Shiatsu Tsubo Point Map
Shiatsu Tsubo Point Map is a Japanese / Shiatsu — tsubo point protocol body system as transmitted through the lineage Shiatsu uses sustained, perpendicular pressure and whole-body meridian-oriented sequences in Japanese bodywork lineages. This map follows a Namikoshi-oriented selection of named tsubo and cross-references the classical Chinese channel frame used by many modern teaching texts; it is a pedagogical protocol, not a complete meridian atlas.. This page lists every point in the system with sourced placements and links to cross-tradition correspondences curated for The Body Spiritual.
Open in interactive explorerPrimary sources
- Tokujiro Namikoshi, Shiatsu: The Complete Guide (Japan Publications, 1974) — Primary modern source for Namikoshi shiatsu principles, pressure technique, and practical bodywork sequencing.
- Shizuto Masunaga, Zen Shiatsu (Japan Publications, 1977) — Secondary lineage reference for meridian-oriented shiatsu teaching and expanded whole-body treatment context.
- Huangdi Neijing · Lingshu (transl. Unschuld, California UP 2016) — Chs. 10–13 carry the classical courses of the primary channels that are used here only as a cross-reference for tsubo names, not as a claim that shiatsu and acupuncture are identical systems.
Known lineage variants
- Namikoshi shiatsu, Masunaga/Iokai shiatsu, and Chinese acupuncture use overlapping but non-identical point names, routes, and treatment logic. This file keeps the protocol explicitly Japanese shiatsu while using TCM channel names only as cross-reference metadata.
- Bilateral tsubo are represented by one midpoint marker when a front-view pair would overlap. Anatomical right is x < 0.5 and anatomical left is x > 0.5; midpoint markers do not assert a single midline point.
- The selected thirteen points are a compact study protocol, not all tsubo and not a clinical prescription. Coordinates are front-view editorial projections with widened uncertainty radii for pressure areas and posterior landmarks.
- Tsubo labels have multiple romanizations and may be taught with different pressure depths. The map preserves common Japanese/Chinese names where practical and avoids implying exact palpation tolerances.
Related systems
No other systems share this tradition label.
Points
- Hyakue (GV20) — crown tsubo — Vertex pressure point
- Tenchu (BL10) — occipital-neck tsubo — Neck transition
- Kensei (ST6 region) — jaw tsubo — Face and jaw pressure area
- Kokotsu (SI15 region) — shoulder-blade tsubo — Scapular pressure area
- Shanzhu (CV17 region) — chest tsubo — Thoracic midline
- Chukan (CV12 region) — upper-abdomen tsubo — Digestive centre
- Tenkansen (CV6 region) — lower-abdomen tsubo — Lower centre
- Kikai (CV4 region) — pelvic tsubo — Lower centre companion
- Yokotsu (GB30 region) — hip tsubo — Lateral hip pressure area
- Kekai (ST36 region) — knee tsubo — Lower-limb pressure point
- Sanyinko (SP6 region) — medial-leg tsubo — Lower-leg convergence
- Kaikei (KI3 region) — ankle tsubo — Medial ankle pressure area
- Yusen (KI1 region) — sole tsubo — Foot grounding point
Frequently asked
What is Hyakue (GV20) — crown tsubo?
Hyakue is presented as a central crown tsubo used in Japanese pressure-point teaching. The vertex coordinate is a front-view projection and does not define a biomedical or needling location.
What is Tenchu (BL10) — occipital-neck tsubo?
Tenchu marks the occiput-to-neck transition in this compact shiatsu protocol. Its posterior origin is compressed into the front silhouette, so the uncertainty radius is larger than for an anterior point.
What is Kensei (ST6 region) — jaw tsubo?
Kensei is shown as an anatomical-right jaw pressure area in the front view. The marker represents a small palpation region rather than a claim that all schools identify one identical tsubo centre.
What is Kokotsu (SI15 region) — shoulder-blade tsubo?
Kokotsu marks a shoulder-blade pressure area often reached from a side or back posture. It is projected at the lateral upper torso because this file is front view only, and the projection is intentionally broad.
What is Shanzhu (CV17 region) — chest tsubo?
This chest-midline tsubo is included as a gentle thoracic reference in the study sequence. Its front-view location is a teaching approximation and does not prescribe pressure intensity or medical use.
What is Chukan (CV12 region) — upper-abdomen tsubo?
Chukan is shown in the epigastric region as a digestion-oriented tsubo reference. The label follows a common Japanese reading while the coordinate remains an editorial body-silhouette marker.
What is Tenkansen (CV6 region) — lower-abdomen tsubo?
Tenkansen is placed in the lower abdomen as a centre-of-gravity pressure reference. Its deep designation describes the traditional bodywork teaching language, not a recommendation for forceful pressure.
What is Kikai (CV4 region) — pelvic tsubo?
Kikai marks a pelvic lower-centre companion to Tenkansen in the selected protocol. The front coordinate is an editorial projection and should not be read as a reproductive or urinary diagnosis point.
What is Yokotsu (GB30 region) — hip tsubo?
Yokotsu is drawn on the anatomical-right lateral hip as a broad pressure area. Posterior and lateral hip anatomy is compressed by the front silhouette, so the marker is intentionally imprecise.
What is Kekai (ST36 region) — knee tsubo?
Kekai is included as a knee-area tsubo in the lower-limb sequence. The point is a pressure-study marker and not a claim about joint pathology or treatment outcome.
What is Sanyinko (SP6 region) — medial-leg tsubo?
Sanyinko marks a medial lower-leg pressure region in the selected shiatsu study map. Its coordinate is widened because the front view cannot show the full medial and posterior contour of the leg.
What is Kaikei (KI3 region) — ankle tsubo?
Kaikei marks the medial ankle region used in the lower-limb pressure sequence. It is projected at the visible ankle edge and does not claim that a posterior kidney-channel course is visible in front view.
What is Yusen (KI1 region) — sole tsubo?
Yusen is the sole grounding marker at the end of this compact protocol. A single front-view midpoint stands for bilateral feet and is not a claim that one midline sole point exists.