MISONO Isai (1557-1616)“Tapping Acupuncture Insertion Technique” is one of the original of Japanese acupuncture
insertion techniques. MISONO Isai, said to be the restorer of this method, was a
representative acupuncturist of the Japan acupuncture and moxibustion world in the latterof the Muromachi period. His name was Tsunenaka, commonly known as Gengo, but hecame to be called by his pseudonym Isai.

His ancestors included TADA-GENGI in Settsu.

In 1582 Isai moved to Kyoto from Settsu, where allegedly he studied abdominal diagnosis
and tapping acupuncture insertion technique from the zen monk Mubun.
He originated the idea of gold and silver needles and established the original Isai styletapping acupuncture insertion technique. He became a Doctor of acupuncture and servedthe Ōgimachi and Goyōzei emperors. Later he cured Shogun TOKUGAWA Hidetada, everadvancing his medical fame. His circle of friends expanded and it is said he also had
relations with HOSOKAWA Sansai, TAKUAN Zenji and MANASE Gensaku.

Figure 1
Portrait of MISONO Isai
(From "Ika-shōzō-shū" (“医家肖像集”),
The Collection of Kyō-u-sho-oku library ofTakeda Science Foundation)

Astonishing the world with the Tapping Acupuncture Insertion TechniqueTapping acupuncture insertion technique is a Japanese original technique produced bytapping the head of the needle to carry the vibration from the abdominal area to the afflicted
area. The tapered needle is held between the 2nd and 3rd fingers of the hand placed on theabdomen then inserted by tapping it with a wooden mallet.
Isai established and disseminated this technique. Many renowned successors came afterIsai. FUJIKI Motonari (SURUGA school), NAKAZUKA Tōzai, ASAYAMA Kosai (ASAYAMAschool), OKUDA Ihaku (MUBUN school), MORI Yoshinari (Chūwa) all contributed to thedissemination of tapping acupuncture insertion technique throughout the country and madeit a representative acupuncture technique of the early Edo era.
Figure 2
Instruments for tapping acupuncture
insertion technique
The Collection of Kyoto Prefectural
Library and Archives

Abdominal Diagnosis and Treatment in Tapping Acupuncture Insertion Technique
Isai reportedly authored the 3 volumes of “Ika-chinpō” (“医家珍宝”), the 2 volumes of“Shinkyū-hiketsū” (“鍼灸秘訣”), the 1 volume of “Shinkyū-zenron” (“鍼灸全論”)and the 6volumes of “Shinka-hiden” (“神華秘伝”), but all have been lost. Works in which the Isai styletapping acupuncture insertion technique is mentioned today are “Shindō-hiketsu-shu” (“鍼道秘訣集”) of the OKUDA school (publication in 1685) and “Mubun-Shinpō-Shō” (“無分鍼法鈔”) of the ASAYAMA school (transcribed in 1792).

Characteristics include: 1. Considered very important for abdominal diagnosis to observe
the rise and fall of “Dōki” within the Jinkan area to determine life or death prognosis; 2.
maintaining a healthy stomach as the source of acquired qi to ward off evil qi; 3. relieving
increased resistance and tenderness of the epigastric region at “Hinoho” (脾募), “Haisaki” (肺先) and “Kansōka” (肝相火); 4. maintaining balance between excess and deficiency ofabdominal strength in the upper and lower abdominal areas; 5. techniques contain“Hihiki-no-hari” (火曳の鍼), “Kachibiki-no-hari” (勝曳の鍼), “Makebiki-no-hari” (負曳の鍼),“Aihiki-no-hari” (相引の鍼) and “Sanzuru-hari” (散ずる鍼).
Figure 3
Abdominal diagnosis chart“Shindō-hiketsu-shū” (“鍼道秘訣集”)

Materials Introducing Tapping Acupuncture Insertion Technique to the World
Isai died in 1616 at the age of 60. He was buried at Minami- ōsugi on Hieizan, however thelocation of his grave is unknown. The family tomb from the second generation Tsunemasa isin Igei-in of Takamine-kōetsu-teramachi in Kita Ward in Kyoto.
As tapping acupuncture insertion technique spread, it seems it was applied not only in theabdominal area but also on other areas such as shoulders, back and upper and lower
extremities. However with the introduction of the guide tube acupuncture insertion method

of the SUGIYAMA school, absorbing many of its characteristics, the use of tapping
acupuncture insertion technique declined.
Figure 4
Photo of MISONO family grave
Reprinted from“Kyoto Medical History”(“京都の医学史”)

OURA Jikan,
Iyashinomichi

Kyokai