Woodblock illustration from a work on 'Chinese' medicine by the 18th century Japanese physician Hara Masakatsu, published in 1807 (4th year of the Bunkwa era). Dumai (Governor Vessel) is one of the Eight Extraordinary Channels (Qi jing ba mai). Originating in the lower abdomen, it exits in the perineum, then runs towards the rear and ascends within the spinal column as far as the fengfu (Palace of Wind) point where it enters the thorax. Having reached the top of the head, it redescends along the midpoint of the forehead, passes under the bridge of the nose and terminates at a point in the gum. Acu-moxa locations on this channel include changqiang (Long Strength), yaoshu (Lumbar Conveyor), yangguan (Yang Pass), mingmen (Portal of Life), xuanshu (Suspended Pivot), jizhong (Centre of the Spine), jinsuo (Sinew Contraction), zhiyang (Reaching Yang), lingtai (Spirit Terrace), shendao (Numinous Path) and shenzhu (Body Pillar).
