Reference; https://mbp-japan.com/tokyo/seino-1987/column/5107924/
Modified and translated by CFJA
Japanese moxibustion therapy involves kneading the moxa with a hand. The moxa that has been kneaded into small pieces is called gaishu 艾炷 (moxa cone/grain). Gaishu is placed on the skin and lit with incense. There are two methods for this: fully or partially burning the gaishu. They are called,
- Scarring moxibustion 有痕灸 (Jp. yukonkyu)
- Non-scarring moxibustion 無痕灸 (Jp. mukonkyu)
They are differentiated based on the perspective of whether it leaves a scar on the skin. From a different perspective, there are other terms, direct moxibustion 直接灸 (Jp. chokusetsukyu) and indirect moxibustion 間接灸 (Jp. kansetsukyu). These terms were created based on the difference of whether moxibustion is applied directly or indirectly on the skin. It is common for practitioners to use the latter terms.
Moxibustion therapy that involves making gaishu is a method that has been uniquely developed in Japan. It can be said that only the Japanese are using this method in the world. Although many Japanese are practicing it worldwide, it seems to be quite difficult to mimic it.
There are three types of scarring moxibustion, the method in which it leaves a scar:
- Pustulating moxibustion 打膿灸 (Jp. danokyu)
- Scorching moxibustion 焦灼灸 (Jp. shoshakukyu)
- Permeating moxibustion 透熱灸 (Jp. tonetsukyu)
1. Explanation of pustulating moxibustion 打膿灸
A method of locally placing gaishu bigger than the tip of the thumb and applying moxibustion 1 – 3 times to promote suppuration and sustain pus drainage. It is used for ulcers on the lower extremities, itchiness from hemorrhoids, scabies, etc.
2. Explanation of scorching moxibustion 焦灼灸
A method of destroying local tissues or cells by burning them completely. It is used for warts and calluses.
3. Explanation of permeating moxibustion 透熱灸
A method of fully burning the gaishu. This is the most typical method of moxibustion. The name has the meaning of permeating heat into the body. Even without burning the whole gaishu, partially burning would also allow the heat to permeate. This method is called, “sensed moderate-heat moxibustion 知熱灸 (Jp. chinetsukyu)”. It can be categorized as either scarring or non-scarring moxibustion. This method is practiced by many acupuncturists in Japan. Only by mastering the technique of permeating moxibustion can one be considered a “moxibustionist” capable of practicing moxibustion therapy as an alternative to pharmacotherapy. However, when practicing permeating moxibustion in detail with specificity, there are no terms to explain the technique easily.
There are two types of methods for non-scarring moxibustion 無痕灸:
1． Insulating moxibustion 隔物灸 (Jp. kakubutsukyu)
2． Warming moxibustion 温灸 (Jp. onkyu)
1. Explanation of insulating moxibustion 隔物灸
A method of placing an object between gaishu and the skin. The term, Insulating moxibustion – one of the non-scarring moxibustion – was derived from the fact that it involves placing something in between the moxa and the skin. The name of the technique differs depending on the object that is being placed as an insulator. The method involves placing sliced (3mm to 2cm) or mashed (3mm to 1cm) pieces of fresh ginger, garlic, Chinese chives, and apricot kernels on the skin, and then burning moxa on top. There are other methods in which it involves placing miso or salt. The size of the moxa will vary depending on the style of practice.
Although this is non-scarring moxibustion, there are methods where it does leave some scars on the skin. One of the methods acknowledged by the citizens is called sennenkyu 千年灸. This is a method called pedestal moxibustion 台座灸 (Jp. daizakyu). Since moxa is placed on a base, this is insulating moxibustion. Although it’s one of non-scarring moxibustion, bearing the heat can sometimes lead to leaving a scar on the skin. In other words, it will burn the skin. This is one of the examples where the method for non-scarring moxibustion can turn into scarring moxibustion depending on the resilience of one’s skin and the sensitivity of one’s sensations/perceptions. For each of the different methods, there are trivial names but no official names.
2. Explanation of warming moxibustion 温灸
A method of warming up the area by placing the moxa distant from the skin. When administering warming moxibustion, one of the ways is to manipulate the intensity of the heat while holding the burning moxa with the hand, another is to attach the moxa to the needle head and ignite it to induce warm heat (radiant heat). Also, there are other methods such as using different apparatuses to warm the area. Historically, in China, there is an aspect of developing apparatuses as part of the history of moxibustion therapy. In Japan as well, there are varieties of apparatuses that have been developed. In recent years, electric apparatuses have become quite popular – for example, electric warming moxibustion apparatus 電子温灸器. Light therapy/phototherapy such as infrared heat lamps is also part of warming moxibustion. Any apparatus is effective for a particular disease.
In the current textbooks, there is a category for ‘other’.
C. Other
Currently, moxibustion therapy that can be categorized as ‘other’ goes under non-scarring moxibustion indicated in Sorei Yanagiya’s writings. This is also insulating moxibustion. At that time when Cheng Dan’an was studying, they did not use the term kakubutsukyu 隔物灸 (insulating moxibustion). Below are the methods:
1． Lacquer moxibustion 漆灸 (Jp. urushikyu)
2． Water moxibustion 水灸 (Jp. mizukyu)
3． India ink moxibustion 墨灸 (Jp. sumikyu)
4． Safflower moxibustion 紅灸 (Jp. benikyu)
5．Oil moxibustion 油灸 (Jp. aburakyu)
For the methods above, the preparation of materials and the clean-up is quite troublesome. In recent years, acumoxa schools have been choosing other teaching methods. Since Cheng Dan’an learned these methods and brought them back to China, he has extensively been using them, thus, although we will not explain the methods from 1 to 5 in detail, we will touch on them briefly later in the blog.
To summarize everything above, Japanese moxibustion therapy can be categorized as such:
A. Scarring moxibustion 有痕灸 (Direct moxibustion 直接灸)
1．Pustulating moxibustion 打膿灸
2． Scorching moxibustion 焦灼灸
3． Permeating moxibustion 透熱灸 (Sensed moderate-heat moxibustion 知熱灸）
B．Non-scarring moxibustion 無痕灸 (Indirect moxibustion 間接灸)
1．Insulating moxibustion 隔物灸
2．Warming moxibustion 温灸
The terms that we have just explained should be fairly easy to understand, even for those who do not have a moxibustionist licence or have never practiced moxibustion therapy before. However, when trying to explain the practice in detail, there are no specific terms for each movement/technique. Although acupuncture therapy has many terms, not a single term exists for moxibustion therapy.
In recent years, schools have devoted a significant amount of time teaching the effects of moxibustion therapy on the human body. We have the impression that the focus is more on the study of medicine rather than the medical technique and practice.
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