In ancient times, people feared or worshiped malformed individuals as gods. The oldest sculpture of malformation (around 6500 BC) was found in Turkey. Hippocrates proposed the mechanistic theory as a cause of malformations. In Greek mythology, some monsters were based on real malformations (for instance, cyclopia and hermaphroditism). In old Peru, oligodactyl figures are found in Nazca lines, earthenware and textiles. In China, Shen Nong (shinnou), one of the oldest legendary emperors, was described as having a human body with an ox head. Some minor anomalies such as webbed fingers are seen in the Buddha. In Japan, a dogu (clay figure) from the Mid-Jomon period (around 4500 BC) was found showing a median cleft lip. In the Kofun period, some haniwa (clay images) exhibited a median cleft lip. Interesting descriptions of congenital anomalies are noted in classical literature such as Kojiki, Nihonshoki and Izumonokuni-fudoki. In Ishinpou, the oldest medical encyclopedia, examples of foods pregnant women should not take are listed. In Yamainosoushi, a national treasure picture scroll from around the 12th century, excellent representations of hermaphroditism and albinism are included. Approaching the modem era, Ambroise Pare wrote "On monsters and marvels" in 1573. Abraham Trembley using hydra in 1740 conducted the first experimental embryological work. Isidore Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire coined the term teratology in 1832. Experimental teratology in mammals has been conducted since the beginning of the 20th century. It is to be emphasized that Ryuzo Kodama, an ophthalmologist in Sendai, Japan, reported eye malformations in rabbits induced by naphthalene in 1913. The 1961 thalidomide episode brought great progress in teratology. It is hoped that every researcher engaged in the study of teratology will look back on the long history of congenital anomalies.