Mathematical Treasures of Japan in the Edo Period: The Chinese Nine Chapters in Japan

Sankei kyusho is a book of unknown authorship and date that is organized like and obviously influenced by the Chinese mathematical classic, Jiuzhang suanshu (The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art). In Sankei kyusho, the Japanese word kyusho means "nine chapters." The book concerns various practical mathematical applications. The opening page immediately focuses on solving problems.

Different geometrical situations involving measurement and calculation are considered.

For more information about the Jiuzhang suanshu (The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art), see:

• Mathematical Treasures - Jiuzhang suanshu, by Frank J. Swetz and Victor J. Katz
• Illustrating The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art: Their Use in a College Mathematics Classroom, by Joel Haack

These images are presented through the kind cooperation of the National Diet Library, Japan, and are used with permission. They were obtained from the library’s digital gallery exhibit, Japanese Mathematics in the Edo Period, where a complete examination and viewing of the item presented above can be found.

Index to Mathematical Treasures