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[MZZ41-P03] Which basalt specimen from Genbudo was examined by Dr. Bunjiro Koto?
Keywords:basalt, Genbu-do, Bunjiro Koto, Meiji period
The Japanese name “genbu-gan” was given to the rock (basalt) quarried at Genbudo in Hyogo Prefecture by Dr. Bunjiro Koto in 1884 (Koto, 1884). However, there is no known record of Dr. Koto's visit to the site by this time. If he did not visit the site, he must have had an opportunity to observe specimens somewhere. Which basalt specimens from Genbudo did Dr. Kondo observe?
In the second half of the 19th century, by 1873, the specimens collected by the Bureau of the International Exposition in Austria, Japan included “Nadaishi” (Natural History Bureau, Ministry of the Interior, 1880). Specimens collected for the bureau were purchased by the museum. In the catalogue of rocks and minerals in Japan (unknown author, copied in 1881), “Genbudoseki” is listed. These facts suggest that not only was the “Nadaishi” specimen sent to Tokyo, but also the name “Genbuseki (Genbudoseki)” must have been informed to the museum (Kawamura, 2024). So, Dr. Koto must have known this and was able to observe the “nadaishi” in the museum collection. Although we cannot be certain that this was the only specimen available in Tokyo, it is assumed that Dr. Koto observed the specimen in the museum collection and named it “basalt".
In the second half of the 19th century, by 1873, the specimens collected by the Bureau of the International Exposition in Austria, Japan included “Nadaishi” (Natural History Bureau, Ministry of the Interior, 1880). Specimens collected for the bureau were purchased by the museum. In the catalogue of rocks and minerals in Japan (unknown author, copied in 1881), “Genbudoseki” is listed. These facts suggest that not only was the “Nadaishi” specimen sent to Tokyo, but also the name “Genbuseki (Genbudoseki)” must have been informed to the museum (Kawamura, 2024). So, Dr. Koto must have known this and was able to observe the “nadaishi” in the museum collection. Although we cannot be certain that this was the only specimen available in Tokyo, it is assumed that Dr. Koto observed the specimen in the museum collection and named it “basalt".