interpreter [[Sakaki Soken]] (d. [[1740]])<!--彭城素軒-->, who had written the preface to several of Joken's books.

==Selected List of Works==

==Selected List of Works==

*''[[Kai tsusho ko|Ka'i tsûshô kô]]'' ("Thoughts on Commerce among the Civilized and Barbarians," 1695)

*''[[Kai tsusho ko|Ka'i tsûshô kô]]'' ("Thoughts on Commerce among the Civilized and Barbarians," 1695)

*''Zôho ka'i tsûshô kô'' (1709)

*''Zôho ka'i tsûshô kô'' (1709)

*''Tenmon giron'' ("On the Celestial Signs")

*''Tenmon giron'' ("On the Celestial Signs")

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