Japanese Abdominal Diagnosis: Fukushin

COURSE DETAILS

8 Online Classes (20 hours)
In-Person Training TBA

Online Course begins September 5, 2025
In – Person Trainings TBA

20 total credits NCCAOM (Provider #287) and California
(Pending for Course 1, Sharon Weizenbaum Provider #679)

Japanese abdominal diagnosis or Fukushin is the diagnostic art developed in medieval Japan (Edo period 1603-1867 CE) based on the classical writings by Zhang Zhongjing. Careful inspection of the Shanghan Zabing Lun reveals countless references to abdominal conditions that could only have been diagnosed by actual palpation of the abdomen. The skill however never fully developed in China but flourished in Japan. Throughout history, two major schools and types of abdominal diagnosis developed; Nanjing and Shanghan Lun schools, which respectively diagnose the abdomen in service of either acupuncture or meridian treatment, and herbal treatment.

The purpose of this class is to improve practitioners’ clinical skills to diagnose. They will learn to match abdominal findings with herbal prescriptions.

Classes can be attended live or watched as video recordings.
Students will retain access to the video recordings once the course has concluded.

Kumiko grew up in Kobe, Japan. At the age of fourteen years, she moved to Eugene, Oregon with her parents to study English. Influenced by her mother, Taiji master Machiko Shirai, she learned to appreciate Asian medical and martial arts from an early age. Kumiko has been practicing Aikido for almost twenty years. After graduating from high school, Kumiko attended Oregon State University (OSU) where she majored in Chinese Studies and graduated with a Bachelor in Science. She then continued her studies in Chinese philosophy and science by enrolling in the School of Classical Chinese Medicine at the National College of Natural Medicine (NCNM) in Portland, where she ultimately graduated with her Masters in Science of Oriental Medicine.

Having experienced both Eastern and Western cultures, Kumiko understands how the ancient medicine of East Asia benefits the people of the West. She is able to bridge cultures and approach each individual by teaching them about Eastern wisdom for the benefit of their physical and mental health.

Beside acupuncture, Kumiko is specialized in classical herbal medicine in which she received rigorous training by Dr. Arnaud Versluys in the Han-dynasty style of Chinese herbal prescriptions. She also continued her specialization by training with Dr. Nigel Dawes in Japanese abdominal diagnosis, also known as Fukushin. Kumiko also received focused instruction in gynecology and obstetrics by Dr. Xiaoli Chen.

Kumiko is currently in private medical practice in Portland, Oregon. She teaches Abdominal Diagnosis seminars both in the US and in Europe. Kumiko enjoys training Aikido, Taiji, gardening, and traveling especially to her home, Japan.