Zanshins

Examples of Sterling Silver Zanshins

Above are four examples of zanshins.  This may seem confusing to some because many do not realize that yoneyamas are considered zanshins as well. Stephen Birch references the Ling Shu as describing the zanshin as "having a large head with a sharp tip that is inserted very shallowly."*   This description is rather vague and explains why there are differing interpretations of this tool.  Of course we do not insert the yoneyama in modern practice, but the sharp point remains useful for point stimulation. 

The omeyama yoneyama shown is my own embellishment of the classic yoneyama shape (top left).  The classic yoneyama shape that we are all familiar with has a very playful and active energetic to it.  I believe this is due to the highly dichotomous nature of the tool; a large "yang" blade combined with a small sharp point.  This makes the tool very top-heavy and urges it to oscillate when being used for point stimulation.  The length of this tool is fairly short (less than 2") which lessens the imbalance of mass caused by these two opposing ends.  This short length also makes the tool feel "handier," fitting in the fingertips and being used for quick and active stroking along the meridian with the blade or scattering with the point.  The elongated yoneyama shown is my own variation of the classic shape and makes an excellent pediatric tool. The extra length allows the pointed end to have a more stable feel for point stimulation while the blade can still be used for invigorating qi and blood on the surface.  The blade of both of these tools is very angular/sharp/yang and is quite invigorating/dispersing compared to the the yin nature of an enshin ball.

The tool that we generally think of as a "zanshin" is a long cone made by folding a pie shaped section of metal into a cone shape.  This creates a pointed end and a hollow and curved bladed end.  The bladed end can be used for point stimulation as well as being used for "pocking" the surface.  This pocking is accomplished by lightly tapping the hollow end so that it lands on the skin in a parallel plane so that a suction cup popping sound is made.  This is another method of invigorating qi and blood flow.   The zanshin shown is a variation of the classic folded tool described above, except that it is made of solid silver round bar that is forged into a point and hollowed on the other end.  I prefer making them this way and like the added mass obtained.  The tool is also smaller in diameter than the folded form, which gives both ends a much more precise feel.  The pocking effect is similar, although I would say it is slightly stronger (more dispersive) with the smaller hollow.  The reason I believe this to be true is simple physics.  The smaller hollow has a smaller surface area contacting the skin so the force is divided across that area.  For this reason, the smaller hollow end should be used in a more gentle way than its bigger brother.   The zanshin traditionally had a pointed end, but this version can be made with a ball end if you prefer (as shown).

*Birch, Stephen & Junko Ida,  Japanese Acupuncture.  Paradigm Publications, Brookline, MA. 1998.  pg. 46.

The "Micro" Teishin

The Micro Teishin (right)

Often, I have my own bias towards heavier weight acupuncture tools.  I think it comes from our innate misunderstanding and insecurity to believe that more is better.  When we see that a heavier gold teishin is much more expensive, without thought, we believe that it must be better.  The opposite may be true.  Recently, a toyohari practitioner asked me to make him a very small teishin 1 mm diameter by 57 mm long with a very small round ball end a subtle tapered blunt end on the other.  It is a joy to work with practitioners that know what they want and why they want it that way.  From their need creates the necessity and expands my own thinking about the tools and how they are used.  In these instances I am not the designer and become merely a craftsman for the execution of that design.    Often the problem solving that comes with these new designs is reward in itself.  In this instance, the challenge is creating a uniform and precise ball end on such a small diameter wire that wants to bend away from each file stroke.  I must admit the first 5 attempts were failures, but I am excited that, after a bit of practice, I can produce them consistently.  The gold teishin in the above picture, left is a fairly standard, although heavy, 14 gage (1.75mm) by 3" size.  The center teishin is sterling silver 16 gage (1.25mm) by 58mm long.  Finally, the "micro" teishin on the right is 18 gage (1.0mm) by 57mm long in 18k royal yellow gold.  I consider both the silver and gold teishin to be in the "micro" category.  The silver teishin needs to be made slightly heavier to compensate for the lighter weight and decreased rigidity inherent to silver tools.  By dropping the weight of the teishin, we gain precision, delicacy, and specificity.  The small diameter also facilitates a consolidated oshide which is crucial for optimum tonification.  All this at a lower price point that will make owning a gold teishin within the grasp of many beginning practitioners.

Omeyama Yoneyama

Omeyama  Yoneyama

The yoneyama has always been a very versatile tool for meridian therapy.  I added a little flare to this one by cutting out an Om symbol in it.  The Om also adds a degree of grip and control on the tool.  So if you are an Ayurvedic practitioner as well, this may be just the tool to get your prana flowing!
1 3/4" by 1 1/8"  sterling silver.

The Weight Forward Teardrop Teishin

Teardrop Teishin

Teishin length and balance are very critical to the way the teishin feels in the hand.  When a teishin is made too long the practitioners attention begins to follow the tail end of the tool rather than the stimulating end.  This  also occurs when a teishin has one heavy tip and one fine tip.  Of course, we make teishins in this way because we like the  benefits of a multifunctional tool.  With even larger diameter teishins we add a third surface for treatment; the length of the tool (for brushing or rubbing along treatment areas).   In nature we see that some things in life are "weight forward" such as a fish or a birds wing cross-section and they are more efficient in moving forward or have a forward qi.  I have been wanting to make a teishin designed primarily around one functional end with the tool itself having a forward qi energetic.  This teishin is shaped like an elongated teardrop with most of its mass lying within the fingertips.  Another way to understand this tool is to imagine it in water.  If you held it horizontally and then released it in the water the tip would rotate downward and the tip would direct the tool straight down.  The tip can be made sharp, ball ended, or blunt while the tail end has a long graceful taper.  Having this long taper ensures the practitioner has a strong awareness of the tool's vector or directionality. Of course the tip of the tail end may still be used for treatment but you will miss the forward qi effect once you have experienced it!

The Enshin "Ring"

Enshin "Ring"

Recently I was asked to make an Enshin "Ring."  I had never handled a tool like this so I was not sure what to expect, but now I think I am in love. The enshin "ring" is held between the pointer and middle fingers (most often) and can be used to stroke, wave, tap or even grip the meridian.  This tool is very different in use than many more standard acupuncture tools because it is a very active/yang tool.  Most tools require that you use your left/yin/receptive hand in use, but this one is pure yang, belonging in the right hand and having movement as its key use.  I was feeling a bit like I was coming down with a cold the day I finished this tool and used the domed end to rub down the length of my lower leg stomach meridian, followed by tapping the balled end on points along my occipital ridge.  Immediately, the fatigue was lifted and the soreness of my throat dissipated and I was able to avoid becoming sick.  This tool is wonderful for treating broad lengths of meridian like the portions of the large intestine and stomach meridians distal to the elbows and knees and especially the length of the bladder meridian along the spine and calves.  Tapping with the balled end on the occiput and shoulder regions is very effective in dissipating shoulder tension.  I believe this tool shines in self treatment techniques such as some of the qi gong self cultivation techniques.  One of the reasons for this is that the tool fits so nicely in the hands, it takes no conscious effort to use and becomes a natural extension of the hands.  Many times when we treat ourselves, the concentration required to manipulate the tool or insert needles doesn't allow us to be fully receptive to the treatment.  This tool has reminded me how important self treatment is, not only for our own health but so that we have an understanding, as practitioners, of what our patients are experiencing.

Teishin In An Enshin 3 In 1 Tool

Ever since I have made the neck needle I have been wanting to make an enshin with a teishin inside of it.   This is the first prototype and I am quite happy with it. It has a 9 mm ball end and 7 gage shaft for the enshin.  This is quite small by enshin standards but is a very useable size especially for pediatric treatments.  The teishin itself is 14 gage and very sharp.  Because the Enshin has a blunt end as well as the ball end, the teishin makes it a 3 in 1 tool.  The next version of this tool will have a classic style teishin inside of it with one blunt and one sharp end. The teishin will be separate from the Enshin and screw end cap.  This will result in a 4 in 1 tool that can be safely carried for travel or treatments on the go.

Silver Acupuncture Needles

Last December I had a client request that I make him some acupuncture needles.  This was something I had never done before so I was somewhat apprehensive and worried about liability.  Knowing the benefits of the healing metals in treatment I knew their potential could be extraordinary.  Silver is quite easy to bend especially in lighter gages, so I made the first two needles shown below quite heavy.  The two needles are approximately 18 gage, the lowest being 18k gold and the upper being silver.  The picture is deceiving because they do not look heavy, but now consider that these two needles have a 3" shaft and you will realize that only someone trained in some type of sadomasochistic healing ritual would attempt to insert them.  Well, he did and loved them, claiming benefits far superior to standard needles on the sciatic pain he was suffering from.  Recently he ordered another dozen of 1.5" and 24 gage.  These needles are shown with their fine copper insertion tube.  Unfortunately, making needles by hand is very labor intensive; each needle requiring almost as much time and attention as a teishin.  Sharpening the wobbly tips is difficult and tedious.  It is difficult to charge a price for them that is compensatory for the labor involved. I think it have talked myself out of the job.  There are companies like Maeda that specialize in these types of needles and I think I will be sending most of my clients to them.