Chinese/Japanese Pulse Image chart: Sunken Pulse (chenmai)

Illustration of Sunken Pulse (chenmai) from Renyuan maiying guizhi tushuo (Pictorial Handbook of Pulse Images Based on the Person). This is a specialist text on pulse diagnosis attributed to the third-century master Shuhe, edited and revised by Shen Jifen in the Ming period (1368-1644). It discusses various pulse images and the medical conditions to which they relate, and contains 48 pulse image diagrams. This undated edition was engraved and published in Japan.

The text states: The pulse image of Sunken Pulse is as follows. When palpated lightly (ju, lit. raised), it cannot be perceived; but if one presses hard, a strong pulse can be felt beating near to the bone. Sunken Pulse relates to water Qi. If found at the cun (Inch) pulse sector of the wrist, it indicates the presence of cold-fluid (hanyin) in the chest; if found at the guan (Pass) pulse sector, it relates to fullness in the heart (xin man) and shortness of breath; if found at the chi (Foot) pulse sector of the wrist, it relates to difficulty in urination or anuria.