Volume1("Treating the Body") of Heart of Medicine (Ishinpō)
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Volume1("Treating the Body") of Heart of Medicine (Ishinpō)
Compiled by Tanba no Yasuyori (912–95), Heian period, 12th century (National Treasure)Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 2
February 17, 2026 (Tue) - March 15, 2026 (Sun)Heart of Medicine (Ishinpō) is the oldest surviving medical text in Japan. It was compiled by Tanba no Yasuyori (912–995), a nobleman and doctor in service to the imperial court. Within its pages are quotations from Chinese medical writings, explaining the causes of various diseases and prescribing treatments. Many of the original sources quoted throughout have been lost, making Heart of Medicine an invaluable repository of medical knowledge.
The volume on display, “Treating the Body,” provides a general introduction. It records the fundamentals of medical practice, describes the proper mindset of a trained doctor, and explains various methods for preparing medicines from plants and other sources.
Moreover, this scroll comes from the oldest surviving manuscript copy of Heart of Medicine. Over 800 years have passed since this copy was meticulously transcribed by hand, but it remains completely intact, with no
volumes missing, making it among the most important writings in the museum’s collection.
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | National Treasure | Volume 1 ("Treating the Body") of Heart of Medicine (Ishinpō) | Compiled by Tanba no Yasuyori (912–95) | Heian period, 12th century | B-3178-1 |