735–737 Japanese smallpox epidemic
735–737 Japanese smallpox epidemic | |
---|---|
Disease | Smallpox |
Location | Japan |
Dates | 735–737 CE |
Deaths | 1 million |
The 735–737 Japanese smallpox epidemic (天平の疫病大流行, Tenpyō no ekibyō dairyūkō, "Epidemic of the Tenpyō era") was a major smallpox epidemic that afflicted much of Japan. Killing approximately one third (around 1 million individuals) of the entire Japanese population, the epidemic had significant social, economic, and religious repercussions throughout the country.[1][2]
Origins
A few decades prior to the outbreak, Japanese court officials had adopted the Chinese policy of reporting disease outbreaks among the general population.[3] This recording practice greatly facilitated the identification of smallpox as the disease that afflicted Japan during the years 735–737.[4]
Increased contact and trade between Japan and the Asian mainland, directly and through Korea, had led to more frequent and serious outbreaks of infectious diseases, including smallpox.
Also in the year 736, a group of Japanese governmental officials passed through northern Kyushu while the epidemic was intensifying. As members of the party sickened and died, the group abandoned its intended mission to the Korean peninsula. Returning to the capital with smallpox, the officials helped spread the disease to eastern Japan and
Based on fiscal reports, adult mortality for the smallpox epidemic of 735–737 has been estimated at 25–35% of Japan's entire population, with some areas experiencing much higher rates.[12] All levels of society were affected. Many court nobles died due to smallpox in 737, including all four brothers of the politically powerful Fujiwara clan: Fujiwara no Muchimaro (680–737), Fujiwara no Fusasaki (681–737), Fujiwara no Umakai (694–737), and Fujiwara no Maro (695–737). Their sudden departure from the royal court allowed for the ascension of noted rival Tachibana no Moroe to a high official position in the court of Emperor Shōmu.[11]
The epidemic not only killed a large segment of the population, it triggered significant dislocation, migration, and imbalance of labor throughout Japan. Highly affected occupations included construction and farming, especially rice cultivation.[13]
Aftermath
In addition to the granting of tax waivers, Japan's nobles took other unprecedented actions in response to the effects of the epidemic to help stem widespread population migration and to reinvigorate the farming communities. For example, several years after the smallpox epidemic had run its course, the Japanese leaders attempted to stimulate agricultural productivity by offering private land ownership to those willing to work farmland.[14]
Also around this time Emperor Shōmu, who felt personally responsible for the tragedy, greatly increased the official support of Buddhism by commissioning the construction of the grand temple Tōdai-ji and its Daibutsu. He also provided significant financial support for the construction of other provincial temples (the kokubunji (国分寺)), statues, and related religious structures throughout the country.[7][15] The cost to cast the Daibutsu alone has been said to have nearly bankrupted the country.[16]
Over the next several centuries, Japan continued to experience smallpox epidemics. But by the early part of the 2nd millennium, smallpox had become endemic to the Japanese population and thus less devastating during outbreaks.[17]
See also
References
- ^ Sam, Regi (February 2022). "TRACKING THE CHRONOLOGY OF EPIDEMICS AND PANDEMICS". Journal of Natural Remedies. 21 (3): 100–105 – via ResearchGate.
- ^ "The Spread of Disease along the Silk Roads: Smallpox". en.unesco.org. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
- ISBN 9780674690059.
- JSTOR 4565307.
- ^ "History of Smallpox | Smallpox | CDC". www.cdc.gov. 2021-02-21. Retrieved 2022-11-25.
- ISBN 9780691609935.
- ^ ISBN 9780226351681.
- ISBN 9780674690059.
- ISBN 9780691609935.
- ISBN 9780674690059.
- ^ ISBN 9780674690059.
- ISBN 9780674690059.
- ^ "Diseases of the Premodern Period in Japan". Retrieved 2018-11-10.
- ISBN 9780674690059.
- ISBN 9780674690059.
- ^ Bamforth, Chris (May 26, 2006), "The capital delights of Nara", The Japan Times
- ISBN 9780691609935.