An Introduction to Viewing of Human Body in Early Modern Japan from the Discourse Perspective of Personal Health Care (Yojo)

This paper is a plan for research that clarifies views of the human body in the using discourse of personal health care in early modern Japan. The basis of this research is the existence of the value of health that supports physical activity such as sports.However,there are many studies that are critical position about the value of health. Yojo(traditional personal health care)is fundamentally different from the practices called “health promotion”, and has been proposed as life style that brings physical and mental well-being. Thus, rethinking of yojo is proposed, focusing on the view of the human body and the discourse of yojo in early modern Japan, including historical research and methodology.