Fukushima Prefecture
School for the Blind
Faculty of Traditional Japanese Physiotherapy(Vocational Training Course)
We support those who, despite having a visual impairment, aim toparticipate and contribute to society by becoming nationally qualified.

What is the Faculty of Traditional Japanese Physiotherapy?
“Traditional Japanese physiotherapy” is a general term that encompasses acupuncture, moxibustion,and anma, a traditional form of Japanese massage. The term refers to theories and techniques ofmaintaining and improving health through the application of a physical stimulus to the body using thebare hands, needles or heat.

The Unlikely History of the Blind in Japanand Traditional Japanese Physiotherapy
Japan’s history of vocational training for, and vocational independence of, people with visualimpairments is said to be unique. Throughout Japan’s long history, there have been several
organisations based on the principle of mutual cooperation that were composed solely of blindpeople. One such organisation was the Todoza, a guild for blind men, which flourished in the EdoPeriod (from 1603 to 1868) under the approval and protection of the Shogunate.
Members of the guild received training in Japanese instruments such as the biwa, koto or
shamisen, or in acupuncture, moxibustion, or anma massage, enabling them to become active
members of society through their own vocational independence. More than 100 years before
schools for the blind began to appear in Europe, Japan already had a well-established system of
vocational training for those with visual impairments.

In the Edo Period, Waichi Sugiyama, who was the Sokengyo (thehighest rank of the Todoza) and who was completely blind himself,became the court acupuncturist of Tsuneyoshi Tokugawa, the 5thShogun.
Sugiyama developed a revolutionary acupuncture method of using ahollow tube to guide the needle, and went on to establish an
acupuncture training centre, where he devoted himself to nurturing
future generations of acupuncturists. He is remembered as theforemost pioneer in the education of acupuncture, moxibustion, andanma massage.
Sugiyama’s acupuncture training centre continued the systematictraining of the blind in these three practices for around 200 years after
its establishment until the year 1871. With the modernization of theeducation system in the Meiji Period (1868-1912 CE), the education ofpeople with visual impairments began to be carried out at dedicatedschools for the blind. Training in acupuncture, moxibustion, and anma
massage for vocational purposes was institutionalised once more
within these schools and faculties of traditional Japanesephysiotherapy have continued to provide such training ever since.
In short, the vocational training provided by faculties of traditional
Japanese physiotherapy at modern-day schools for the blind can betraced back more than 130 years ago in terms of the history of schools
for the blind in Japan, and even further back to Waichi Sugiyama’s
training centre, 230 years ago.
It is because of this history that even now, Japan is the only country in
the world where people with visual impairments can work as
acupuncturists/moxibustion practitioners.

Traditional Japanese Physiotherapy’s Role in Modern Society
Traditional Japanese Physiotherapy as Alternative Medicine
Acupuncture, moxibustion, and anma massage provide
symptomatic improvement or relief by strengthening thebody’s natural ability to heal. They are regarded as treatment
methods that place little stress on the body and there has
been a growing demand for them in recent years as forms ofalternative medicine.
The range of applications of these treatments has spread toinclude such fields as orthopedics, sports medicine,geriatrics, occupational safety and health, and beauty care.

Working as a Traditional Japanese Physiotherapist
In Japan, to work as an anma practitioner, acupuncturist, or moxibustion
practitioner requires a separate qualification for each. Students must train
for three years and obtain a certain number of credits before taking thenational exams, which are held once a year. If the student fails the exam,
they will be unable to work in that occupation. While many medicaloccupations are not permitted to carry out medical treatment without theorders of a doctor, traditional Japanese physiotherapists are recognised
as independent practitioners and are permitted to carry out “therapeuticactivities” (defined as activities similar to medical treatment) on an
independent basis.

What you will learn at the Faculty of Traditional Japanese Physiotherapy
In the Healthcare and Traditional Japanese Physiotherapy Course, students train forthree years with the aim of become licensed anma practitioners. In the Post-Graduate
Traditional Japanese Physiotherapy Course, students study to become additionallyqualified as acupuncturists and moxibustion practitioners.
Students will only become qualified by acquiring a certain number of credits over thecourse of three years of training in order to graduate. Then, students in the Healthcare
and TJP course must passing the Anma Practitioner (Healthcare & TJP) National
Examination, and students in the Post-Graduate Course must passing three national
exams to become fully licensed in each profession: one for anma massage, one for
acupuncture, and one for moxibustion. (Note: students will not be fully qualified/licensed
simply by graduating.)
The content of the classes that students attend over the three years are naturally noteasy, covering fundamental medical knowledge such as anatomy, and anma,acupuncture and clinical healthcare practicals. However, by acquiring factually accurate
knowledge and advanced techniques, students will be able to grow into effective
traditional Japanese physiotherapists. In effect, what the students learn here today is
nothing more than the progress build upon the foundation laid by the early pioneers in
the Todoza in the Edo Period and at Waichi Sugiyama’s training centre, a foundation
developed through diligent learning and strict discipline.
One could say that the true meaning of becoming qualified to practice anma,
acupuncture, or moxibustion is a barrier-free occupation that allows you to stand on yourown two feet to contribute and participate in society.
Course Curriculums
Healthcare and TJP Course
Post-Graduate TJP Course
Fundamental Subjects
Fundamental Subjects
Japanese Language
Natural Science (Information
Geography and History
Processing・Statistics)
Civics・Mathematics
Philosophy (Logic・Psychology)
Science・Physical Education
Foreign language
Physical Education
Art・Foreign LanguageHome Economics
Communications
Advanced Fundamental Subjects
Advanced Fundamental Subjects
Anatomy・Physiology
Anatomy・Physiology
Introduction to Healthcare
Introduction to Healthcare
Hygienics・Public Health Studies
Hygienics・Public Health Studies
Introduction to Clinical Medicine
Introduction to Clinical Medicine
Clinical Medicine Theory
Clinical Medicine Theory
Physiatry
Physiatry
Advanced Subjects
Advanced Subjects
Overview of Eastern medicine
Overview of Eastern medicine
Introduction to Acupuncture Points
Introduction to Acupuncture Points
Clinical Healthcare and TJP
Clinical Healthcare and TJP
Anma Massage Theory
Anma Massage Theory
Anma Massage Practical
Acupuncture Theory
Clinical Healthcare and TJP Practical
Moxibustion Theory
Individual Research and moreAnma Massage Practical
Acupuncture Practical
Moxibustion Practical
Clinical Healthcare and TJP Practical
Individual Research and more

Career Paths After Graduation
Once you graduate from the faculty ofTraditional Japanese Physiotherapy, and pass
the national exams, which are administered by
the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, thefollowing career paths may be available to you.
・ Employmentat
anAcupuncture,
Moxibustion and Massage Clinic
・ Further your education at Tsukuba
University Acupuncture and PhysicalTherapy Teacher Training School
・ Work as an acupuncture, moxibustion,
and anma massage practitioner at ahospital rehabilitation clinic
・ Work as a “healthkeeper” (an in-housepractitioner of acupuncture, moxibustion
and anma massage) at a company
・ Work at a care facility (nursing homes,etc.) conducting motor function training
・ Perform home-visits as a traditional
Japanese physiotherapist (Work for acompany offering home visit services)
・ Open your own Acupuncture, Moxibustion
and Massage Clinic

Eligibility for Admission
1) You have a visual impairment that falls under one of the following three categories.
AYour best-corrected visual acuity in both eyes is roughly less than 0.3 (6/18 in the UK)
B
You have a severe visual impairment not related to visual acuity e.g. tunnel vision, night blindness
CThere is a possibility that your eyesight will greatly decline in future.
2) There is no age limit.
3) The Healthcare and Traditional Japanese Physiotherapy Course is targeted towards those that have
graduated junior high school.
Students on this course will aim to become licensed practitioners of anma massage, and at thesame time obtain their high school degree. Training takes three years.
4) The Post-Graduate Traditional Japanese Physiotherapy Course is targeted towards those who have
graduated high school.
Students on this course will aim to become licensed practitioners of anma massage, acupuncture
and moxibustion. Training takes three years.
5) The admission selection exam is held once a year, in March (in two stages)
The content of the examinations for the Healthcare and TJP Course, and the Post-Graduate TJP
Course is different.

Traditional Japanese Physiotherapy Activities
Traditional Japanese Physiotherapy ClassesThe teaching materials used are adjusted to suit the students’ visual capabilities to make theclasses as comprehensible as possible.

Anma massage practical

Presentation on
Clinical Healthcare Experience

Acupuncture Practical

Study Tour

Clinical Healthcare PracticalCommunity Volunteer Work

Anma practitioner, acupuncturist, and moxibustion practitioner licenses respectively(Issued by the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare)

Worried about losing your sight? Want to develop new skills and become nationally qualified sothat you can spread your wings out into society? We will support you.

FAQ
Q.1 What sort of qualifications can I acquire?
A. Upon graduating from the Healthcare and Traditional Japanese Physiotherapy
Course, you may take a nationally-recognised exam to become an anmapractitioner. Upon graduating the Post-Graduate Traditional JapanesePhysiotherapy Course, you may take exams to become additionally licensed
as an acupuncturist and moxibustion practitioner.
Q.2 Are all the students blind at the School for the Blind?
A. The percentage of students that are completely blind is small (only 10% of theentire student body) and the majority of the students have weak sight. Theschool’s admission standards only allow students with a best-corrected visualacuity, i.e. with glasses, of less than 0.3, or those with an impairment to theirvisual field or visual function. The school also admits those who have been
diagnosed with future loss of vision or visual function.
Q.3 What age ranges do the students fall into?
A. Currently, most of our students are adults in their 20s and 30s, but their fellow
students include people of all ages, from 18 to 50 years old.
Q.4 How much do tuition fees cost?
A. The school does not charge admission fees, nor tuition fees.
However, students are expected to cover the cost of the supplies that they willuse in their daily classes including lab coats, acupuncture needles, andrubbing alcohol. Furthermore, the Japanese government offers a grant tocover a portion of fees necessary to attend the school (e.g. food expenses,travel fees, textbooks) based on the financial status of the student’s
household.
Q.5 Is it difficult for people who live far away to attend the school?
A. The school has a dormitory located on-campus to make it easier for people
who live farther away to attend.
Q.6 What potential careers are there for graduates?
A. Graduates can open their own clinic, work at a hospital or clinic, or work as a
motor function training instructor at a rehabilitation center or nursing home.
Some graduates also go on to further their education at university.
For education counselling or admission inquiries:
Moriai-cho 6-34, Fukushima-shi,
Fukushima Prefecture 〒960-8002

Fukushima Prefecture School for the Blind(Faculty of Traditional Japanese Physiotherapy/Education Counselling and Support Office）
Tel: +81 (0) 24-534-2574
Fax: +81 (0) 24-533-2470
Website: http://www.fukushima-sb.fks.jp
Check out our school’s educational activities from our website!