Japanese acupuncture. Artwork showing the instruments and techniques used in Japanese acupuncture. This method is a traditional Chinese treatment that spread from there to neighbouring countries. Acupuncture points lie on lines (meridians) along which life energy (Qi) flows. Blocked lines cause disorders, which are treated by the correct positioning of needles or other stimulating devices. This artwork was published in 'The History of Japan', the 1777 English translation of an unpublished manuscript by the German naturalist and traveller Engelbert Kaempfer (1651-1716). For many years, this book was the main source of knowledge on Japan for the general reader in Europe.