This thesis focusses on the craftsmen of late feudal Japan that were responsible for handling dead animals and making objects from them. This subject has received little attention because of the...Show moreThis thesis focusses on the craftsmen of late feudal Japan that were responsible for handling dead animals and making objects from them. This subject has received little attention because of the ritual pollution related to dead animals in Japan from early historic times. This ritual pollution caused these craftsmen to be treated as outcasts in the late feudal period and their contemporary offspring is unofficially also still regarded as polluted. This has discouraged research inside Japan on this subject and most of the knowledge regarding this topic comes from historical and anthropological research executed by foreign researchers. A better understanding of these craftsmen will not only help fill in knowledge of their techniques and society, but knowledge about their production techniques can also help with the development of better conservation methods for artefacts made of animal remains in museums. This thesis discusses what information can be gained about these craftsmen with archaeological research by looking at textual research, excavations and the analysis of artefacts made with animal remains. The part based on textual research shows that there is a limit to the information that can be gained about these craftsmen from historical texts. Furthermore no production site of these craftsmen has been identified in excavations so far. Both the humid climate of Japan, that causes animal remains to quickly decay, as well as the taboo concerning this topic are considerable hindrances in identifying such a site. The analyses of artefacts in this paper looks at a painting, an armour and a tobacco set from late feudal Japan. These provide information regarding the required materials, trade, production and cooperation with other craftsmen that was necessary to produce such objects. The analysis was limited to visual analysis only, so much more information is expected to be gained by future in depth analyses of similar artefacts.Show less
