I enjoyed this piece, and was able to relate with it on a few levels as my mother is Japanese and is a firm believer in the Eastern philosophy of medicine. I also grew up exposed to some of her Japanese superstitions (i.e., whistling after dark attracts burglars). I found Stephen's essay to be open and honest, and found his Westerner's appreciation of his experiences in Shanghai refreshing. Often times, the "weird" aspects are overemphasized without valuing the cultural ideologies behind Eastern medicine or superstitions.