Historical Evolution of Traditional Medicine in Japan

Abstract

Traditional Japanese Medicine originated from traditional Chinese medicine and was first introduced to Japan directly from the mainland of China or the Korean Peninsula. After its dissemination, integration, adaption, and development in Japan for generations, it had evolved into Kampo medicine with Japanese characteristics and taken a leading role in Japanese medical practice. In history, there appeared successively schools such as Followers of Later Developments in Medicine, Followers of Classic Methods, Integrated School, and School of Textual Research. After Meiji Restoration, Kampo medicine experienced a tremendous impact by western medicine. However after World War II, with unremitting endeavors from learned scholars, traditional Japanese medicine was revived again.