What If Tokugawa Ieyasu Lived in Modern Tokyo? A Health Perspective

If Tokugawa Ieyasu Were Alive in Modern Tokyo

Imagine if Tokugawa Ieyasu, the legendary shogun, suddenly appeared in today's bustling Tokyo. While he was accustomed to summer temperatures ranging from 28 to 32 degrees Celsius during the Edo period, today's summers often soar well above 38 degrees, with pollution levels like PM2.5 and dioxins that were nonexistent in his time. How would he adapt? Would he even survive?

The Shocking Reality of Survival

A recent column published by Dog Diner Corporation, based in Akasaka, Tokyo, has posed this question from a historical perspective. Research has estimated that if a person from Ieyasu's time were transported to the present, their survival rate would dramatically decrease, lasting only 3-5 years. The top three most likely causes of death include:
1. Smallpox (with no immunity)
2. Dysentery, cholera, and infectious gastroenteritis (without antibiotics)
3. Sepsis originating from periodontal disease

Among these, periodontal disease stands out as an alarming risk. Following the success of modern vaccines, diseases like smallpox and cholera have seen substantial reductions. However, periodontal disease remains a considerable concern, with no definitive cure still available as of 2026. Despite humanity navigating to the moon and AI creating amazing art, once contracted, periodontal disease is challenging to eradicate.

The Impact on Pets: A Growing Concern

The ramifications of oral health extend beyond just humans. According to the American Veterinary Dental College, about 80% of dogs over the age of three are already suffering from periodontal disease. While humans can take proactive steps to maintain oral hygiene, animals such as dogs and cats cannot. A study from Banfield Pet Hospital indicates that dogs with advanced periodontal disease have a mortality risk increased by approximately 1.4 to 1.6 times compared to their healthier counterparts.