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 N akashima , 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 μ g Pb/g dry bone) showed higher lead concentrations than male samurai bones (15.6 μ g Pb/g dry bone), but these differences were not significant. This tendency was also seen in the farmer and fisherman classes (male: 1.0 μ g Pb/g dry bone; female: 1.7 μ g 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 μ g 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.