Bizarre Smallpox Illustration from The Japanese Manuscript, ca. 1720

This captivating watercolor illustration is a page from “Toshin seiyo” (The Essentials of Smallpox), a two-volume Japanese manuscript on smallpox.

Created by renowned physician Kanda Gensen (c.1670-1746), the manuscript is filled with vividly colored illustrations depicting various symptoms of the disease. Interestingly, each illustration was painted on separate sheets of paper and then meticulously cut and pasted into the manuscript.

The text of “Toshin seiyo” was further refined by Enokimoto Gensho, a contemporary physician, whose contributions added to the medical knowledge of the time. Kanda Gensen was a distinguished figure known for his illustrated works on natural science and medical materials, showcasing his dedication to both art and medicine.

h/t: vintag.es