Our father of Japanese medical science, Ogata Koan

Ogata Koan (1810-1863) was born in Bitchu (the part of current Okayama) province as a son of lower-ranked samurai.
He had a weak constitution  for samurai so he aimed at become a medical doctor.

When his father was transferred to Osaka for work, he came to Osaka with his father.
While he stayed in Osaka, he learnt Rangaku (studies of western sciences) and medial science under a Ranpou-i (doctor who practices western medicine), Naka Tenyu.
Later he learnt Rangaku also at Edo and Nagasaki.

He came back Osaka and in 1838, he practiced medicine and founded Teki-juku, the school of Rangaku.
Also he married with Yae, a daughter of the Ranpou-i Okugawa Hyakki in this year.
At Teki-juku he taught students Rangaku gently but strictly same time.
He became popular for his gentle character and his great skill as both medical doctor and Rangaku teacher, therefore young people who hope to enroll to Teki-juku increased day by day.
Students came from all over Japan to Teki-juku.

Ogata Kouan started smallpox vaccination in Osaka, and saved many lives.
Also he strove to popularize the treatment among society.

For his great reputation, Tokugawa shogunate asked Koan to be a private doctor for shogun.
Kouan had to obey this offer, but it was not his wish.
He couldn't have better life in Edo than he had in Osaka.
He was getting weaker and died suddenly in 1863.

The way he died was a tragedy for a great person like him.
But he left great heritage to posterity.
The graduates from his Teki-juku flourished in society.
Moreover there were many great people in Japanese history from that graduates.
Such as Fukuzawa Yukichi (the founder of Keio university), Otori Keisuke (military leader), Sano Tsunetami (politician) and Tezuka Ryosen (the grand-grand father of Tezuka Osamu, the great manga artist).

Teki-juku was closed in 1868, but the building of Teki-juku was rebuilt in 1980 and still remain at same place before.
You can tour inside the traditional style building.
Now it was managed as a museum by Osaka university.
It is said that Teki-juku became the origin of the Osaka university.
Koan made a base of Japanese medical science in Osaka.