disease are categorised in six stages according to the progress of the disease,
and the pathological observation and corresponding suitable kampo
formulae are described. In contrast to Shokanron,Kinkiyoryakuhas been
described various chronic diseases and the formulae for the treatment.
Many popular kampo formulae appear in both classic textbooks as the
major sources.
Chinese medicine underwent numerous modifications to make it better
suited to the Japanese situation and kampo medicine was established in the
Edo era during the eighteenth century. Except for limited trade with China
and the Netherlands, Japan was a closed country during this time. Although
Dutch medicine was introduced to Japan in the sixteenth century and admin-
istered alongside traditional medicine, its usage did not surpass that of the
traditional medicine until end of the nineteenth century.
When Japan opened its door to western countries in 1867, the government
would license only medical doctors for the practice of western medicine. As a
result, the use of kampo medicine declined at this period.
Despite this unfavourable aspect of the period, kampo medicine
continued to thrive through the efforts of a few medical leaders who recog-
nised its benefits. With the progress of modern science and technology,
modern medicine has greatly improved. Although incidences of numerous
globally rampant infections had been reduced by the development of antibi-
otics, the latter half of the twentieth century saw a marked increase in
chronic, endogenous, metabolic disorders. There has also been an increase
in non-specific, constitutional or psychosomatic diseases. Some severe
adverse effects associated with some natural and synthetic compounds have
also resulted in occasional disillusionment with modern medicine. Against
these social backgrounds, use of kampo medicines in Japan emerged as an
alternative.
Consequently, kampo medicine now plays an important role in medical
treatment in Japan. In 2001, The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Education
of Japan confirmed the new core curriculum of the medical schools, and the
education of kampo medicine was introduced into this new curriculum.
Principles of kampo medicine
Kampo medicine attempts to harness a state of harmony or equilibrium
from the disturbed digestive, immune, endocrine and cardiovascular systems
in the whole body to relieve or abolish symptoms related to the diseases.
It is based on a number of criteria that are used to assess each patient’s
overall condition of the whole body:^1
- yin and yang for patient’s constitution
- hypofunction and hyperfunction for the level of energy
226 | Traditional medicine