“Praying for the Cure”

“Science” and “magic” are not simply two opposing thought processes which have a straightforward relationship, first, on presumed axis of progress—from magic to science, second, within the context cultural divide—Western “science” vs. Eastern “tradition”. The aim this paper is examine in historical perspective introduction so-called “Western medicine” Japan idea that through “traditional” Chinese knowledge was superseded by “modern” Western science. By looking into intellectual currents field medicine, specifically eighteenth-century Japan, comparing them those West, article tries challenge narrative “modernity” as sort uniquely achievement defined “disenchantment”, “rationalism” “science”.