Volume 3, Number 4 | Winter 2008

Medical History in Japan
Origin of Japanese Acupuncture: Waichi Sugiyama and his
Text – Sugiyama Shindenryu (4)Jikan Oura
Medical Historical Research Department
Kitasato University Oriental Medicine Research Center

3. The techniques of Sugiyama Shindenryu
F. Kikou Jutsu“Tapping on Needle Hilt for

Vibration Technique”[Method]
The needle is inserted at a point in the painful
area to the appropriate depth. Some twisting is first
applied. It then involves the motion of attaching themiddle finger of the inserting hand to side of themiddle finger of the non-inserting hand, placing
ventral of the thumb lightly at needle hilt, andtapping needle hilt with ventral of the forefinger tocreate a vibration. The technique is done with

[Figure 11: (Ryuzu Jutsu)]

G. Enshin Jutsu “Scribing a Circle Needle with Noninserting Hand Technique”[Method]
The name of this technique implies “scribing acircle needle technique”.
While inserting, the needle is rotated clockwise

intention to circulate Qi.

using both non-inserting hand that touches the[Notes]

Kikou Jutsu is the basic technique for circulating

patient’s skin and inserting hand that pinches theQi to relieve stagnation in the meridians due toneedl hilt. After reaching the appropriate depth,

deficiency of the internal organs. Also it can be usedenough circle is applied and then twisting is applied.

for pain due to cold and stagnation of fluids. In thisWhen withdrawing the needle, the same rotation iscase it should be followed by Jakutaku Jutsu.

used but performed counterclockwise.

There is another technique of circulating Qi,

Ryuzu Jutsu, which is more difficult than Kikou
Jutsu.

[Notes]Enshin Jutsu is used for treatment of abdomen
and gives effect of relieving superficial abdominal
tension and invigorating the function of the organs.
So it is said, “Sedating the exterior, tonifying theinterior.”
It is difficult to insert the needle deeper while
doing the rotating technique so this should be donein stages. After superficial insertion, rotate theneedle, bring it back to perpendicular, insert it a bit
more, then repeat until reaching the appropriate
depth.

[Figure 10: Tapping on needle hilt for vibration techniqueAt this point twisting is applied so as togather Qi at the needle tip.

(Kikou Jutsu)]

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The Journal of Kampo, Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine (KAIM)

Volume 3, Number 4 | Winter 2008

[Figure 12: Rotating needle technique (Enshin Jutsu)][Figure13: Daichou technique (Daichou Jutsu)]

H. Daichou Jutsu “Tapping and Shaking with Guide

I. Netsukou Jutsu

Tube Technique”

with[Method]

Vibration Technique”

After inserting a needle straight down to 10mm

“Picking and Twisting Needle

Non-insertingandInserting

Handsfor[Method]

depth, the guide tube is tapped with forefinger of theThis technique is to massage the area, prior tonon-inserting hand holding the tube and the tip ofinsertion, by pushing the acupoint with finger nail ofthe thumb. The needle is then inserted 10mm deeper

non-inserting

and the technique is applied again. This is repeatedtapping with fingers, prior to insertion. After which

until reaching the appropriate depth. The samethe needle is inserted to appropriate depth thentechniquestopping, moving and twisting motions are used toisalsoused

every

10mm

while

hand,

andmassaging,rubbing,

withdrawing the needle.

build up Qi and warmth around the needle. The[Notes]

technique should be applied gently and never in a

Daichou Jutsu is used for harmonizing the Qi inharsh manner.

Once the purpose is achieved thethe superficial, middle and deep layers in theneedle is removed quickly and the point closed.

abdominal region.

[Notes]This technique was developed from the Dashin

Netsukou Jutsu is used for muscle tension in theacupuncture technique. For better results, use adeeper layers and warming cold. The paralyzed

heavier guide tube (more than 16g) to create a strong

sensation is due to cold and deficiency causing

vibration in abdomen.

stagnation of Qi and blood. Therefore, it is important

A similar technique, “Akatsuki No Hari No Jutsu”,

to push and tap the acupoint prior to insertion. Afterinvolves using fingertip to tap the top of the guideinsertion, the movement of both hands (non-tube which has been placed back over an inserted

insertingneedle. This technique is used for area of pain andsynchronized in massaging, twisting to build up Qi

inflammation.

around the needle.

andinsering

The Journal of Kampo, Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine (KAIM)hands)

needstobe33

Volume 3, Number 4 | Winter 2008

4. The Sugiyama Shinden style technique andmodern Japanese acupuncture and moxibustion
Japaneseacupuncture

andmoxibustion

characteristically uses thin needles and guiding
tubes as well as thread-like or half-rice grain sizedmoxa cones to achieve maximum effects. Before the[Figure 14: Circulate warmth technique(Netsukou Jutsu)]
J. Other manipulations using the guide tube

background of these tools various pathologic
conditions can be delt with in great detail without
placing excessive stress on the patients, while at

Otherwise, there is a method where the guidethe same time the skillful application of thetube is put over the inserted needle and thrusting

relevant techniques helps to obtain maximum

and lifting then performed with the tube. This iseffects.

effective to relief muscle spasms and pain in very

A common denominator in the world of thesesensitive patients. The needle tip is kept at atechniques is the concept of perceiving Qi, detecting

shallower level than the painful muscle layer anddisturbances of Qi, application of daring but still

the thrusting and lifting is performed with thethoughfull sedation and tonification - thereby theneedle tube, meaning that the tube is pressed down

regulationand pulled back alternately, shaking the painful

moxibustion techinques are based on Chinesemuscle layer and thus relieving the muscle spasm.

classics and techniques imported during the Ming

There is also a technique of tapping the area arounddynasty, but have uniquely developed during the Edo

the inserted needle. This is used, when the pain isperiod. Waichi Sugiyama is a representative figure

felt over an extensive area. The area around theand the techniques described in the “Sugiyama

shallowly inserted needle is minutely tapped many

Shinden Style” have now become the foundation oftimes with the guide tube in order to scatter themodern Japanese acupuncture and moxibustion.

ofQi.

pathogenic Qi and thus relief pain.

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The Journal of Kampo, Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine (KAIM)

Japanese

acupunctureand