Philipp Franz von Siebold

Philipp Franz von Siebold (1796–1866) was a 

German physician, botanist, and traveler who became one of the most significant Western scholars of Japan during the nation's period of isolation.
Medical and Academic Contributions

• Western Medicine in Japan: Arriving in 1823 as a military doctor for the Dutch East India Company, Siebold introduced vaccination and pathological anatomy to Japan.

• Narutaki-juku School: He established a medical school in Nagasaki where he trained approximately 50 Japanese students in Western sciences.

• Japanese Flora and Fauna: Siebold meticulously documented Japanese biology, co-authoring the famous Flora Japonica and sending thousands of plant and animal specimens back to Europe. 

The "Siebold Incident"

In 1828, Siebold was caught in possession of strictly forbidden maps of Japan, leading to his arrest on suspicion of spying for Russia. This "Siebold Incident" resulted in his permanent expulsion from Japan in 1829 and the imprisonment of several of his Japanese collaborators. 

Later Life and Legacy

• Opening Japan: After his expulsion, he used his extensive knowledge to advise Western governments on diplomatic strategies to "open" Japan to trade.

• Return to Japan: Following the lifting of his ban in 1858, he returned for a second stay (1859–1862) to continue his research and serve as a consultant.

• Museum Collections: His vast ethnographic and botanical collections formed the basis of the SieboldHuis in Leiden and the Museum Fünf Kontinente in Munich.

• Family: He was the father of Kusumoto Ine, who became the first female Japanese doctor trained in Western medicine.