Keiraku hatsumei [Study of Meridians]

Numerous woodcut illus. in the text. 51 folding leaves. 8vo, orig. wrappers (wrappers a little worn), manuscript title label on upper cover, new stitching. Edo: Yorozuya Tajiemon, 1753.

First edition of this rare work on acupuncture; it is a revision of one of the most important works of Chinese acupuncture, written by Shou Hua (fl. 1360-70), the famous doctor of the Yuan Dynasty. He did textual research on the pathways of meridians and collaterals as well as their relationship with acupuncture points. Expanding on the twelve meridians established by Sun Simiao (581-682), one of the most influential physicians in the history of Chinese medicine, Hua expanded the theory of the meridians and added two further meridians, the Governor vessel and the Conception vessel. These fourteen meridians became the standard in acupuncture in most schools of medicine. In 1341 Hua wrote the book Shisijing Fahui or Exposition of the Fourteen Meridians, which further developed the theory of meridians, acupuncture, and moxibustion.

In the present work, Kikuchi (fl. 1753), explains the locations and relations of the fourteen meridians and acupuncture points using the illustrations in the text. There are also sections on the pulse. It is interesting to note that there was a reprint of this book in 1974.

Nice copy. Minor, mostly marginal, worming to 17 leaves.