Manuscript on paper, entitled on upper wrapper “Shin Jōkō no zu” 唇常候之圖 [Illustrations of Constant...
19 illus. of lips & 42 illus. of tongues (several in color). Nine folding leaves. 8vo (231 x 170 mm.), orig. wrappers, orig. stitching. [Japan]: [mid- to late Edo].
An illustrated manuscript on the pathology of the lips and tongue. Tongue diagnosis has long remained a vital tool used in traditional Chinese medicine both for assessing the current health of a patient and providing a basis for prognosis. It grew in popularity in the late imperial period and was well-established by the 18th century (Oliver Loi-Koe, “Ancient Pulse-Taking, Complexions and the Rise of Tongue Diagnosis in Modern China,”... More