Reference; https://mbp-japan.com/tokyo/seino-1987/column/5103332/
Modified and translated by CFJA
(Bonus)
Sorei Yanagiya is said to be ‘the master of the Showa period’, as he has caused a great impact in the field of acumoxa in Japan during the Showa period. The three mainstream Japanese acupuncture techniques are said to be the following:
1) Hineribari jyutsu 撚鍼（ひねりばり）術 (twisting acupuncture technique) from China.
2) Uchibari jyutsu 打鍼（うちばり）術 (hammering acupuncture technique) by Isai Misono.
3) Kudabari jyutsu 管鍼（くだばり）術 (tube acupuncture technique) by Waichi Sugiyama.
Sorei Yanagiya was emphasizing the importance of these traditional techniques. Dr. Seino feels that if he were to select three contemporary masters in the field of acumoxa in Japan, they would be Isai Misono, Waichi Sugiyama, and Sorei Yanagiya.
Sorei Yanagiya 柳谷素霊 was born in Aomori City in Aomori Prefecture. Dr. Seino was born in Namioka Town, which is right beside Aomori City, and has now merged with Aomori City. In other words, they were born in the same town. Sorei Yanagiya’s real name is Kiyosuke. He took the first character from the title of the classics, Suwen 素問 (Jp. Somon) and Lingshu 霊枢 (Jp. Reisu), and named himself, Sorei 素霊. He emphasized the importance of the classics. He was born in 1906 (the 39th year of the Meiji period) and passed away in February 1959 at the age of 54. Dr. Seino was born in the following year. In 1957 (the 32th year of the Showa period), the year when Cheng Dan’an passed away, Sorei Yanagiya established the Toyo Acupuncture and Moxibustion Specialized School 東洋鍼灸専門学校 in Shinjuku and became its first president. Although his life was not long, the achievements he left behind are immeasurable. The great masters who shaped current acumoxa therapy in Japan and China had already passed away before Dr. Seino was born.
In 2009, the “Sorei Memorial Hall 素霊記念館” was established within the Eastern Acupuncture and Moxibustion College 東洋鍼灸専門学校. It is a well-established memorial hall showcasing achievements of the individuals. After a grand forum, Dr. Seino had the honor of delivering the first lecture to the students at that building. Perhaps, this was fate. He was nominated by the school president (the 6th president) at that time, Dr. Shohachi Tanzawa, the Doctor of Medicine and former president of The Japan Society of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (JSAM). Since, Dr. Seino is from Aomori and was born the year after Sorei Yanagiya passed away, he considers himself a reincarnation of Sorei Yanagiya. He feels that he is doing something similar to what Sorei Yanagiya did – he has been aiming to systematize acumoxa therapy, which can be said to be the first in history.
Side note, Dr. Seino emphasizes the importance on hineribari jyutsu 撚鍼術 (twisting acupuncture technique) and kudabari jyutsu管鍼術 (tube acupuncture technique). His teacher for kudabari jyutsu管鍼術is Meiyu Okada, the 9th head of the Sugiyama School.
Next time, we will discuss Cheng Dan’an’s approach to acupuncture techniques.
(To be continued…)
Bibliography:
(1) “An Interview with Professor Zhang Jianbin of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine: The Influence of Cheng Dan’an and Chengjiang School on Modern Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture” in “Clinical Traditional Chinese Medicine,” Vol. 36, No. 3 (Issue No. 142), pp. 136-147, Oriental Academic Publishing Company.
(2) “Cheng Dan’an Acupuncture and Moxibustion Experience Collection,” edited by Xiang Ping and Xia Youbing, Shanghai Science and Technology Press, October 2004.
(3) “Science of Acupuncture and Moxibustion: Practical Techniques,” authored by Yanagita Sorei, Medical Dental Pharmaceutical Company, March 1959.
(4) “Sugiyama Shindenryu Acupuncture Method 18 Techniques and Materials Collection,” edited by the Japan Traditional Medicine Association, March 1999.
(5) “Sugiyama Shindenryu Omote no Maki” written by Shimaura Wadaichi, annotated by Daiohara Jikan, Daiohara Jikan, 2004.
(6) “Sugiyama Shindenryu Clinical Guide,” edited by Daiohara Jikan, Rokuzensha Publishing Company, 2007.
(7) “Acupuncture and Moxibustion Practical Skills (Fundamental Edition),” edited by the Association of Oriental Therapy School, Textbook Writing Subcommittee, published by Medical Publishing of Japan, April 1992.
(8) “Return to Yanagita Sorei: Examining Showa Acupuncture and Moxibustion through Footprints and Thoughts,” Tokyo Acupuncture School Forum Project, published by Medical Publishing of Japan, July 2009.
(9) “Acupuncture and Moxibustion Practical Techniques: Revised Edition,” published by Sorin Gakuin Oriental Acupuncture and Moxibustion Specialized School Publishing Department, 2008.
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