Saiseihō 濟生寶 [Rescuing Lives, a Treasure House]

Five woodcut illus. in Vol. I & one small woodcut in Vol. 4. 23.5; 29; 43; 27.5; 39 folding leaves. 8vo, orig. semi-stiff wrappers (wrappers somewhat soiled & rubbed), title-slips on upper covers, new stitching. Osaka: Tsurugaya Kyūbei 敦賀屋九兵衛, 1722.


First edition and very rare; WorldCat locates only one copy, in Japan. Terajima (b. 1654), an Osaka physician, is most famous for his massive illustrated encyclopedia Wakan sansai zue 和漢三才図会 [Illustrated Sino-Japanese Encyclopedia of the Three Reigns of Nature], published in 1712.


Like the Wakan sansai zue, the present book is an encyclopedic summary of the state of medicine in Japan in its time. Terajima was clearly deeply influenced by Chinese medical traditions and yet was active in the development of kampo (Chinese medicine and materia medica adapted to Japanese culture and needs). Terajima presents his medical theories and methods of diagnosis, along with many case histories for a wide range of specialties including women’s medicine and pediatrics.


The first volume begins with an illustrated section on pulse diagnosis, followed by detailed discussions of acupuncture and moxibustion. Pressure points are depicted.


The remaining volumes contain, in a well-organized arrangement, many case histories of diseases, including descriptions of symptoms, the proper tools of diagnosis, and treatments (all with recipes, preparations, and dosage). Detailed instructions for application of moxibustion are given. The theory of cold damage is prevalent.


The fifth volume is largely devoted to skin diseases.


Very good copy, with some minor marginal worming. Preserved in a chitsu.