This paper analyzes how the word 'science' was translated into kagaku 科學 during the early Meiji period. The kagaku was a new word to symbolize how Japanese intellectuals understood 'science'－a unique creation in the West－during the Meiji period. Different translations of 'science' in articles and dictionaries by different authors, especially the effort by Nishi Amane 西周, are analyzed to illustrate what Japanese intellectuals during the period pursued in order to differentiate themselves from Neo－Confucian scholars. The new understanding of gaku 學 and li 理 in a new intellectual environment is discussed further in detail. During the process 'science' became separated from general learning (學) and philosophy (哲學) to be a specific learning that primarily investigates nature.