Hiraga Gennai

3.1. Birth and Family Background

Hiraga Gennai was born in 1729 in the village of Shidoura, located in Sanuki Province, which is part of the modern-day city of Sanuki, Kagawa. He was the third son of Shiraishi Mozaemon (良房), a low-ranking provincial samurai who served the Takamatsu Domain. The Shiraishi clan claimed descent from the Hiraga clan, local warlords in Saku District, Shinano Province. After their defeat by the Takeda clan in 1536 at Uminokuchi Castle, they fled to Mutsu Province, where they served the Date clan and adopted the surname "Shiraishi" from a location in Mutsu. They later accompanied a branch of the Date clan to Uwajima Domain in Shikoku before eventually settling in Takamatsu, where they supplemented their meager samurai income with farming. It is said that Gennai's generation restored the "Hiraga" surname.

3.2. Early Life and Education

Gennai spent his childhood in Takamatsu, where he received an early education in Confucianism and haiku poetry. He also demonstrated an early aptitude for craftsmanship, creating intricate designs on hanging scrolls (掛け軸_kakejiku^Japanese), including one known as "Omiki Tenjin." His talent led him to begin studies as an herbalist at the age of 13, becoming an apprentice to a physician. At 18, he was offered an official position in the local daimyō's herb garden. In 1749, following his father's death, Gennai became the head of the family and took up the position of a storehouse keeper (蔵番_kura-ban^Japanese) for the domain.

3.3. Studies in Nagasaki

Around 1752, Gennai embarked on a year-long study trip to Nagasaki, which was then one of the only ports open to foreign ships in Japan. Despite his low social status and his duties as a storehouse keeper, the reasons for his extended study in Nagasaki remain somewhat mysterious. Theories suggest he may have had secret support from the Takamatsu Domain lord, Matsudaira Yoriyasu, who was interested in herbalism and natural products, or from a patron like Kubo Sōkan, a physician and herbal enthusiast from Takamatsu. He is also believed to have been employed as an assistant to the domain's official herbalist.

In Nagasaki, Gennai immersed himself in the study of Western medicine, including European pharmaceutical and surgical techniques, and other aspects of Rangaku (Dutch Studies). His interactions with Chinese merchants and members of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) exposed him to new ideas and technologies, including ceramics. After returning from Nagasaki in 1754, Gennai cited "recent illness" as his reason for resigning from his position as storehouse keeper. He then transferred headship of the family to his younger sister's husband, who was adopted into the family. In 1755, he demonstrated his practical skills by creating a distance-measuring device (量程器_ryōteiki^Japanese) and a magnetic compass (磁針器_jishinki^Japanese), which was modeled after a Dutch instrument.

3.4. Life in Edo

After his studies in Nagasaki, Gennai continued his intellectual journey, traveling to Osaka and Kyoto to further his knowledge of herbal medicine under Toda Kyokuzan. In 1757, he moved to Edo (modern-day Tokyo), where he would spend much of his productive life.

3.5. Later Life and Death

By the summer of 1779, Gennai had returned to Edo and was undertaking repairs at a daimyō's mansion. The circumstances surrounding his final days are shrouded in mystery and various theories.

The most widely accepted account states that in late 1779, specifically on November 20, Gennai was staying at his residence in Kanda with two disciples, Hisagorō and Jūemon. A "dispute" arose between them in the early morning, during which Gennai drew his sword, injuring both. Hisagorō later died from his wounds. It is said that Gennai had been prone to fits of rage even before this incident. He was subsequently imprisoned on November 21 and died in prison on January 24, 1780, at the age of 52, reportedly from tetanus.

4.1. Scientific Inventions and Discoveries

Gennai's scientific endeavors led to several significant inventions and advancements:

• Elekiter (Electrostatic Generator): Gennai successfully repaired and restored a Dutch-made electrostatic generator in 1776. While he may not have fully understood its underlying principles, his restoration allowed for its demonstration and study in Japan, sparking interest in Western electrical science. He famously used it as a public spectacle, charging visitors to witness its effects.
• Kandankei (Thermometer): In 1765, Gennai produced Japan's first domestically made thermometer, the "Japanese-made Hot and Cold Ascending/Descending Device" (日本創製寒熱昇降器_{Nihon Sōsei Kandankei}^Japanese). Although the original no longer exists, it is believed to have been an alcohol thermometer, likely based on Western designs. It reportedly used the Fahrenheit scale and included descriptive labels for temperature ranges.
• Kakanpu (Asbestos Cloth): Gennai developed and produced fire-resistant asbestos cloth. His work in this area stemmed from his involvement in mining and material science.
• Air Balloon Research: Gennai is said to have taught the principles of hot air balloons to children in Akita Prefecture, which is believed to be the origin of a local traditional festival. While he did not achieve practical flight, his interest in the subject highlights his forward-thinking approach.
• Kingarawashi (Imitation Leather Paper): To counter the outflow of precious metals caused by the popularity of imported gold-embossed leather, Gennai invented a domestically produced imitation using Japanese paper.

4.2. Industrial and Craft Activities

Gennai actively engaged in various industrial and craft ventures:

• Mineral Prospecting and Mining Development: He discovered iron deposits in Izu Province in 1761 and acted as a broker to establish mining operations. From 1766, he assisted the Kawagoe Domain in developing an asbestos mine in what is now Chichibu, Saitama. He also provided guidance on charcoal production and river transport improvements in the Chichibu region. In 1773, he was invited by Satake Yoshiatsu, the lord of the Kubota Domain, to teach mining engineering at the Ani Mine in Dewa Province.
• Pottery Making (Gennai Ware): In 1772, Gennai discovered a new source of clay in Nagasaki. He petitioned the government to allow large-scale pottery manufacturing for both export and domestic use, stating, "If the Japanese ware is good, then naturally we will not spend our gold and silver on the foreign commodity. Rather to the contrary: since both the Chinese and Hollanders will come to seek out these wares and carry them home, this will be of everlasting national benefit. Since it is originally clay, no matter how much pottery we send out, there need be no anxiety about a depletion of resources." The pottery produced under his guidance, known as "Gennai ware," is distinctive for its brilliant, often three-color, enamels, influenced by the Kōchi ware style from his native Shikoku.

• Exhibitions and Trade Fairs: Gennai was instrumental in organizing Japan's first product exhibitions (薬品会_yakuhinkai^Japanese), starting with the "Eastern Capital Products Exhibition" (東都薬品会_{Tōto Yakuhinkai}^Japanese) in Yushima, Edo, in 1757. These events showcased various natural products and medicinal herbs, promoting domestic industries.
• Commercial Advertising: Gennai is considered a pioneer in Japanese advertising, having written promotional materials for products such as a toothpaste called Sōsekikō (漱石膏_Sōsekikō^Japanese) in 1769 and Shimizu mochi in 1775. He also has a popular, though unsubstantiated, association with the practice of eating eel on Doyō no Ushi no Hi to combat summer heat.

4.3. Literary Works

Gennai was a prolific and influential writer, particularly in the genre of gesaku (satirical literature).

• On Farting (放屁論_Hōhiron^Japanese): This satirical essay explores the interplay between high and low culture in Ryōgoku, a popular entertainment district in Edo. It features Gennai himself debating a Confucian samurai about a peasant who gained fame as a "fart-ist." Gennai argues for the uniqueness and creativity of the act, while the samurai condemns it as a breach of Confucian etiquette. Through this dialogue, Gennai critiques the rigid categorization of art and performance as either "high" or "low."
• Rootless Grass (根南志具佐_Nenashigusa^Japanese): Published in 1763, this satirical work depicts Enma, the King of Hell, falling in love with an onnagata (male actor playing female roles). The story follows the Dragon King's attempts to retrieve the actor from the mortal world, involving a kappa who falls in love with the actor. The narrative culminates in the revelation that the entire story was a dream, foretelling the actor's death. A sequel, Nenashigusa kohen, was published in 1769.
• A Lousy Journey of Love (痿陰隠逸伝_{Naemara In'itsuden}^Japanese): This piece, part of a posthumously compiled anthology, follows the journey of two lice traversing a boy's body. Gennai employs extensive wordplay and puns to create an absurd and humorous narrative from the perspective of a louse.
• Fūryū Shidōken den (風流志道軒伝_{Fūryū Shidōken den}^Japanese): Published in 1763, this kokkeibon (humorous book) features the storyteller Fukai Shidōken as its protagonist.
• Fūrai Rokubushū (風来六部集_{Fūrai Rokubushū}^Japanese): A collection of satirical writings, including "On Farting" and "A Lousy Journey of Love."
• Nagamakura Shitone Kassen (長枕褥合戦_{Nagamakura Shitone Kassen}^Japanese): An erotic work depicting a mass sexual encounter, highlighting Gennai's unconventional literary themes.
• Guidebooks on Male Prostitutes: Gennai authored works like Kiku no en (1764) and Danshoku Saiken (1775), which served as guides to male prostitutes and male brothels in Edo.
• Jōruri Plays: Under the pen name Fukuchi Kigai (福内鬼外_{Fukuchi Kigai}^Japanese), Gennai wrote numerous plays for puppet theater, including Shinrei Yaguchinowatari (神霊矢口渡_{Shinrei Yaguchinowatari}^Japanese, 1770), Genji Ōzōshi (源氏大草紙_{Genji Ōzōshi}^Japanese, 1770), Yumuse Chiyū Minato (弓勢智勇湊_{Yumuse Chiyū Minato}^Japanese, 1771), Nen'yō Aioi Genji (嫩榕葉相生源氏_{Nen'yō Aioi Genji}^Japanese, 1773), Mae Taiheiki Koseki Kagami (前太平記古跡鑑_{Mae Taiheiki Koseki Kagami}^Japanese, 1774), Chūshin Iroha Jikki (忠臣伊呂波実記_{Chūshin Iroha Jikki}^Japanese, 1775), Arago Mitama Nitta Shintoku (荒御霊新田新徳_{Arago Mitama Nitta Shintoku}^Japanese, 1779), and Reigen Miyatogawa (霊験宮戸川_{Reigen Miyatogawa}^Japanese, 1780).

4.4. Artistic Works

Gennai's artistic talents were as varied as his scientific pursuits.

• Painting: He was a pioneer in Western-style oil painting in Japan, teaching the technique to Odano Naotake, who would later illustrate Kaitai Shinsho. Notable paintings attributed to Gennai include "Red-Clothed Dutchman with a Black Servant" (黒奴を伴う赤服蘭人図_{Kokudo o Tomonau Akefuku Ranjin-zu}^Japanese) and "Western Woman" (西洋婦人図_{Seiyō Fujin-zu}^Japanese), the latter housed at the Kobe City Museum.
• Pottery: Gennai's influence on pottery is evident in "Gennai ware" (源内焼_Gennai-yaki^Japanese), a distinctive style characterized by its vibrant, often three-color, enamels, inspired by the Kōchi ware of his home region.

5.1. Genius and Eccentricity

Gennai was widely regarded as a genius and an eccentric. His polymathic talents allowed him to engage deeply with fields as diverse as natural history, medicine, engineering, literature, and art. He possessed an innovative spirit, constantly seeking to introduce new ideas and technologies from the West to Japan, despite the prevailing policy of national isolation.

His personal life was unconventional for his time. He was known to be onna-girai (女嫌い_onna-girai^Japanese, averse to women) and was openly homosexual, never marrying. His relationships with Kabuki actors, particularly Segawa Kikunojō II, were well-known. These aspects of his life, along with his often satirical and provocative writings, contributed to his reputation as an eccentric figure who challenged societal norms.

5.2. Influence and Legacy

Gennai's lasting impact on Japanese society is profound. He was a crucial figure in the development of Rangaku (Dutch Studies), playing a significant role in introducing Western science, technology, and culture to Japan. His efforts in cultivating ginseng, developing asbestos cloth, and restoring the Elekiter laid groundwork for future scientific and industrial advancements.

In literature, he is considered a founder of the gesaku genre, which paved the way for new forms of popular fiction. His satirical works provided sharp social commentary and explored themes that were often taboo. His artistic contributions, particularly in Western-style painting and pottery, also left a distinct mark.

Gennai's influence extended to prominent scholars of his time, including Sugita Genpaku and Nakagawa Jun'an, who were leading figures in Rangaku. Genpaku's memoir, Rangaku Kotohajime, dedicates a chapter to his interactions with Gennai, highlighting the latter's intellectual prowess and influence.

5.3. Criticism and Controversy

Despite his many achievements, Gennai's work and life were not without criticism and controversy. Some historians note that many of his inventions, while ingenious, did not always lead to practical or widespread applications. His later years were marked by financial difficulties and a sense of "fury and despair," as described by his disciple.

The circumstances of his death in prison, following the killing of two carpenters, remain a subject of debate. While the official account attributes his death to tetanus after a drunken rage, alternative theories suggest he may have been secretly spirited away by influential figures like Tanuma Okitsugu or his home domain, living out his life in obscurity. This enduring mystery adds to the controversial aspects of his biography. His satirical writings, particularly those on sexuality and social norms, were also seen as provocative and challenged the conservative values of the Edo period.

6.1. Tokyo Grave

Gennai's primary grave is located at the former site of Sosen-ji temple in Asakusabashi (now Hashiba, Taitō-ku, Tokyo). Although Sosen-ji temple itself relocated to Itabashi in 1928, the cemetery, including Gennai's grave, remained at its original location. It is said that his friend, Sugita Genpaku, personally funded the construction of this grave. The grave bears the posthumous Buddhist name (戒名_kaimyō^Japanese) Chiken Rei'yū (智見霊雄_{Chiken Rei'yū}^Japanese). Behind Gennai's grave lies the grave of Fukusuke, his long-time manservant. Next to Gennai's tombstone stands a stone monument inscribed with an epitaph composed by Sugita Genpaku.

The grave site has undergone changes over time. Early 19th-century accounts suggest the tombstone initially only bore his posthumous name, with "Hiraga Gennai's Grave" written in ink rather than carved. By 1891, his name and death date were carved into the stone. The surface of the tombstone also shows signs of being unnaturally shaved. In 1931, the tomb was reconstructed under the patronage of Count Matsudaira Yorinaga. The site was provisionally designated a historic site by Tokyo Prefecture in 1924 and again in 1929, after plans to relocate Sosen-ji threatened its preservation. In 1943, it received protection as a National Historic Site. The grave is located about a 12-minute walk from Minami-Senju Station on the Hibiya Line, but it is not open to the public.

6.2. Sanuki Grave

In addition to the Tokyo grave, Hiraga Gennai has a second grave at Jiseiin temple (自性院_Jiseiin^Japanese), the Hiraga family's ancestral temple (菩提寺_bodaiji^Japanese), in Sanuki, Kagawa, his hometown. This grave is believed to have been erected by Hiraga Gondayū, Gennai's brother-in-law and successor to the Hiraga family, to allow family and local acquaintances to mourn him. An annual memorial service is held here every December.

6.3. Sugita Genpaku's Epitaph

Sugita Genpaku, Gennai's lifelong friend, composed a memorial inscription of about 300 characters titled "Epitaph for Kyūkei, the Unofficial Scholar" (処士鳩渓墓碑銘_{Shoshi Kyūkei Bohimei}^Japanese). Genpaku initially envisioned erecting a monument with this inscription at Nōmidō in Kanazawa, Musashi Province (modern-day Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama), though it is unclear if this plan was ever realized.

The full text of the epitaph was preserved through manuscripts, notably the 1845 Gesakushako Hoi (戯作者考補遺_{Gesakushako Hoi}^Japanese). The epitaph includes a famous 16-character poem that reads:
"嗟非常人 好非常事 行是非常 何非常死_{Ah, an extraordinary person, who liked extraordinary things, whose actions were extraordinary, why did he die an extraordinary death?}^Japanese"
(Ah, an extraordinary person, who liked extraordinary things, whose actions were extraordinary, why did he die an extraordinary death?)

There is historical debate about whether this epitaph was ever actually carved onto a tombstone or if it remained a draft. Some theories suggest it was carved but later destroyed or altered due to the prohibition against honoring a criminal's grave. Other scholars argue it was only a manuscript and never physically inscribed. However, in 1930, the full text of the Shoshi Kyūkei Bohimei was indeed carved onto the back of the "Hiraga Gennai Grave Repair Monument" (平賀源内墓地修築之碑_{Hiraga Gennai Bochi Shūchiku no Hi}^Japanese) erected next to Gennai's grave in Tokyo. The 16-character poem is also inscribed on the pedestal of the Hiraga Gennai statue in Sanuki City.

7.1. 18th-Century Book Illustrations

Some illustrations in Gennai's own published works from the 18th century are believed to depict him. These include illustrations from Tengu Sharekobe Mekiki Engi, and the self-preface and illustrations from Sato no Odamaki Hyō.

7.2. Later Portraits

Later portraits and depictions of Gennai also exist, though their accuracy varies.

7.2.1. Gyoran Sensei Shun'yūki

The illustration "Shun'yūki Hissakuzu" in the book Gyoran Sensei Shun'yūki (published 1781, illustrated by Usui Tōjin) is speculated to depict Ōta Nanpo, Utagawa Enba, and Hiraga Gennai. However, other theories suggest it depicts the book's authors.

7.2.2. Sentetsu Zōden

The "Hiraga Kyūkei Portrait" in the manuscript Sentetsu Zōden Shirinbu Den (compiled 1844 by Hara Tokusai) is said to be based on a painting by either Katsuragawa Hoshū or his younger brother Morishima Chūryō, both of whom knew Gennai. This portrait is considered by some to be a reliable depiction of Gennai.

7.2.3. Gesakushako Hoi

The Gesakushako Hoi (戯作者考補遺_{Gesakushako Hoi}^Japanese), authored by Kimura Mokuō in 1845, includes an autographed "Hiraga Kyūkei Portrait." This portrait was drawn over 60 years after Gennai's death, based on accounts from elders who knew him. This depiction shows a lean figure, which contrasts with the description of Gennai being obese. The original manuscript of this portrait was lost during World War II, but copies, such as one from the Meiji era housed at Keio University, still exist.

The bronze statue of Hiraga Gennai in Sanuki City was created by sculptor Ogura Uichirō, based on the portrait from Gesakushako Hoi and local legends from Chichibu.

8.1. Literature and Manga

Gennai has been featured as a character or subject in numerous literary works and manga:

• Hiraga Gennai by Sakurada Tsunehisa (an Akutagawa Prize-winning novel that imagines Gennai's escape from prison with Sugita Genpaku's help).
• Hiraga Gennai by Murakami Motozō.
• Naruto Hichō by Eiji Yoshikawa (Gennai appears in this historical novel).
• Zukkoke Jikan Hyōryūki by Nasu Masamoto.
• Hiraga Gennai Torimonochō by Hisao Jūran.
• Gennai Sensei Funade Iwai by Yamamoto Masayo.
• Burai Bushidō by Nanjo Norio.
• Ibun Fūrai Sanjin by Hirose Tadashi.
• Edo no Ōyamashi Tensai Hatsumeika Hiraga Gennai by Akamatsu Mitsuo (an erotic historical novel).
• Gennai Mangekyō by Shimizu Yoshinori.
• Ōedo Rangaku Koto Hajime by Ōnuma Hiroyuki and Watanabe Jun'ichi.
• Sora Tobu Hyōguya by Yasutaka Tsutsui (Gennai supports Ukita Kōkichi, the first person to fly a manned glider, drawing parallels to modern media culture).
• Ginma Den Gennai Shitō no Maki by Motohiko Izawa.
• Ōedo Kyōryū Den by Baku Yumemakura.
• Moshimo Tokugawa Ieyasu ga Sōri大臣 ni Nattara by Akihito Manabe.
• Nenashigusa Hiraga Gennai no Satsujin by Rokurō Inui.
• Gekijōkoku no Kaijin by Rokurō Inui.
• Ōoku: The Inner Chambers by Fumi Yoshinaga (Gennai is portrayed as a cross-dressing lesbian scholar and inventor).
• Hiraga Gennai Kaikoku Shinsho by Shotaro Ishinomori (Gennai is depicted as the author of Tanuma Okitsugu's biography).
• Haru no Arashi by Kazuo Kamimura.
• Fūunji-tachi by Tarō Minamoto (Gennai is an opinion leader among Rangaku scholars, struggling with the era's inability to keep pace with his genius).
• Edo Murasaki Tokkyū by Nobuyuki Hori (a parody manga where Gennai's "Elekiter" is an electric massager).
• Tōzai Kikkai Shinshiroku by Shigeru Mizuki (Gennai is featured as an eccentric historical figure).
• Onigai Karute Series by Pink Aoya (Gennai appears as a modern-day ghost character).
• Kusari no Kuni by Yukihisa Hoshino (explores a "two Gennai" theory as scientist and gesaku writer brothers).
• Tonegawa Ririka no Jikken-shitsu by Narumi Hasegaki (original story by Aoyagi Aito).
• Isobe Isobee Monogatari by Ryō Nakama.
• Kisōtengai Kabuonkyoku-geki Gennai by Akise Kurosawa and Kensuke Yokouchi.
• Kurogane by Kei Toume (Gennai is the model for Genkichi, a Rangaku scholar who turns the protagonist into a cyborg).
• The light novel Hidan no Aria features Aya Hiraga as a descendant of Gennai.
• Korokoro Soushi by Shintaro Kago features Gennai as a recurring character.

8.2. Film and Television Dramas

Gennai has been portrayed in numerous films and historical dramas:

• Tō, Ima mo Kiezū: Hiraga Gennai (1959, Nippon Television, Gennai: Kōtarō Bandō).
• Tenkagomen (1971, NHK, Gennai: Takashi Yamaguchi) - A satirical drama where Gennai guides viewers through a modern Edo.
• Kikaida 01 (1973, NET Television, Episode 36) - The evil Shadow organization attempts to kidnap Gennai from 1776 to build better robots.
• Naruto Hichō (1977, NHK, Gennai: Takashi Yamaguchi) - Based on Yoshikawa Eiji's novel, features Gennai flying a miniature hot air balloon.
• Utamaro Yume to Shiriseba (1977, Gennai: Ryōhei Uchida) - Appears under the name Fūrai Sanjin.
• Momotarō Samurai (1981, Nippon Television, Episode 226, Gennai: Hiroshi Inuzuka).
• Kage no Gundan II (1981, Kansai Telecasting Corporation, Gennai: Satoshi Yamamura) - Gennai provides scientific assistance to a group of Iga ninja.
• The Hissatsu Series (Asahi Broadcasting Corporation) often anachronistically features Gennai for plots involving modern inventions like hot air balloons.
  • Shigotonin Ahen Sensō e Iku (1983, Gennai: Seiji Miyaguchi) - Gennai is depicted as being imprisoned during the Opium Wars, at the age of 113.
  • Hissatsu Shikinin (1984, Episode 5) - Gennai serves as a judge in an Edo-period flying contest.
• Fūfu Nezumi Konya ga Shōbu! (1984, TV Tokyo, Gennai: Go Wakabayashi).
• Tonderu! Hiraga Gennai (1989, TBS Television, Gennai: Toshiyuki Nishida) - Gennai acts as a detective, solving mysteries in Edo using his vast knowledge.
• Bīdoro de Sōrō: Nagasakiyume Nikki (1990, NHK, Gennai: Takashi Yamaguchi) - A sequel to Tenkagomen.
• Tonosama Fūraibō Kakuretabi (1994, TV Asahi, Gennai: Shōhei Hino).
• Damashie Utamaro III-IV (2013-2014, TV Asahi, Gennai: Takashi Sasano).
• Ōedo Sōsamō 2015 (2015, TV Tokyo, Gennai: Kenji Kobayashi) - Based on the survival theory, Gennai appears as a guardian for a hidden princess.
• Fūunji-tachi: Rangaku Revolution Hen (2018, NHK General, Gennai: Kōji Yamamoto) - A live-action adaptation of Minamoto Tarō's manga.
• Naruto Hichō (2018, NHK General, Gennai: Bokuzō Masana).
• Nomitori Samurai (2018, Gennai: Shōfukutei Tsurukō).
• Ōedo Steampunk (2020, TV Osaka, Gennai: Seiji Rokkaku).
• Ōoku (2023, NHK General, Gennai: Anne Suzuki) - Based on the manga, portraying Gennai as a cross-dressing woman in a gender-reversed Edo.
• Berabō: Tsutajū Eiga no Yume Banashi (2025, NHK General/BS1, Taiga drama, Gennai: Ken Yasuda) - This marks Gennai's first appearance in an NHK Taiga drama.
• Yume Jūya (2007, Episode 10, Gennai: Kōji Ishizaka).
• Naruto Hichō Zenpen Hondō Hen and Kōhen Naruto Hen (1936-1937, Gennai: Hiroshi Mizuno).
• Shōgi Daimyō (1960, Gennai: Hiroshi Mizuno).
• Maruhi Gokuraku Kurenai Benten (1973, Gennai: Hiroshi Nagahiro).

8.3. Anime and Other Media

Gennai's character has been adapted into various animated series, video games, and stage productions:

• Mask of Zeguy (OVA) - Gennai plays a prominent role in protecting a priestess's descendant and preventing a legendary mask from falling into the wrong hands.
• T.P. Sakura (OVA) - Gennai appears alongside his Elekiter.
• Oh! Edo Rocket (Episode 10) - The retired resident of Fūrai Row-House Block is revealed to be Gennai, a nod to one of his pen names.
• Gintama - Features a mechanic named Hiraga Gengai, modeled after Gennai.
• Zero no Tsukaima - The character Hiraga Saito, hailing from Japan, is speculated to be named after Gennai.
• Read or Die - Gennai appears as a clone of a historical figure, using his Elekiter as a destructive weapon.
• Mai-HiME - A giant mechanical frog is named after him.
• Flint the Time Detective - Gennai appears with the Time Shifter Elekin, which he uses to create giant robots.
• Demashita! Powerpuff Girls Z (Episode 30, "Girls and Him!") - A character named Hiraga Kennai creates a primitive form of Chemical Z and uses an Elekiter to separate a demon's soul from its body.
• Digimon Adventure (Episode 13) - An elderly man named Gennai appears to assist the Chosen Children. He reappears younger in Digimon Adventure 02, with his design and name likely inspired by the historical Gennai.
• Sengoku Collection (Episode 6) - Gennai is embodied as a genius but clumsy girl.
• Carried by the Wind: Tsukikage Ran (Episode 7) - Gennai makes an appearance.
• 21 Emon (Episode 15) - Features a story about Hiraga Gennai staying at a fictional traditional inn in Edo.
• Rakugo Tennyo Oyui (anime) - Gennai is voiced by Terasoma Masaki.
• Anmitsu Hime (anime).
• Soreike! Anpanman - Features an inventor character named Karakuri Gunnai.
• Edo-tan (Capcom video game).
• Sengoku Ace (Psikyo video game) - Features a character named Hirano Gennai.
• Ōedo Renaissance (Victor Interactive Software video game) - A government management game where Gennai's inventions develop Edo.
• Ninkyōden Toseinin Ichidaiki (Genki video game) - Features a mission to escort Gennai.
• Eiketsu Taisen (Sega video game) - Gennai is added as a purple general who deals lightning damage based on his Elekiter.
• Live A Live (Square video game) - A mechanic named Gennai creates mechanical traps in the Bakumatsu chapter, an anachronism for historical mash-up.
• Valkyrie Crusade (mobile card game) - Features a female version of Hiraga Gennai as a card.
• Onigiri (free-to-play MMORPG) - Features a female version of Hiraga Gennai as a main quest character and playable partner.
• Critical Role (web series, Call of Cthulhu one-shot) - Gennai is a member of a secret society, and his Elekiter is used to turn on lights.
• Star Trek: Discovery (Season 3, Episode 9) - A starship named USS Hiraga Gennai is mentioned.
• Ōedo Hyakki Yagyō (大江戸百鬼夜行_{Ōedo Hyakki Yagyō}^Japanese) (theater) - A musical by Hisashi Inoue, first performed in 1970, known for its extensive research and wordplay.
• Gennai: Naotake o Sodateta Otoko (げんないー直武を育てた男_{Gennai: Naotake o Sodateta Otoko}^Japanese) (musical by Warabiza).

9.1. Memorial Museums and Institutions

• Hiraga Gennai Memorial Museum (平賀源内記念館_{Hiraga Gennai Kinenkan}^Japanese) and Hiraga Gennai Sensei Ihinkan (平賀源内先生遺品館_{Hiraga Gennai Sensei Ihinkan}^Japanese) are located in Shido, Sanuki, Kagawa. These museums showcase Gennai's inventions, literary works, and historical documents, including letters between him and Sugita Genpaku. The Hiraga Gennai Memorial Museum, which opened in 2009, also serves as a venue for the Hiraga Gennai Festival. It is conveniently located about a five-minute walk from Shido Station.
• Hiraga Gennai's Seishi (生祠_seishi^Japanese, living shrine) is located in Tomonoura, Fukuyama, Hiroshima. This shrine, a Hiroshima Prefectural Historic Site, was erected to honor Gennai during his lifetime, a rare form of tribute for individuals who were still alive.

9.2. Commemorative Events and Awards

• Gennai Award: Established in 1994 through a fund donated by the Elekiter Ozaki Foundation, the Gennai Award is jointly presented by Sanuki City (formerly Shido Town) and the foundation. It recognizes and encourages scientific researchers within the Shikoku region, with awards presented annually in March.
• Hiraga Gennai Festival: Held annually in Sanuki City, this festival commemorates Gennai's life and achievements.
• Hiraga Gennai Exhibitions: Major exhibitions dedicated to Hiraga Gennai have been held across Japan, featuring reconstructed models of his inventions and historical artifacts. Notable exhibitions include those held at the Edo-Tokyo Museum (2003-2004), Tohoku History Museum (2004), Okazaki City Museum of Art (2004), Fukuoka City Museum (2004), and Kagawa Prefectural Museum (2004).