The Physical Anthropology of the Ryukyuans

Abstract

According to the census of Oct. 1, 1940, Okinawa Prefecture had a population of 574, 579 (270, 680 males, 303, 899 females), the density of which was 241 per 1 ckm. Almost all of these people are the socalled Ryukyuans. Anthropological studies of their physique were carried out by Japanese scholars from 1927 to 1941. Their interest, however, did not cover all fields, being concentrated mainly on anthropometry, dermatoglyphics, and blood-groups. The study of morphological and functional traits of the Ryukyuans has made it clear that they are within the range of variation of the Japanese in general and can be regarded as the Japanese distributed in the southernmost part of Japan. Although plenty of body hair and axillary odor are the most conspicuous characteristics peculiar to the Ryukyuans, it must be noted that these two physical traits are rarely found in the peoples of East Asia, except for Japanese, who have them in comparatively high frequency. Therefore it will be inadequate to think of a relationship of the Ryukyuans to the Ainu on the grounds of body hair and axillary oder only. Physically the Ryukyuans are virtually identical with the Japanese.