However, when form of studies referred to as western studies (Dutch studies) which sought to directly obtain knowledge through books from Europe started, the traditional way of studies (studies typical of Japan as well as studies introduced from China) had come to be referred to as 'koukangaku' to distinguish from western studies.
ところが、ヨーロッパの書籍から直接知識を得ようとする洋学（蘭学）が出現するようになると、従来の学問（日本固有の学術及び中国伝来の学術）はこれと区別する意味で「皇漢学（こうかんがく）」と称されるようになる。