Due to Dutch presence; Japan learned many aspects of the scientific and technological revolution occurring in Europe at that time, helping the country build up the beginnings of a theoretical and technological scientific base, which helps to explain Japan's success in its radical and speedy modernization following the opening of the country to foreign trade in 1854. Rangaku, literally "Dutch Learning", and by extension "Western learning") is a body of knowledge developed by Japan through its contacts with the Dutch enclave of Dejima.

Optical prints
It is a matter of fact that the Rangakusha (Japanese practisers of Dutch studies) had great interest in the optical prints and the application, as appears a.o. from a manuscript dated 1784 by Shiba Kokan in which he explains the operation.
See our section on "From Optical Prints to Ukie to Ukiyoe" [+].

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