Item ID: 6812 Manuscript on paper, entitled on label of upper cover, repeated on first leaf: “Kagawa kyuten zukai” [“Kagawa-style Placement of Moxa, illustrated & described. Complete”]. Shuan KAGAWA, attributed author, or Shutoku.
Manuscript on paper, entitled on label of upper cover, repeated on first leaf: “Kagawa kyuten zukai” [“Kagawa-style Placement of Moxa, illustrated & described. Complete”].

Manuscript on paper, entitled on label of upper cover, repeated on first leaf: “Kagawa kyuten zukai” [“Kagawa-style Placement of Moxa, illustrated & described. Complete”].

Eight full-page drawings & one illus. in the text. 17 folding leaves. 8vo (243 x 165 mm.), orig. blue semi-stiff wrappers (some dampstaining to upper portion of each leaf). [Japan: mid-Edo].

Kagawa (1683-1755), a member of the medical family dynasty, studied in Kyoto with Ryozan Goto and Jinsai Ito, from whom he learned moxibustion and the therapeutic value of the waters of hot springs. Kagawa established the successful Ippondo medical school and was one of the most enthusiastic practitioners of moxibustion of his time. There is another manuscript of this text at Kyoto University, attributed to Kagawa. Some of the illustrations are very different.

The introductory remarks describe the importance of the precise placement of the moxa on the skin, how to measure the placements based on distance from certain bones or joints of the body, and the various techniques and occasions for moxibustion applications.

Following this, the text precisely describes the moxibustion locations on the body and how to locate each one, with references to Simiao Sun’s classic text Qian jin fang [Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold Pieces], compiled in 650-59. Kagawa lists many diseases and injuries for which moxibustion is appropriate. There is a most interesting section on how to treat unsuccessful moxibustion procedures (application of certain ointments, etc.).

The attractive illustrations depict moxibustion loci on an osteological background, and loci on the stomach, arms, legs, and feet.

As mentioned above, there is dampstaining to the upper fifth of each leaf, but all the characters remain completely legible.

Price: $2,750.00

Item ID: 6812