Gender and Hierarchical Differences in Lead‐Contaminated Japanese Bone from the Edo Period

Abstract

Gender and Hierarchical Differences in Lead-Contaminated Japanese Bone from the Edo Period: Tamiji NAKASHIMA, et aL Department of Anatomy and Anthropology, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan-Objectives: We analyzed lead concentrations in bones from both genders of the Japanese samurai class and compared findings with those of the farmer and fisherman classes in the Edo period (1603-1867) to clarify gender and hierarchical (or occupational) differences in lead exposure during the Japanese feudal age. Methods: Tests were performed by atomic absorption. Results: Female samurai bones (30.5,ug Pb/g dry bone) showed higher lead concentrations than male samurai bones (15.6jg Pb/g dry bone), but these differences were not significant. This tendency was also seen in the farmer and fisherman classes (male: 1.0jg Pb/g dry bone; female: 1.7,ug Pb/g dry bone). Strong hierarchical differences between samurai and farmer/fisherman classes were seen in both genders in this study (p< 0.001). One of the female samples from the Samurai class, who was a daughter of the 6th feudal lord in Kokura (Japan), had 945.5 jig Pb/g dry bone. Conclusion: The samurai class were the aristocrats of society. We assume that facial cosmetics (white lead) comprised one of the main routes of lead exposure among the samurai class, because cosmetics were a luxury in that period. (J Occup Health 1998; 40: 55-60)

Lifestyle‐Determined Gender and Hierarchical Differences in the Lead Contamination of Bones from a Feudal Town of the Edo Period

“…For comparison with these values, previously reported data 4) , the mean values of samurai (ruler class of Kokura domain) and farmer and fishermen classes (excavated at Goto Island) have been added to this table. The male mean (n=31) was 39.9 µg Pb/g dry bone and the female (n=20) was 90.8 µg Pb/g dry bone in the merchant class.…”

“…The manufacture and use of (Nakashima et al, 1998) significant: ***p<0.001,**p<0.01,*p<0.05, ns: not significant The burial method at the Kyo-Machi site consisted of interment (male-a) and burial pods (male-b). All female remains were found in a burial mound.…”

“…One of the major epochs in Japanese history, the Edo period is distinguished by the fact that for more than two centuries (from 1638 to 1864) Japan enjoyed freedom from warfare at home and abroad. About 400 years ago, people lived under less polluted conditions than the contemporary atmosphere and environment in Japan; however, we reported that an extremely polluted population lived in a castle town in Japan in that less contaminated and peaceful period 4) . They were a feudal lord family and their retainers.…”

“…Farmer class samples were excavated at the Kami-Shozu site 6) and were all buried in a mound. To compare merchant and farmer classes, the mean values of a previous study 4) were used. These were samurai (Sohgenji site 7) ) and farmer and fisherman (Tohgashima Shirahama site 8) , called Goto Island site for short, a rural area about 200 Km south west from Kokura) classes.…”

“…In a previous study, we analyzed the lead concentrations in bones from both genders of the samurai class (Ogasawara family and their retainers) and compared the findings with those of farmer and fishermen classes (people living in very rural areas far from Kokura) in the Edo period 4) . In this study, we analyzed lead concentrations in bones from both genders of the merchant (including rohnin) and farmer classes living within Ogasawara's feudal domain in the Edo period.…”