Japanese Acupuncture with Masakazu Ikeda

Still in the throes of jetlag, I have decided to attempt to put the essence of my experience in Japan into words before I immerse myself in the editing of a plethora of images.

I trust that the sensory perceptions received by me in the clinic of Japanese master acupuncturist Masakazu Ikeda sensei will come into play in the most positive way for my patients when I recommence Acupuncture practice in clinic this week.

For it is here, in the world of unspoken action that the true meaning of my visit to Imabari lies.

Ikeda sensei’s clinic in Imabari, Japan

Precious few words were exchanged during my visit, due in the main to my incredibly poor Japanese language skills and the Japanese custom of passing on clinical skills through observation and practice, first and foremost.

Masakazu Ikeda, Imabari, March 2009

I spent my time either watching Ikeda sensei or his students practicing in clinic, reading in it’s entirety, ‘Traditional Japanese Acupuncture, Fundamentals of Meridian Therapy ‘, written in the main by Ikeda sensei on behalf of the Society of Traditional Japanese Medicine, watching on DVD Ikeda sensei’s groundbreaking 3 day Traditional Japanese Acupuncture workshop at Bond University in August 1996 on the Gold Coast, eating or sleeping.

Awesome deshi, Ayako, Takeshi, Mai, Yasunori

As a crack of thunder crashes across the evening sky my body wrestles with the climatic differences of southern Japan and the Gold Coast.

There were a couple of days where the maximum temperature did not get into double digits.

One of a number of sources of Yang energy in clinic, note the Yin energy perched atop the flame.

Yet another source of energy, a gift to Ikeda sensei from me on behalf of Australian Acupuncturists in August 1996.

I am unsure what the minimum temperatures were, other than to say that a full rug up was required immediately upon sunset.

From the moment I left Kansai airport on the outskirts of Osaka Japan until I returned I did not see a single gaijin (Westerner).

In a nutshell, my journey was incredibly challenging, sometimes humorous and ultimately rewarding on both personal and professional levels.

From the inevitable frustrations of being ‘lost in translation’ at all levels of life including eating, to the deep and abiding social politeness of Japanese culture my awareness was fully challenged.

Ikeda sensei with his dedicated and fully committed deshi.

I trust that these challenges and the subsequent learning is transmitted through my practice of Traditional Japanese Acupuncture, my patients benefit in the utmost and my students are cognitive of subtle change in my hands.

I am starting to see double which I take as a sign for me to close.

More thunder and lightning reinforces this decision.

I hope you are well and happy.

Lotsa,
Alan

Alan Jansson is an internationally recognized teacher and practitioner of Traditional Japanese Acupuncture.  For well over a decade, independent of and in conjunction with Masakazu Ikeda sensei and Edward Obaidey, Alan has presented, convened and hosted in the vicinity of 30 Traditional Japanese Acupuncture workshops in Australia, New Zealand and USA. Driven by a strong desire to promote the consumer friendly nature, clinical efficacy and potency of Meridian Based Traditional Japanese Acupuncture, Alan is a staunch advocate of practically based workshops and draws upon his 25 years clinical experience and 14 years post and undergraduate teaching in a concerted effort to lift the bar globally in the clinical application of this most amazing medical art.

Join him in Exploring the Art of Acupuncture in the 21st century at http://www.Worldacupunctureblog.com

For more info, please visit: http://www.Worldacupuncture.com