The Process of Transmission of Traditional Chinese Medicine Classics to Europe from the 16th to the 18th Centuries

Abstract:

The 16th to 18th centuries witnessed the early phase of large-scale transmission of Chinese ancient books to Europe, among which traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) classics accounted for a prominent proportion. From the perspective of the history of book circulation, this study examines the transoceanic dissemination of these TCM classics, which intuitively reflects the strong interest in TCM within Western society during the early modern period. As early as the 16th century, the TCM classics had already been introduced to Europe through Spain and Portugal, exemplified by the extant work Xin Kan Xu Shi Jia Chuan Jie Fa Zhen Jiu (《新刊徐氏家传捷法针灸》 Newly Printed Swift Acupuncture Methods Transmitted in the Xu Family ) preserved in Spain. Following the establishment of the Dutch East India Company, the Netherlands became a significant player in introducing TCM classics to Europe during the 17th century. At that time, Dutch scholars not only collected TCM classics but also exported them to other European countries, including present-day Britain, Italy, France, and Germany. Jesuit missionaries in China, such as Michal Boym (卜弥格) and Joachim Bouvet (白晋), also brought several TCM classics to Europe in the 17th century. By the 18th century, many Jesuits, including François Noël (卫方济), Kaspar Castner (庞嘉宾), Jean-François Foucquet (傅圣泽), and Jean-Joseph-Marie Amiot (钱德明), further introduced TCM classics to Europe.