ABSTRACT
Classical prescription is long-lasting which is characterized by simple composition and obvious curative effect. It is popular over China and welcomed by many people. Japanese Kampo medicine and traditional Chinese medicine originated from the same resource but flowed into two branches. Some classical prescription experts are mostly influenced by Japanese Kampo medicine, emphasizing the correspondence between prescriptions and syndromes, physical identification and abdominal diagnosis, which have become the research direction of most classical prescription scholars. Traditional Chinese medicine and Japanese Kampo medicine differ in the dialectical system, application form, dose and dosage form of classical prescription. It is important to have a clear insight of the development status of classical prescription in Chinese medicine and that of Japanese Kampo medicine, understand the differences between them and make full use of advantages and avoid disadvantages. It can provide ideas for the correct development path of classical prescription and reference for the research of preparation of classical prescription in China.