Kampo has evolved uniquely in Japan,
Now attracting the world's attention

I was surprised to find such a place in Yotsuya, the center of Tokyo. A quiet residential area where you can't hear any traffic on the main street. The building has a nostalgic Showa era atmosphere and is surrounded by greenery, and you can even hear the chirping of birds coming from somewhere. When you enter through the sliding door, you will find an old-fashioned waiting room and reception area. Perhaps because of the scent of Chinese herbs, I felt as if my mind and body were slowly becoming more at ease.

This is Shukindo Otsuka Clinic, which is famous for its Chinese medicine treatment. This is a historic clinic that was opened in 6 by Dr. Keisetsu Otsuka, the first director who laid the foundation for modern Chinese medicine. The current director of this clinic is Dr. Kenji Watanabe, the fourth generation. Although Director Watanabe is a doctor of Western medicine, he began studying Chinese medicine when he was a student, and is pursuing the ideal form of medical care as a ``general physician'' who fuses Western and Oriental medicine.

"Kampo refers to traditional Japanese medicine. It originated from the ancient Chinese nation's Han medicine, but due to the difficulty in obtaining the raw materials for herbal medicine, it developed uniquely to Japan. For example, abdominal examination is a method unique to Chinese medicine.The way it uses prescriptions is also unique to Japan.While Western medicine treats the disease, it treats people who have the same illness. The medicines are different depending on whether you have sensitivity to cold or not.The degree of individualization is different between China and Japan."

In China, crude drugs are combined at will according to the case. On the other hand, in Japan, it is a prescription unit. The herbal medicines are combined, and the amount of each herbal medicine is adjusted based on the predetermined prescription. During the Edo period, research into Chinese medicine progressed, and many prescriptions unique to Japan were created. Furthermore, it was Japan that placed emphasis on abdominal examination, which was no longer done in China, and it is said to have had an influence on China and South Korea. Many excellent works have been published, many of which have been translated into Chinese.

However, when Western medicine began to be actively adopted during the Meiji period, Chinese medicine was abandoned. It was only in the 1970s that it was finally reconsidered. ``Traditional medicine has begun to be reconsidered around the world in response to Western medicine, which has become too fragmented.In the 1990s, ``integrative medicine,'' which combines Western medicine and Oriental medicine, has been attracting attention.Traditional medicine The trend of re-excavation is overwhelmingly more active overseas than in Japan." Traditional Chinese medicine has come to be used in general clinics in Japan as well, but it is said that in many cases it is used like Western medicine. The power of Chinese medicine can be maximized by administering medicines according to the traditional Chinese medicine philosophy.

Otsuka Hospital also receives patients from China and Korea.
many patients visit

Even if you are interested in Chinese herbal medicine, many people find it difficult to enter a Chinese herbal clinic. This is because they do not know what kind of treatment is available or in what cases it is best to go for treatment. However, Director Watanabe says that any illness can be treated. "Kampo medicine is a medicine for humans. At Otsuka Clinic, we have patients with a variety of ailments." Even if you have a specific illness such as headache, fatigue, coldness, palpitations, gastrointestinal upset, constipation, diarrhea, dysmenorrhea, acne, or atopic dermatitis, or if there is no disease that is obvious according to Western medicine, Chinese herbal medicine can be used. He says he is eligible for treatment.

On the other hand, many patients with intractable diseases such as cancer, collagen disease, ulcerative colitis, and multiple sclerosis seek Chinese medicine. For example, in the treatment of cancer, Chinese herbal medicine can reduce the side effects of anticancer drugs and radiation therapy. "By reducing the side effects, there are many cases where anti-cancer drugs can be used completely and cured. Some people use it to prevent recurrence and metastasis. In some cases, Chinese herbal medicine alone is used to improve quality of life. Even in such cases, people will be grateful that Chinese medicine will help them feel better." In many cases, mental illnesses such as panic disorder can be cured in a short period of time. While many people have been working as family doctors at Otsuka Hospital for generations, recently the number of people visiting from overseas has increased dramatically.

Director Watanabe is currently focusing on Chinese herbal medicine for pre-symptomatic conditions. ``There are three pillars of Chinese medicine: medical treatment, acupuncture, and regimen, but the most important is regimen.In other words, it is lifestyle guidance centered on diet, exercise, and sleep.It is very important to correct your daily life. If you live a normal life and take medicine when you feel tired or cold, you can prevent various diseases. Currently working as an advisor to Kanagawa Prefecture, he is also involved in promoting Mibyo. He is conducting awareness-raising activities to encourage people to pay attention to their health from a young age. In modern society, the number of people suffering from pre-illness is increasing, perhaps due to excessive stress. Director Watanabe said that by spreading traditional Japanese medicine, Kampo, to the younger generation, they will be able to maintain a healthier mind and body.

(Titles omitted)

Shukodo Otsuka Hospital
13-18 Yotsuya Sanei-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
TEL: 03-3351-7751
https://kampo-otsuka.com

Kenji Watanabe
Graduated from Keio University School of Medicine. He studied immunology at the University's Department of Internal Medicine and the Department of Genetics at Stanford University in the United States. After he returned to Japan, he studied Chinese medicine with Dr. Yasuo Otsuka. He served as Director of the Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine at Keio University School of Medicine and Professor at Keio University, and since 2019 has been Director of Shukindo Otsuka Hospital and Visiting Professor at Keio University School of Medicine.

→ Continue to “Kampo”, a traditional Japanese medicine that is attracting attention from around the world (Part 2)