Yojo-ron (Theory of Nourishing Vitality) as Human Health Culture in Japan

DOI HANDLE Web Site Open Access

Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • 日本における養生論の文化
  • ニホン ニ オケル ヨウジョウロン ノ ブンカ

Search this article

Abstract

Yojo (diet, regimen, or nourishing life) is the idea and concept of nourishing vitality or regimen for daily life in Oriental culture. It is traditional concept which has influenced people attempt to improve their health and total quality of life in Asian societies. The concept of Yojo is based on the philosophy of Lao-Zi, Lieh-Zi, Zhaung-Zi and Meng-Zi, mixed with certain elements of Taoism. In medieval Japan, only a few publications on Yojo-ron were produced. During the Edo period (1603- 1867), however, publications of Yojo-ron gradually increased. The number of publications related to Yojo-ron published with in this period constitutes about 40% of all works on Yojo during the entire Edo Period. In the Bunka, Bunsei, and Tempo eras, the issues of Yojo-ron not only included matters of physical and mental health but also various other matters regarding the general quality of life such as morality, domestic economy, culture, and education. However, other health-related issues including longevity and absence of diseases simultaneously decreased in importance. In addition, principles of Yojo such as self-restraint and austerity in daily behavior were liberalized. In 1868, Edo Bakufu(Tokugawa Shogunate) fell and a new government was established by a political power which supported the Emperor. In the early Meiji Period, NAGAYO Sensai adopted the concept of Eisei(hygiene) instead of Yojo to refer to personal health care. Texts of Eisei were published in the early Meiji Period under the title of Eisei-ron(theory of higiene). Despite the adoption of modern scientific medicine, books on Yojo-ron continued to be published after the Meiji Restoration. The content of Yojoron in Meiji Period had three dimensions: personal health, sanitation of daily life, and environmental control. Eisei-ron in this same period was similar to Yojo-ron. But Eisei-ron focused more on public affairs than Yojo-ron. In Yojo-ron, the principles of restraint of appetite and self-control (which were inherited from pre-modern Yojo-ron) remained. The emphasis on controlling the external environment was gradually extended to Yojo-ron. Therefore, the difference between Yojo and Eisei became ambiguous after this period. Although the approach to personal health care in Yojo-ron during the Edo Period persisted in the Yojo-ron of the Meiji Period, the principle of Yojo and Eisei were extended to include the affairs of society and state. The primary concern of Yojo-ron was how health and longevity could be increased with one’s effort. It is apparent that Yojo (regimen) is a whole art of human life. Therefore, the existence of Yojo-ron implies that health care should be integrated with the entire realm of self-development. The existence of Yojo-ron implies that health care should be integrated with the entire realm of self-development. Yojo is a very interesting and important cultural asset to human beings and offers an ideal foundation for ‘health culture activities’ in contemporary societies.

Journal

  • 障害史研究

    障害史研究 1 15-34, 2020-03-25

    Faculty of Social and Cultural Studies, Kyushu University

Related Projects

See more

Details 詳細情報について

Report a problem

Back to top