Reference; https://mbp-japan.com/tokyo/seino-1987/column/5107924/
Modified and translated by CFJA
Since there is a history that the emperor of the Qing dynasty abominated moxibustion therapy as they considered the method of completely burning moxa to be barbarous, it must have been hard for them to believe what they were seeing. In Japan as well, there is a history that the emperor of Japan abdicated and became the emperor emeritus to receive moxibustion therapy. After the Great East Asia War (WWII), Douglas MacArthur of the GHQ observed moxibustion therapy and considered that this was a barbarous medical practice, he even attempted to halt its practice. For people other than the Japanese, it seems that it was quite difficult to accept. However, Cheng Dan’an was impressed by moxibustion therapy, experienced it multiple times and analyzed the Japanese method. We believe that he was a person capable of flexible thinking and willing to reconsider his understanding.
This is the end of this blog. Thank you very much for reading.
(Bonus)
Cheng Dan’an’s warm needle moxibustion 温針灸 (Jp. onshinkyu/unshinkyu ), also known as netsubari 熱針 (heat needle), is called kyutoshinpo 灸頭鍼法 (moxa head acupuncture method) in Japan. This method was created by the Japanese, Tomooki Sasakawa 笹川智興. He published a two-volume book called, shinkyuryouhotaisei 心灸療法大成 in the 10th year of the Showa period (1935). He used the term, shintokyu 針頭灸 (needle head moxibustion) but over time, it came to be called kyutoshin 灸頭鍼 (moxa head acupuncture) by later generations. This is probably because it was easier to pronounce kyutoshin 灸頭鍼 than shintokyu 針頭灸. In 1971 (the 46th period of the Showa period), Kobe Akabane 赤羽幸兵衛 published kyutoshinpo灸頭針法 by the Japanese Journal of Acupuncture and Manual Therapies 医道の日本社. It can be said that this book has promoted the name kyutoshin 灸頭鍼. As the reprint continued, the title was changed to kyutoshinpo 灸頭鍼法. As a result, it has become unclear whether kyutoshinpo 灸頭鍼法 is a method of moxibustion or acupuncture therapy. Tomooki Sasakawa has been utilizing the method as a moxibustion therapy. Dr. Seino believes that it is appropriate to use the name kyutoshin 針頭灸, or considering the fact that the name kyutoshin 灸頭鍼 has spread itself currently, it should be called kyutoshinpokyu 灸頭鍼法灸. The latter name was coined by Dr. Seino but he thinks that it is a bit lengthy. To show respect to Tomooki Sasagawa, who devised the technique, he states that kyutoshin 針頭灸 is suitable.
Tomooki Sasakawa has presented kyutoshin 針頭灸 in the 6th year of the Showa period. This was right when Cheng Dan’an was studying in Japan. In China, there is a method of inserting a heated needle, but no method exists in which it involves putting a moxa on the needle. Probably, Cheng Dan’an was observing kyutoshin 針頭灸. At first, Tomooki Sasakawa was attaching moxa to the needle that had been inserted diagonally (45 degrees from the skin). Later, moxa was attached to a needle that has been inserted perpendicularly. This is a method that focuses on providing radiant heat, but they might have considered safety and inserted perpendicularly in order to avoid moxa from falling on the skin.
When attaching moxa on the needle handle, in Japan (since the needle handle is short), rounded moxa will be attached with both hands and burned. In China, since the needle handle is long and the needle is thick, one hand is used to attach the oval-shaped moxa. It can be said that they are following the method that Tomooki Sasakawa initially pursued. Probably, Cheng Dan’an has thought of a way that suits better with the thick needle rather than the Japanese thin needle. This method is almost never seen in clinical practice in China. Probably because it is difficult to attach the moxa. In Japan, we have the impression that moxibustionist that relies on tools has increased. Failing to transmit the technique to the next generations will lead to a decline in the field of medicine. We are writing this bonus section with the hopes of somehow transmitting the acumoxa technique to the next generations.
The aim of this Japanese method, Shintokyu 針頭灸 (kyutoshinpokyu 灸頭鍼法灸), is to provide radiated heat to the skin. Chinese Warm needle method 温針法 involves heating the needle itself to send heat into the body and warm the interior of the body. The transmission of Li Shizhen’s Divine Needle 神針 method might also had some influence in the background. But perhaps, they might have never even heard of the term shintokyu 針頭灸.
Next time, in detail, we will introduce moxibustion techniques that Cheng Dan’an transmitted after returning to China.
Works Cited:
Zhang, Jianbin. “Influence of Cheng Dan’an and the Chengjiang School on Modern Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture: Insights from a Conversation with Professor Zhang Jianbin of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine.” Chinese Medicine Clinical Practice, vol. 36, no. 3, Oriental Academic Press, 136-147.
Xiang, Ping, and Xia Youbing, editors. Cheng Dan’an Acupuncture and Moxibustion Experience Collection. Shanghai Science and Technology Press, October 2004.
Yanagiya, Sorei. “Science of Acupuncture and Moxibustion: Practical Techniques.” Medical, Dental, and Pharmaceutical Publishing Company, March 1959.
Huang, Longxiang, et al. Illustrated Encyclopedia of Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion History. Vol. 2, Science Press, October 2014, p. 758. Translated by Japan Naikyo Medical Association, Takashi Okada, Kenji Kobayashi, and Masami Sawai.
Kimura, Koichi, editor. New Annotated and Corrected National Pharmacopoeia. Vol. 3, translated by Suzuki Shinmi, Shunyo-do Publishing Co., Ltd., May 1974, pp. 70-71.
Akabane, Kobei. “Jutoshinho: Moxibustion and Acupuncture Techniques.” Medical Path of Japan, September 1971, pp. 36-38.
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