Hiroshi Nozaki (1926-2006) was a

Shiatsu ''Shiatsu'' ( ; ) is a form of Japanese bodywork based on concepts in traditional Chinese medicine such as qi meridians. Having been popularized in the twentieth century by Tokujiro Namikoshi (1905–2000), ''shiatsu'' derives from the older ...

master and alternative healer well known in

Switzerland ). Swiss law does not designate a ''capital'' as such, but the federal parliament and government are installed in Bern, while other federal institutions, such as the federal courts, are in other cities (Bellinzona, Lausanne, Luzern, Neuchâtel ...

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...

and

Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical re ...

for his innovative techniques of

Qigong ''Qigong'' (), ''qi gong'', ''chi kung'', ''chi 'ung'', or ''chi gung'' () is a system of coordinated body-posture and movement, breathing, and meditation used for the purposes of health, spirituality, and martial-arts training. With roots in ...

and

Yoga Yoga (; sa, योग, lit=yoke' or 'union ) is a group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines which originated in ancient India and aim to control (yoke) and still the mind, recognizing a detached witness-consciou ...

and for starting th
Ko School of Shiatsu
(School of Lightness in Japanese Language 光). He is known for foundin
Hiron Shiatsu
a branch of Shiatsu. Two books have been written about Nozaki’s life and techniques. The first was published in 2008, Hiroshi’s Rucksack of Wisdom by Maria Eisele and Hirako Toyoko Reymond. The second was in 2009, Hiroshi Nozaki School of Lightness. Swiss TV has made a documentary of his life and teachings. Nozaki treated hundreds of persons during his lifetime including Prince Tomhito Mikasa the first cousin of

Emperor Akihito is a member of the Imperial House of Japan who reigned as the 125th emperor of Japan from 7 January 1989 until his abdication on 30 April 2019. He presided over the Heisei era, ''Heisei'' being an expression of achieving peace worldwide. Bo ...

and known as the bearded Prince. Nozaki was (aka Hiron) was born 21 January 1929 in

Sapporo ( ain, サッ・ポロ・ペッ, Satporopet, lit=Dry, Great River) is a city in Japan. It is the largest city north of Tokyo and the largest city on Hokkaido, the northernmost main island of the country. It ranks as the fifth most populous city ...

, Japan. He was the son of a blind shiatsu therapist and naturopathic physician who taught his techniques to his son. After the WWII Nozaki studied law at

Chuo University , commonly referred to as or , is a private flagship research university in Tokyo, Japan. Founded in 1885 as Igirisu Hōritsu Gakkō (the English Law School), Chuo is one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions in the country. The univer ...

but was attracted to the idea of helping others and left this world to train in the healing arts. He was trained by renowned Japanese masters in Shiatsu, including such Shiastsu masters as

Tokujiro Namikoshi is the founder of Shiatsu therapy. p. 193. Biography At the age of seven, he discovered His manual therapy pressure method while treating his mother's rheumatoid arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term autoimmune disorder that p ...

, he was also trained in acupuncture, Qigong and Yoga. His blind father always remained, however, his most important teacher, because he showed him the inner spiritual side of Shiatsu and how to use his intuition to understand and treat patients needs. In 1973 Nozaki left Japan and began teaching in Switzerland founded the Ko School of Shiatsu in 1990 and developed a technique of shiatsu called the Hiron　Shiatsu. It is a type of Shiatsu that focuses holistic healing and intuitive interpretation of healing needs of the patient. The technique emphasized the co-relations between the hands, feet, face and entire body. Hiron Shiatsu includes various invigorating and relaxing foot massage techniques that work on the spine and - as a special feature - also the use of one's own feet. Hiroshi Nozaki’s doctrine consisted in large part to identify ways how to take responsibility for a healthy and happy life in your own hands. Nozaki was famous for his teaching that “By studying natural medicine you are your best doctor to protect your body and mind from disease−−Happiness, and health exists for all. He was known to say as his motto that "Deep truths are always simple". He loved nature and was quoted by an article in Shiatsu Xin magazine as the Master of Nature Healing. Nozaki died 2006 at the age of 77 years in Switzerland. He had one daughter Elisa Nozaki.

References

* * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Nozaki, Hiroshi Chuo University alumni 1920s births 2006 deaths Folk healers Shiatsu People from Hokkaido Japanese expatriates in Switzerland