China Photo Gallery: Images and pictures of China

Blind massage in China, pictures

Blind massage has a long history in China.

The tradition is traced back to the Buddhist monk Jianzhen who became blind in old age due to an infection. In the 1990s the practice began to spread across the country and in 1996 the China Massage Association of Blind Practitioners was founded. At least 120,000 blind people are working in the industry in the country, according to the China Disabled Persons’ Federation (CDPF).

The massages practiced by blind masseurs belong to a form of tuina (推拿), a traditional Chinese massage therapy. According to the World Blind Union Asia Pacific in 2018 there were over 17.5 million people with severe visual impairment or blind people in China, thus representing one of the largest groups of disabled people in the country.

Although policies have been introduced over the years to encourage the inclusion of blind people, this group often fails to access the labor market.

These pictures were taken in Kunming, Yunnan province.

Photos by Matteo Damiani

source

China Underground

China-underground is website about China and Chinese culture.

Recent Posts

Ancient Chinese Astronomy: History, Myths & Facts

From Xiu to Dragons: Understanding Chinese Constellations. Ancient Chinese astronomy reflects a deep-rooted interest in…

4 days ago

China’s “996” Work Culture: Impacts and Implications

Balancing Ambition and Well-being: A Look at the "996" Phenomenon. The "996" work culture (九九六工作制)…

6 days ago

Hong Kong’s Quest for Gender Equality: TWF’s #BreakZeroSum Campaign 2023

Gender Equality is a Win-win. The Women's Foundation (TWF) launched the #BreakZeroSum video campaign aimed…

1 week ago

Journey to Wang Tong: Larry Feign’s Enigmatic Village Tales

The Village At The Center of the World: Larry Feign's Vivid Visual Chronicles Acclaimed writer…

1 week ago

Tokyo Experiences the Charm of Sichuan Baijiu and Culinary Wonders

The Fusion of Flavors: Sichuan Meets Tokyo. The flavors and traditions of China's premier liquor…

2 weeks ago

“Moonlight Sculptor: Dark Gamer” Debuts Across Asian Markets Today

XLGAMES Reveals Newest Game: "Moonlight Sculptor: Dark Gamer". Leading gaming corporation, XLGAMES, Inc., helmed by…

2 weeks ago