Hydnocarpus Oil (1937 -1948)

Purified by Mr. Heibei Okamura from Sakai (Osaka Prefecture in Japan) in 1879. This oil used to be a major treatment for leprosy until Promin was produced.

Promin

Treatment for leprosy. Its effect was first identified in the United States in 1943. In 1946, Prof. Morizo Ishidate elaborated its effects for the first time in Japan.

MDT

Medicines for Multi-drug Therapy/MDT (Triple) (1981) Current treatment for leprosy proposed by WHO. (Rifampicin, Dapsone, B663)

Aisei-en Pottery Coin Bank (1935)

Made of clay from the Aisei-en sanatorium. These were used to collect donations during the period of the leprosy elimination movement.

 

Nagashima Bill (1948)

It became hard to get tin during the war, so paper money was used instead.

 

Metal Plate (1931-1955)

Used for recording invoices instead of paper so that it could be sterilized every time it was used.

Reel for Dossil (1961-1987)

Dossil was reused over and over, so they used this machine.

Arm Support

This was put under the blanket so that wounds did not touch other objects.

Plane

For woodwork activities.

Harmonica (1954)

The Blue Bird Band used this to create their own harmonica. They attached several harmonicas and played by rolling the instruments.

Collected Press Cuttings Reporting the “Nagashima Incident”, which occurred in 1936

Bell of Blessing

The bell was replaced in 1983 because the former one had deteriorated. A song by one of the members of the Imperial family is written on the surface.

Microscope

The first director of Aisei-en, Dr. Kensuke Mitsuda, used this microscope.

Chair and Desk used by Dr Mitsuda

Double Bass

Presented to the Blue Bird Band and the Espoire Music Band.by Ms. Mieko Kamiya, the former psychiatrist at Aisei-en.

Bass Drum (1977)

Presented by Mr. Hisaya Morishige, a Japanese actor, to the Blue Bird Band.

Oar with Lock (1931-1945)

Locked to prevent the patients from running away.

Diploma of Mr. Sigetaka Takashima

The second director of Aisei-en Sanatorium.

Painting of Legend

This painting was based on a legend of healing of a person suffering from leprosy in the Nara prefecture.

A Board on which the Lyrics of the School Song for Oku High School are Written

In 1955 a high school for leprosy patients was opened at Aisei-en. The only one of its kind. The song was written and composed by the students at that school.

Hand Saw (1947)

Used by the patients for building the residential units

Desk of the Residential Unit Manager

This was made by the residents of the sanatorium. They used the lamp black stuck to the bottom of a saucepan to color the desk.

Miniature Model of Aisei-en Sanatorium (1955)

Residents made this model by hand. It represents the sanatorium around that time, showing both the small residential units and the adolescents units, which were very rare for those days. The red line shows the separate sections for patients and workers.

Bell to Guide Blind Patients

Set on the corner of the street, in order to guide the blind patients. The bell rings in the breeze.

Anemometer (1935-1979)

Used at the Nagashima weather station, which was run by patients.

Table-Top Altar made by Residents

They made this small altar because of the scarcity of space in the residential units.

Kimono (Japanese Clothes) for Residents

Female residents were supplied with the Kimono on admission. The Kimono for women was patterned with arrow-like stripes.

Kimono (Japanese Clothes) for Residents

Male residents were supplied with these on admission to the sanatorium. The kimono for males was patterned with stripes.

Portable Pillow used by Homeless Patients

Novel by Mr. Kaijin Akashi, with His Pen and Beads

Mr. Kaijin Akashi is a former resident of Aisei-en sanatorium and also a novelist. His book “White Cat” became a bestseller.

Letter of Ms. Mieko Kamiya

Ms. Kamiya is a former psychiatrist at Aisei-en sanatorium. The letter is addressed to Mr. Kensuke Mitsuda.

Photobook of “A Small Island in Spring”(1940)

Photos in this book are taken from a movie “A Small Island in Spring”, which was originally a bestseller novel written by Ms. Masako Ogawa.

Letter Written by Ms. Masako Ogawa

Ms. Ogawa, a former medical officer at Aisei-en Sanatorium. This was sent to the residents.

Article on Arguments between Mr. Noboru Ogasawara and Dr Kensuke Mitsuda

This argument was about the segregation of leprosy patients: Mr. Ogasawara opposed the segregation policy while Dr Mitsuda was in favor.

A Framed Letter from Mr. Tamemori Irie to Dr Kensuke Mitsuda

One of the imperial family members, Mr. Irie wrote to Dr Mitsuda, that he would donate 150 maple trees.

Old Secretariat Office Constructed in 1930

This office was used for the operation of the sanatorium until 1996. It is now remodelled as a museum for the Aisei-en sanatorium and for leprosy

Interior of the Old Secretariat Office

It still retains its beautiful decoration and design.