The Historical Origins of Katakori

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  • 肩こりの歴史的起源

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Abstract

There is perhaps no physical complaint more common among Japanese than katakori, or 'congealed shoulders'. This paper examines the historical origins of this affliction. It traces the beginnings of katakori to the Edo period ailment called katakori, and points to three major factors of Edo times that contributed to the formation of this ailment: 1. medical theories that saw stagnant flow as the prime source of human sickness; 2. the 'industrious revolution', in which hard work and an active life emerged as key virtues; and 3. the diagnostic and therapeutic practices of abdominal palpation and amma massage. The paper then examines some possible analogues to the notion of kori in 19th and 20th century Western medicine, and concludes with some observations about the relationship between the body and time.

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