Nasal and Orbital Epitheses in Japan Until Early Modern Times

Loss of facial features can result from a variety of traumatic events. Throughout history, humans have worked to develop materials and methods to repair such defects. Epithesis first appeared in medical literature in the 16th century. In Japan, wooden dentures were used during the first half of the 16th century. This review outlines the history of maxillofacial prosthetics and discusses the possibility of nasal and orbital epithesis creation in Japan until early modern times. Craftsmen in Japan with sophisticated skills specialized in the production of Buddhist statues, Noh masks, and Netsukes, and in the Edo period, they also specialized in the production of artificial noses and eyes. Although evidence in books, flyers, and paintings suggests the insertion of epitheses, no physical trace has been found that were actually used. This lack of physical evidence may be attributed to the deterioration and corrosion of the wooden material, making it undetectable over time. In the future, examination of the orbit, nasal cavity, and oral cavity with extreme care when excavating human bones, traces of such epitheses may be identified.