The Classic Shindo Hiketsu Shu

Compilation of Secrets of Acupuncture
This is one of the few existing classics on the Dashin technique Mubun style. The author is unknown. There are two editions of this classic that we know of: the first edition was published in 1685 and the second was published in 1773. According to this classic, the founder of the Mubun style was said to be Mubun-sai (a Zen Buddhist monk). However, according to Nihon Igaku-shi (The History of Medicine in Japan), some believe that Misono Isai (a.k.a. Misono Joshin, a doctor who served for the Emperor Ohgimachi as well as the Emperor Goyouzei, 1557-1616) was the founder. Misono Isai is considered to be the doctor that revived and popularized the Dashin technique. This classic is also a spiritual guide book for acupuncturists.


Preface of Shindo Hiketsu Shu Shindo Hiketsu Shu Jo
*Explaining how Mubun started to use the Dashin technique

(The following is a translation of the first two paragraphs)

Our style of acupuncture, uchibari (dashin)(1), was first started by Mubun-kou(2) who was originally a Zen Buddhist monk. When Mubun-kou’s mother was very ill, he was deeply concerned and wished to look after her as a devoted son. Therefore he learned the hineribari stylea(3) of acupuncture from a famous doctor and treated his mother everyday, morning and night. His mother’s condition, however, seemed to be so serious that Mubun-kou’s treatment had no effect. Under such circumstances, Mubun-kou experimented with every device possible and came up with a technique to treat his mother called uchibari. Mubun-kou felt a great response from this technique and this time his mother’s condition improved. He then tried the technique on other people and found that nine out of ten people he treated with the uchibari technique were cured. Mubun-kou considered that using this technique to help people’s suffering and illnesses was an act of compassion which Yakushi-Nyorai Buddha(4) always demonstrates. Mubun-kou devoted himself to treating as many people as he could regardless of where they lived, wealth or social status.

Soon Mubun-kou’s fame spread throughout the region until it finally reached Isai-houkyou(5). Isai-houkyou became very curious about Mubun-kou’s reputation and was so determined to meet him that he did not care how far he had to travel. Mubun-kou and Isai-houkyou then became master and disciple. After studying many years, Isai-houkyou was taught the esoteric points of Mubun-kou’s technique and finally gained a great fame himself.


Contents of Shindo Hiketsu Shu Shindo Hiketsu Shu Mokuroku
*Listing of 40 Chapters

Chapter 1 The difference between our (Mubun) style of acupuncture and other styles Tou-ryu, Ta-ryu no Kawari
Chapter 2 Discussion of the concept of Zang-fu organs in our (Mubun) style Tou-ryu Zo-fu no Ben

- Chapters Explaining the Acupuncturists’ Spirituality
Chapter 3 Importance of the acupuncturist’s state of mind Kokoromochi no Daiji
Chapter 4 The Three Cleansing (eliminating the three types of practitioner’s thoughts that disturb his treatment) Mittsu no Sumashi

- Chapter on Pulse Diagnosis
Chapter 5 Importance of identifying “Four Pulses” Shimyaku no Daiji

- Chapters Describing the Techniques
Chapter 6 Needling for “Drawing Fire to the lower” Hibiki no Hari
Chapter 7 Needling for “Dispersing and Drawing” Kachibiki no Hari
Chapter 8 Needling for “Tonifying and Drawing” Makebiki no Hari
Chapter 9 Needling for “Double Drawing” Aibiki no Hari
Chapter 10 Needling for “Anchoring” Tomuru Hari
Chapter 11 Needling for “Comforting Stomach” Ikai no Hari
Chapter 12 Needling for “Scattering Insertions” Sanzuru Hari

- Chapters Explaining Acupuncture Accidents and Patient’s Fatality
Chapter 13 Key to removing the needle which is stuck in the body Hari no Nukezaru o Nuku Daiji
Chapter 14 Pain in the site of the needle insertion after needling Hari Itami
Chapter 15 Learning how to identify the patient whose condition is fatal Hisshi no Byouja o Siru Narai
Chapter 16 Needling to induce vomitting Hakasuru Hari
Chapter 17 Needling to induce bowel movement Kudasu Hari
Chapter 18 The method of “Wheels” Sharin no Hou

- The following chapters discuss Four Major Abdominal Patterns
Chapter 19 Upper Excess, Lower Deficient Jitsu no Kyo
Chapter 20 Upper Deficient, Lower Excess Kyo no Jitsu
Chapter 21 Upper Excess, Lower Excess Jitsu Jitsu
Chapter 22 Upper Excess, Lower Deficient Kyo Kyo

- The following chapters discuss how to idntify symptoms
Chapter 23 Understanding cold sensation Samuke o Shiru Koto
Chapter 24 Predicting the onset of “swelling-qi” Kishu no Kitaru o Shiru Koto
Chapter 25 Importance of diagnosing “Okori” Okori O Miru no Daiji
“Okori” is a malaria-like condition.

- The following chapters discuss how to treat certain conditions
Chapter 26 Needling for conditions of esophagus Kaku no Hari
Chapter 27 Importance of needling for Stroke Chubu Hari no Daiji
Chapter 28 Needling for fainting Boushin no Hari
Chapter 29 Needling for “Tandoku” Tandoku no Hari
“Tandoku” is a type of skin condition caused by infection which produces a reddish colour and a burning sensation.
Chapter 30 Needling for “Kyou-fu” Kyou-fu no Hari
“Kyou-fu” is an infantile acute or chronic syndrome such as convulsion, pneumonia, and diarrhea.
Chapter 31 Needling for “Kan” Kan no Hari
“Kan” is an infantile chronic syndrome including hyperactivity and digestive problems
Chapter 32 Needling for “Katakai” Katakai no Hari
“Katakai” is a less intense type of “Kan” syndrome.

- The following chapter discuss one special point
Chapter 33 One Needling Hitotsu no Hari

- The following chapters discusses important concepts, cautionary notes, and treatments
Chapter 34 Importance of knowing whether the patient has Stomach-qi or not I-no-Ki Umu no Daiji
Chapter 35 The essence of Sanjiao Sansho-no-Fu no Daiji
Chapter 37 Key to identifying fetus from blood statis Kaitai, Kekkai Miwake no Daiji
Chapter 38 Key to giving acupuncture before delivery Taizen ni Hari suru Daiji
Chapter 39 Importance of giving acupuncture after pregnancy Sango no Hari no Daiji
Chapter 40 Key to treating “Patient Haunted by Wild Fox” Yako no Hari no Daiji