The present paper questions the Japanese statement that Morita therapy, a Japanese form of psychotherapy devised by Morita Shoma in 1919, is based on Western medicine. This is done by comparing the methods of Morita therapy to those methods of Western forms of treatment which Morita (1874-1938) studied and used himself. As the discussion will show, the Western forms of treatment strove for a goal on the mere physical level; but in opposition to that Morita's aim was to cut the vicious circle of psychic interaction within the neurotic patient. The conclusion is that one should not say that Morita therapy is based on Western medicine, but rather that Morita was stimulated by the Western forms of treatment he studied, but felt impelled to create leis own characteristically Eastern form of therapy, while struggling with those Western therapies. Also a possible influence from leis strong and lifelong interest in Buddhism, especially in Zen, is supposed.