darksilenceinsuburbia: Japanese Anatomical Illustrations. Edo Period (1603-1868). Illustration from 1759 edition of Zōzu. These illustrations are from a 1754 edition of a book entitled Zōzu, which documented the first human dissection in Japan, performed by Tōyō Yamawaki in 1750. Although human dissection had previously been prohibited in Japan, authorities granted Yamawaki permission to cut up the body of an executed criminal in the name of science. The actual carving was done by a hired assistant, as it was still considered taboo for certain classes of people to handle human remains.

darksilenceinsuburbia:

Japanese Anatomical Illustrations. Edo Period (1603-1868). Illustration from 1759 edition of Zōzu.

These illustrations are from a 1754 edition of a book entitled Zōzu, which documented the first human dissection in Japan, performed by Tōyō Yamawaki in 1750. Although human dissection had previously been prohibited in Japan, authorities granted Yamawaki permission to cut up the body of an executed criminal in the name of science.

The actual carving was done by a hired assistant, as it was still considered taboo for certain classes of people to handle human remains.