Noriko
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|  | Heian Era Medicine
« Thread Started on Feb 7, 2008, 10:39pm » | |
Does anyone have any good (layperson, unobscure, in English) resources on medicine in the Heian era? I know most of it was imported from China so my research should probably lean towards sources on that topic.
I've been doing a little light research and I'm a little confused on one issue. Some websites list both a pharmacist and a physician in the court ranks. Now, would these roles be similar to that of the modern day counterparts? The physician would examine the patient and make a diagnosis and the physician would mix the proper herbal mix the doctor prescribed? In these rank charts, the pharmacist actually ranks higher so that might be the source of my confusion as to who plays what part in the care of a patient... I'm sure this is sort of a durrr answer.... I tend to be prone to that...
Thanks!
(I just got a used copy of "Sugawara Michizane and the Early Heian Court" which has some sections on the university system but I haven't gotten around to reading it yet.)
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Ki no Kotori
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| | Re: Heian Era Medicine
« Reply #1 on Feb 8, 2008, 12:55am » | |
If this is helpful, there are a few instances in Heian-era diaries that describe the treatment of illnesses. Most of these involve priests, not physicians.
Example 1: from Eiga Monogatari (A Tale of Flowering Fortunes), written @1030-1045 AD
"Kenshi was much worse. A twenty-one day series of esoteric rites, undertaken by Bishop Meison, had produced no improvement. The Bishop's efforts were reinforced by those of other notable monks, who were directed to perform two-and three-alter riters, but the disease proved impervious to their outpourings of mystic invocations; the Grand Empress did not so much as yawn. Every conceivable purification and oblation ritual was tried."
It goes on for a couple of pages after that. The segment here can be found in Classical Japanese Prose: An Anthology, pp. 242-250. The full version of A Tale of Flowering Fortunes has been translated but is very expensive, although I managed to read a copy via inter-library loan.
In Kagero Nikki (Gossamer Diary), it states
"From about the end of the intercalary Fifth Month I was taken ill. It was nothing that could be specifically diagnosed, but I was in great discomfort. I cared little what happened to me and I did not want anyone, least of all the Prince, to think that I would have serious regrets at the thought of dying. My household nonetheless applied treatments feverishly, curative fires and such, but nothing seemed to help." In a footnote, "curative fires" were explained as "keshiyaki" burning of poppy seeds, a Shingon rite.
Gossamer Years p 73.
No doubt there is more to be found in Heian-era diaries, but these are two references I remembered off-hand. Also, you might want to get ahold of the Princeton Companion to Classical Japanese Literature. It has several useful articles regarding court titles, architecture, clothing, etc.
Hope this helps! Good luck!
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Ki no Kotori
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Noriko
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| | Re: Heian Era Medicine
« Reply #2 on Feb 8, 2008, 7:45am » | |
Ah thanks. I left my copy of World of the Shining Prince at home but I think I've seen copies of those books in my local library. I'll check them out. (:
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solveig
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| | Re: Heian Era Medicine
« Reply #3 on Feb 9, 2008, 12:39am » | |
Noble Cousin!
Greetings from Solveig! The oldest extant treatise on "Chinese Medicine" is the Ishinpo which was actually written in Japan. There is a published multi-volume translation of this work into modern Japanese. The library at the University of Pittsburgh has a copy. A few of the "books" in this treatise have been translated into English, but most have not.
If you are interested in Heian bureaucracy, then you may find The Princeton Companion to Classical Japanese Literature by Earl Miner to be useful.
Incidentally, you will also encounter Shintoh rites in what might be thought of as a medical context. For example, bow plucking was supposed to help gestation and delivery of children.
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Noriko
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| | Re: Heian Era Medicine
« Reply #4 on Feb 9, 2008, 2:51pm » | |
Quote:
If you are interested in Heian bureaucracy, then you may find The Princeton Companion to Classical Japanese Literature by Earl Miner to be useful. |
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Ah, thanks. I'm having a kind student friend of mine borrow a copy for me from their university library and if I like it, I'll hunt for a copy (used most likely, lol) to add to my personal library. (:
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