Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study aims to estimate the average life expectancy of the Tokugawa Shogun family by analyzing historical documents. The data is also compared to modern Japanese life expectancy figures. METHODS: The lifespan of members of the Tokugawa Shogun family is estimated based on data from Edo-period documents. We assess survival rates by age, sex, and other factors. Lunar calendar dates are converted into solar calendar dates, and birth years are counted as age 0 to ensure that the estimated life expectancy is comparable to modern Japanese estimates, free from bias. RESULTS: The mean life expectancy at birth for males in the Tokugawa Shogun family is 20.93±25.03 years, and for females, it is 20.53±25.16 years. The pooled result for both sexes is 20.75±25.00 years. CONCLUSIONS: The life expectancy of the Tokugawa Shogun family is lower than that of modern Japanese, despite their status as the supreme elite class in Edo-period Japan. This reduced life expectancy is primarily attributed to high infant mortality rates, though survival rates for individuals aged 10 and above remained relatively consistent.