고대 일본 의사(醫師)의 기능과 역할

Abstract

In this paper, the role of doctors who worked in ancient Japan was examined in detail by dividing them into domestic and overseas. First of all, the Tengyoryo doctor was in charge of the treatment and examination of the imperial family and management, and was dispatched to Daigakuryo and Kuraryo. In addition, doctors were installed in departments that escorted the emperor or defended the palace, and strategic points such as Dazaifu and Tsushima. In addition, doctors were trained in the provinces to treat the people affected by the epidemic. Looking at this, it can be seen that domestic doctors faithfully performed the role of “examining and treating all diseases” as stipulated in the Ritsuryo.
 Subsequently, Engishiki lists the combination drugs and herbal medicines paid to the envoys, and the doctors in the envoys judged that they would have used these drugs to treat other envoys who were sick. Doctors dispatched to Bokkai took a lot of medicine compared to doctors dispatched to Tang and Silla because the voyage between Japan and Bokkai was so rough. And it could be seen that it was the doctor's main job to treat a group of envoys suffering from various diseases caused by a rough voyage. And it was found that the doctor's medical skills at the time were very excellent in that even highly toxic herbicides were used.
 In conclusion, ancient Japanese doctors were very active in various ways, not only in the central government and provinces but also abroad, and were very actively engaged in treatment.