A terhesség és magzatkép az Edo-kor második felében

Abstract

In this paper I analyze primary sources to reveal the image of the fetus inthe second half of 18th century Japan. While discussing the topic in general,I focus mainly on the decrees issued by Matsudaira Sadanobu to reducemabiki (infanticide). Through official texts we can approach not only the imageof the fetus, but also people’s opinion about childbirth and pregnancy. I point out that the Kansei period was a turning point in both the regulations issuedby the authorities and the general image of the fetus shared by commonpeople. I argue that we find the reason of the new mabiki policy of the periodin the Tokugawa shogunate’s social system and economic problems. In thesecond half of the 18th century the regime had to re-evaluate birth controland social welfare. This new political atmosphere clearly influenced people’sideas. The growing interest in children at the timeemerges in Santō Kyōden’sliterary works. Though killing the fetus or the newborn child was a seriousand sad event for the parents, Kyōden could encode the topic in a form thatcould be laughed at. Therefore, reading offered a kind of solution to theconflict that appeared between in the real dangers of giving birth, and theconcrete difficulties of everyday life.