Volume 4, Number 4 | Winter 2009

Medical History in Japan
Sotetsu Ishizaka’s “Shinkyu Chiyo Ichigen (4)Kenji Kobayashi
Guest researcher of Medical History Research Dept.
Kitazato University Oriental Medicine Research Center[Part 4 of this series]
On March 9 of the year Bunsei 8 (1825) I
received through the official interpreter in
Nagasaki Sakusaburo Nakayama a letter4) fromDr. Siebold along with a present of two sword
needles (hishin = pi zhen), one retention needle,
and some first grade Dutch opium. The text of theletter follows below. (Since it was in a foreignlanguage, I had the Han physician Tsuyama,Shinsai Udagawa translate it.)To the care of Sotetsu Ishizaka, Edo acupuncturist
From: Dr. von Siebold, Dutch National MedicalInstructor, in Dejima February 1825

Acupuncture is a medical technique not knownin Europe, but for some time some knowledge
about acupuncture and moxibustion has spread.
Fortunately, on this occasion, I had theopportunity to look at master Ishizaka's book("Chiyo Ichigen" – Essentials in a word).
Up to now I have been employed in Nagasaki
and wanted to get in touch with master Ishizaki,but so far was not able to fulfill this wish. Now I
was so fortunate as to be blessed with a chance toperuse one of his books. I wish to maintaincontact with the master through letters andwould be very much obliged, if I could ask him for
instructions. It would be extremely beneficial forme, if that wish could be granted. With yourpermission, but I believe my knowledge about
surgery would probably prove to be very
beneficial for the master too.
I would like to ask you to please contact me inthe future.
Among my students is a person called Junzo
Mima, who studies very enthusiastically. Hetranslated your book into Dutch and explained its
contents to me. In the future I would like to meet
you directly and ask a few questions.
Currently I am considering to translate yourbook in greater detail into Dutch.
So far the content of the letter in Dutch, but I
would be very happy, if you could have translated
this and would read it.
**********************************************4) In the archives of the library of Waseda Universitythere is the title "Translated Writings of Siebold"
translated by Junzo Mima for Sotetsu, in which itsays "I am very happy about the treatise on
acupuncture that was given to me, since it isexplains a subject still little known in our country
Europe." The 12-page text translated by Shinsai
Udagawa is probably identical with the original.
Currently

publishedvia

theinternet.

http://www.wul.waseda.ac.jp/kotenseki/html/bunko08/bu
nko08_a0223/index.htm

There are two drafts, one of which has been once
written by Junzo Mima and appears to have laterbe edited, so that there are some doubts regardingwhether this is really Mima's own handwriting.

**********************************************As an expression of gratitude for the masters
books he send us two lancets5), a clamp and eightmomme (8 x 3.75 g = 30 g) of Dutch opium. Eachof which he will take with him on his visit to Edo
next. Please take care of him on that occasion.
Please take good care of yourself in this weather

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

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Volume 4, Number 4 | Winter 2009

In the spring of year Bunsei 9 (1826) Dr.
Siebold accompanied the head of the Dutch
trading post Mr. Sturler to Edo. During ourmeeting Dr. Siebold stated:[Illustration 11][Illustration 11] Translated by Siebold's pupil
Ryosai (Seikai) Totsuka and others "Kyuho
Ryakusetu" (Brief Explanation of Moxibustion)[Illustration 12][Illustration 12] Translated by Siebold's deciple
Ryosai (Seikai) Totsuka and others "Kyuho
Ryakusetu" (Brief Explanation of Moxibustion)
As a response to this letter I sent a letter to theinterpreter Sakusaburo Nakayama. In addition I
had 7 needles ranging from gauge No. 1 to No. 7
manufactured by Genzo Kobe and sent them as agift to Dr. Siebold.

22" I made some notes in "Chiyo Ichigen" andsent it to my home country.
Once I have comprehended the deeper
meanings of the filiform needles, I would like topromote the spread of this book throughout thevarious European countries. When the techniqueof the filiform needling provides relief fromdiseases and suffering, it will be all your merit."
When I finished my commentaries to Dr.
Siebold's 12 questions, he said he would like towitness an actual performance of acupuncture
and moxibustion. I demonstrated by needling on
one of my disciples, whereupon he requested to beneedled directly himself.
Since that is what he wanted, I needled Dr.
Siebold and thus conveyed also things, that aredifficult to express in words.
On this occasion I feel extremely proud ofbeing able to contribute to the spread ofacupuncture and moxibustion, which I consider
my calling, abroad. If acupuncture andmoxibustion should be generally accepted insociety, I believe the long years of studying thefiliform needling techniques may provide anopportunity of opening up the passage for theonce lost 2,000-year old art and teachings ofacupuncture and moxibustion to Europe. I
exhaustively wrote down the innermost secrets ofthe fine needles, not even holding back family
traditions, and would like to convey thisknowledge to future generations6).
**********************************************
5) Lancet. Dutch. A kind of knife used for vaccinationagainst smallpox and phlebotomy.
Flat, double-edged blades pointed at the tip.

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

Volume 4, Number 4 | Winter 20096) Copied translations of the reference "Shifukuta
Sensei Bunken Shukei" = original title: "vertaald
door O. Kenkai" (published in 1935, including"Kyuho Ryakusetu" (Brief Explanation ofMoxibustion)) referring to Dr. Siebold in Japan andsimilar materials provide an opportunity of glancesat the acupuncture and moxibustion techniques Dr.
Siebold learned from Sotetsu.
Currently on display on the digital archive websiteof Kyushu University.
http://record.museum.kyushu-u.ac.jp/siebold/[ Dutch translation of a treatise by one of Siebold'spupils ]http://record.museum.kyushu-u.ac.jp/siebold307/
Nr. 1.307.000
Totsuka Ryōsai et al., [Vier Abhandlungen überAkupunktur und Kinderkrankheiten.]"Kyuho Ryakusetu" (Brief Explanation ofMoxibustion) translated Ryosai (Seikai) Totsuka
and others

May of year Bunsei 9 (1826)
Signed court physician Hogan Sotetsu Ishizaka

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

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