UEDA AKINARI-MORAL PRINCIPLES AND MEDICINE
UEDA AKINARI-MORAL PRINCIPLES AND MEDICINE

Summary/Abstract: Although he came from a disadvantaged background, Ueda Akinari (1734-1809) was fortunate enough to be adopted by a wealthy family of paper merchants who could afford to support his education. The fact that he survived smallpox as a child, although the consequences left him with deformed hands, would influence not only Akinari's worldview and choice of future profession, but also his artistic inclinations. Married, despite family’s opposition, to a maid, called O'Tama, the younger Akinari devotes himself to writing. As an adult, however, the style Akinari would adopt was that of high fiction. For a decade after his adoptive father's death, Akinari felt compelled to continue the family business. But lack of mercantile spirit and an incident with a fire caused the business to collapse. Besides losing the family business, the first blow came in 1776 when Umaki, his friend and mentor, died. The deep feelings the doctor had for the learned would be shaken by this sudden death.

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