Acupuncture, Moxibustion & Massage Day

What Is Acupuncture, Moxibustion & Massage Day?

August 9th is "Hari, Kyu, Massage no Hi" (Acupuncture, Moxibustion & Massage Day) in Japan, established in 2003 by the All Japan Acupuncture and Moxibustion Massage Association, a public interest incorporated association. The date comes from a pun on "hari (8) kyu (9)."

Why This Anniversary Is Needed

Acupuncture, moxibustion, and massage arrived from China and have a long history as traditional practices in Japan, yet accurate public understanding of these practices and their national licensing systems remains limited.

• The goal: to raise awareness of nationally licensed practitioners -- acupuncturists, moxibustion therapists, and anma massage-shiatsu therapists -- and the role they play
• Activities: events promoting acupuncture, moxibustion, and massage and the role of licensed practitioners are held nationwide to mark the day
• Its significance: beyond addressing everyday complaints like stiff shoulders and lower back pain, the day also aims to communicate the broader potential of acupuncture and moxibustion

Acupuncture, Moxibustion, and Massage as Traditional Medicine

Acupuncture and moxibustion arrived from China and developed along their own distinctive path in Japan. Descriptions of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment are said to appear in Chinese texts as early as the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. Stimulating specific points on the body is believed to promote circulation and address physical imbalances, and in recent years these practices have expanded into sports medicine and beauty treatments as well.

Three National Licenses

Acupuncturist, moxibustion therapist, and anma massage-shiatsu therapist are each separate national licenses. Practitioners must study at a training school, pass a national exam, and be licensed by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare. People who hold both the acupuncture and moxibustion licenses are sometimes called "shinkyūshi."

Tips for Marking This Day

• Visit an acupuncture or massage clinic and try a treatment for yourself
• Learn about the national licenses for acupuncturists, moxibustion therapists, and anma massage-shiatsu therapists
• Learn about the history of acupuncture and moxibustion and how they're believed to affect the body
• Think about how you care for everyday complaints like stiff shoulders or back pain

An Old Yet Ever-Evolving Approach to Traditional Medicine

Acupuncture, moxibustion, and massage have been handed down in Japan for over a thousand years while continuing to evolve today. Let August 9th be a chance to encounter this deep world of practice through care for the everyday aches and pains close to home.