poisons

Are you aware of any poisons a samurai might have used for an assassination?My son is writing a mystery story and needs some accurate information. The setting is 14th century Japan.Thank you


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--- In samuraihistory@yahoogroups.com, Liz Scott wrote:

>
> Are you aware of any poisons a samurai might have used for an

assassination?My son is writing a mystery story and needs some
accurate information. The setting is 14th century Japan.Thank you

>
>

How about blowfish poison?

If the assassin in your son's story is using shuriken to assassinate
his victims, he most likely wouldn't use poison. The rust of the blades
in that time period would be enough to kill a victim. If he's using a
blow gun or something along those lines, my guess is that the poison
would be made from some sort of plants. Blowfish poison might be a good
guess, but I'm not so sure. Hope this helps.

--- In samuraihistory@yahoogroups.com, "Kitsuno" listowner@...> wrote:

>
> --- In samuraihistory@yahoogroups.com, Liz Scott wrote:
> >
> > Are you aware of any poisons a samurai might have used for an
> assassination?My son is writing a mystery story and needs some
> accurate information. The setting is 14th century Japan.Thank you
> >
> >
>
> How about blowfish poison?
>

There was a poison used that was distilled from the Chrysanthemum. The active chemical ingrediants are naturally ocurring pyrethrins. No known antidote. Nasty stuff.

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I am sure your paper has been written by now,
but I wouldn't forget lead which was common and a good slow death,
arsenic which was made into little balls and left in the corners of
your rooms for mice and rats to nibble on and Japan had a variety of
poison mushrooms available as well.
as far as the honor thing goes the Japanese were not above poisoning
people even in the highest positions, I might say especially in the
highest positions. A number of emperors were suspected of being
poisoned. So much so that his diet became highly ritualized with
careful checks by others before he could partake. The was true for the
Tokugawa shoguns whose diet was very restricted, avoiding extremes of
temperature, and indgredient. Mostly bland soups with only the
occasional treat at times of ritual celebration. (Sometimes it is not
so good to be at the top...)
Oiwa-san of the Yotsuya Kaidan was given some really nasty poison that
not only took her life but twisted and disfugured her before doing so.
You might look that up.
My favorite is the story from the Date Sôdô, wherein the faithful
page-boy steals and eats the poison mochi meant for his young lord.
His mother who was wet nurse to the child Daimyo must sit motionless
as her son is executed for his rude action even as he writhes about in
pain from the poison.
-t

Thank you everyone for your great ideas. All have been most helpful. This mystery story is a year-long project so revisions will be made regularly. There is much research to be done and we will keep you posted if we find out anything valuable. Peace, liz


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