The history of shiatsu dates back in ancient times, where humans instinctively known that pain can be suppressed by putting a hand on the affected area. At that time, it was known Teate (pronounced "te-a-te" which means "hands-on" in Japanese). In ancient times, humans instinctively known that pain can be suppressed by putting a hand on the affected area. Before traditional Chinese therapies, such as acupuncture and tuina (known as "anma" in Japan), were introduced to Japan around 1000 AD - the practice of this hands on therapy was a semi-mystical activity performed by women and the blind.
The oldest record of sickness being treated by Teate was about 2000 years ago. Recorded in an old Japanese poem, Sukunahikonakami - the father of Japanese medicine, cured ailments with his bare hands. The term, "Shiatsu" may have been first cited in a 1915 book, Tenpaku Tamai's, "Shiatsu Ryoho".
In 1945, after World War II - traditional form of Japanese medicine were banned by the MacArthur government occupation; after hearing stories of returning POWs being treated with needles and moxabustion when they fell ill. The ban caused much protest; and because there were still many blind shiatsu/anma practitioners, it was rescinded when Helen Keller interceded with the American government.
In the history of shiatsu therapy, it was known as Teate, and now this hands on therapy has become an evolving form, and various styles incorporated with the aspects of: Japanese massage traditions, Chinese Medicine and Western anatomy and physiology. Some styles uses elbows, knees and fists (e.g. Iohkai Shiatsu).
There are two main schools:1. Western concept (Involves the study of anatomy and physiology).
The most well-known people are Tokujiro Namikoshi and Shizuto Masunaga. Here are some brief history about them:
He is known as the "Father of Shiatsu". At 7 years old, he developed a technique by pressing with his thumbs and palms to nurse his mother, who suffered from rheumatoid arthritis. First using 80% rubbing and 20% pressing. He found that reversing the percentages was more effective.
Namikoshi treated many high profile persons such as:The Namikoshi school continues to devote in reconciling the ancient massage arts of Japan with Western medicine - in line with the efforts Japan made since the turn of the 20th century to "Westernize" certain elements of its culture.
He was originally a student of Namikoshi and then teacher at Japan Shiatsu College, and professor of psychology at Tokyo University. He opened his own school, Iokai Center of Shiatsu and taught what has become known as, Zen Shiatsu - based on Traditional Chinese Medicine. It was his book, "Zen Shiatsu" - published in the 1970s that was instrumental in establishing the techniques outside Japan.
Masunaga, was intent on reconciling the massage arts with TCM, and went back to early texts such as the "Huang-Di Nei Jing: The Yellow Emperor's Essentials of Medicine" - a compilation of Taoist theory and a text book of acupuncture, which influenced most shiatsu styles today.
References and more information on Shiatsu can be found here at www.answers.com/Shiatsu