Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Anatomical illustrations from Edo-period Japan, 1603-1868













All of the images you see above are drawn from a simply marvelous collection of anatomical illustrations tracing the evolution of medical knowledge in Japan during the Edo period (1603-1868) as found on the Pink Tentacle website.

To see the complete set of images (well worth it, I promise!) and read more about them, check out the original piece by clicking here.

Brief captions, top to bottom:
  1. Pregnancy illustrations, circa 1860
  2. Anatomical illustrations (artist/date unknown)
  3. Kaishihen (Dissection Notes), 1772
  4. Breast cancer treatment, 1809
  5. Zoku Yōka Hiroku (Sequel to Confidential Notes on the Treatment of Skin Growths), 1859
  6. Zoku Yōka Hiroku (Sequel to Confidential Notes on the Treatment of Skin Growths), 1859
  7. Zoku Yōka Hiroku (Sequel to Confidential Notes on the Treatment of Skin Growths), 1859
  8. Female dissection, 1774
  9. Female dissection, 1774
  10. Illustration from 1759 edition of Zōzu
  11. Kaishihen (Dissection Notes), 1772
  12. Seyakuin Kainan Taizōzu (circa 1798)

2 comments:

Harnett-Hargrove said...

Creepy and captivating.-J

Anonymous said...

As always, japanese art has a very unique way of looking at things... although I must say that as beautiful as it looks, it shouldn't have been very helpful for a medical student.