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The elephants about which the most is known were a pair that arrived in Japan in the 6th month of [[1728]]. They were brought from [[Quang Nam]] by the Chinese merchant Zhèng Dàchéng ([[鄭]]大成) or Zhèng Dàwēi (大威), apparently at the request of Shogun [[Tokugawa Yoshimune]]. The female died in [[Nagasaki]] about 3 months later, but the male was sent to Edo. He was then about 6 years old. According to instructions issued for his journey along the [[Sanyodo|Sanyôdô]] and the [[Tokaido|Tôkaidô]], he was about 7 ''[[Japanese Measurements|shaku]]'' high, 11 ''shaku'' long, and 4 ''shaku'' wide (2.1m x 3.3m x 1.2m). He ate bamboo leaves, green grass (180 kg or 400 lb per day), and hay. People were allowed to gather to look at him, but only at intersections, and not along the streets; they could follow the procession, but not get in front of it, and they could not look down upon the procession from second story windows. Some of these were the same prescriptions issued during any official procession; most of all, the concern was to not frighten or panic the animal.<ref>[[Marius Jansen]], ''China in the Tokugawa World'', Harvard University Press (1992), 38.</ref>

The elephants about which the most is known were a pair that arrived in Japan in the 6th month of [[1728]]. They were brought from [[Quang Nam]] by the Chinese merchant Zhèng Dàchéng ([[鄭]]大成) or Zhèng Dàwēi (大威), apparently at the request of Shogun [[Tokugawa Yoshimune]]. The female died in [[Nagasaki]] about 3 months later, but the male was sent to Edo. He was then about 6 years old. According to instructions issued for his journey along the [[Sanyodo|Sanyôdô]] and the [[Tokaido|Tôkaidô]], he was about 7 ''[[Japanese Measurements|shaku]]'' high, 11 ''shaku'' long, and 4 ''shaku'' wide (2.1m x 3.3m x 1.2m). He ate bamboo leaves, green grass (180 kg or 400 lb per day), and hay. People were allowed to gather to look at him, but only at intersections, and not along the streets; they could follow the procession, but not get in front of it, and they could not look down upon the procession from second story windows. Some of these were the same prescriptions issued during any official procession; most of all, the concern was to not frighten or panic the animal.<ref>[[Marius Jansen]], ''China in the Tokugawa World'', Harvard University Press (1992), 38.</ref>

This elephant left Nagasaki for [[Edo]] in [[1729]]/2, and was granted an imperial audience with [[Emperor Nakamikado]] and Retired [[Emperor Reigen]] in [[Kyoto]], being bestowed the Fourth [[Court Rank]] in order to do so. The entourage then went through the [[Hakone]] check-point, and after a journey of about 3 1/2 months reached Edo and was viewed by the shogun on 5/27. After that he was housed in the shogunal property at [[Hama Rikyu|Shiba no Hama]]. However, he cost 200 ''[[currency|ryô]]'' per year to feed, and less than a year later, the ''bakufu'' tried to turn him over to the private sector, but there were no suitable takers. The elephant then came to be used as a source of medicine. There were several epidemics of measles and smallpox in that period, and the shogunate was actively promoting the manufacture of a medicine made from cattle dung. Apparently it was decided that elephant dung would also work. The medicine made from the dung was called ''zô-hora'' 象洞 (lit. "elephant cavity"). A group headed by a man named Gensuke 源助 asked for permission to sell it as a commercial product. They hoped to distribute it so "everyone throughout the land, even those of lowest degree," could enjoy its benefits; the price per package was 10 ''mon''. So, the elephant lived a quiet life as a medicine maker, occasionally being put on display.

This elephant left Nagasaki for [[Edo]] in [[1729]]/2,<ref>An entry in the ''[[Nakamura ke nikki]]'', from the port-town of [[Tomonoura]], corroborates the 1728/6 date, and relates that the party escorting the elephant stayed at [[Kannabe]] (a post-station in [[Hiroshima prefecture]]) on 2/25, departing the following day. ''Nakamura ke nikki II - Fukuyama shi jûyô bunkazai'', Fukuyama Castle Museum Tomo-no-kai (2008), 41.</ref> and was granted an imperial audience with [[Emperor Nakamikado]] and Retired [[Emperor Reigen]] in [[Kyoto]], being bestowed the Fourth [[Court Rank]] in order to do so. The entourage then went through the [[Hakone]] check-point, and after a journey of about 3 1/2 months reached Edo and was viewed by the shogun on 5/27. After that he was housed in the shogunal property at [[Hama Rikyu|Shiba no Hama]]. However, he cost 200 ''[[currency|ryô]]'' per year to feed, and less than a year later, the ''bakufu'' tried to turn him over to the private sector, but there were no suitable takers. The elephant then came to be used as a source of medicine. There were several epidemics of measles and smallpox in that period, and the shogunate was actively promoting the manufacture of a medicine made from cattle dung. Apparently it was decided that elephant dung would also work. The medicine made from the dung was called ''zô-hora'' 象洞 (lit. "elephant cavity"). A group headed by a man named Gensuke 源助 asked for permission to sell it as a commercial product. They hoped to distribute it so "everyone throughout the land, even those of lowest degree," could enjoy its benefits; the price per package was 10 ''mon''. So, the elephant lived a quiet life as a medicine maker, occasionally being put on display.

Some accounts indicate that the elephant died only a few months later, in [[1730]],<ref>Jansen, 38-39.</ref> but according to others, he lived on into the 1740s. According to that narrative, by [[1741]] he was getting aggressive and large (14 ft. tall, from shoulders down 9 feet, with a trunk of 7 feet), and there was concern about fire, so he was moved to Nakano village, where Gensuke lived. A very sturdy stable with a dry moat was built for him. But the shogunate was still interested in his welfare. Two months after he moved, a ''[[doshin|dôshin]]'' was sent unannounced to check up on him. A report was made to Yoshimune's close confidant [[Kano Hisamichi|Kanô Hisamichi]]<!--加納久通--> that the elephant was doing well.

Some accounts indicate that the elephant died only a few months later, in [[1730]],<ref>Jansen, 38-39.</ref> but according to others, he lived on into the 1740s. According to that narrative, by [[1741]] he was getting aggressive and large (14 ft. tall, from shoulders down 9 feet, with a trunk of 7 feet), and there was concern about fire, so he was moved to Nakano village, where Gensuke lived. A very sturdy stable with a dry moat was built for him. But the shogunate was still interested in his welfare. Two months after he moved, a ''[[doshin|dôshin]]'' was sent unannounced to check up on him. A report was made to Yoshimune's close confidant [[Kano Hisamichi|Kanô Hisamichi]]<!--加納久通--> that the elephant was doing well.