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- [2015 Autumn Special Exhibition] The History of Tairoin, a Private Leprosy sanatorium- 115 Years from Establishment to Closure
2015.12.30
Information on the 2015 Autumn Exhibition
*Event has ended
Private Leprosy sanatoriumLabor hospital History of the hospital - 115 years from its founding to its closure -

In a corner of Shimazaki, Kumamoto City, there was a private Catholic Leprosy sanatorium that had been in operation for 115 years. In January 2013, it quietly closed its doors due to a decline in the number of residents.
Modern Japanese Leprosy sanatorium began as medical treatment projects run by religious figures. One of these was Tairoin, founded in 1898. It began as a medical treatment project run by priest JM Cole of the Paris Foreign Missions Society and five nuns of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary in the area around Honmyoji Temple, which was one of Japan's largest Leprosy patients settlements.
In 1901, Tairoin, a sanatorium for Leprosy patients, was built on Biwazaki Hill near Honmyoji Temple. Eventually, the area also became a place where poor people such as orphaned children and elderly people abandoned by the roadside gathered, and "Seibogakaoka" was formed, where they lived together with nuns in a community based on their faith. While changing its name and function, Leprosy patients and Former leprosy patients from it.
Until now, The National Hansen's Disease Museum has mainly focused on national and public Leprosy sanatorium, but with the recent closure of Tairoin, we will be exhibiting its history from its founding to its closure. We hope that by seeing the process of its formation, which differs from that Public sanatorium, and one aspect of life in the sanatorium, visitors will gain a deeper understanding of the history of Leprosy sanatorium. We also hope that the existence of Tairoin, where Seibogaoka began, will provide an opportunity to think about the relationship between religion and social work in Japan since the modern era.
Outline of the event
[Date]
October 3, 2015(soil)From December 26(soil)
【closing day】
Mondays (except October 12th and November 23rd), and the day after national holidays
【venue】
The National Hansen's Disease Museum Exhibition Room
[Opening hours]
9:30am to 4:30pm (entry until 4pm) - Free admission
History of Tairoin, a Private Leprosy sanatorium
- 115 years from establishment to closure -
Interior of the Nakaomaru dormitory (1899)
Farming in the fields in front of the hospital ward (1904)
Christmas (1953)
*Courtesy of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary Museum
Mass of the 100th anniversary of foundation (1998)
Gallery Talk Notice
During the exhibition, on Saturday, October 17th, Saturday, November 14th, and Sunday, December 13th, from 2pm for about an hour, curators gave explanations of the exhibits. Thank you to the many people who attended.
1st Gallery Talk |
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Explanation of "Tairoin Life" |
Photo of "Surgery" (upper left) |
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Commentary on "Life at Biwazaki Waiting Hospital" |
Children watching the "This Road with the Patient" video |
2nd Gallery Talk |
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Explanation of "Introduction" |
Explanation of "Beginning of Tairoin" |
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Explanation of "Crisis of Survival" |
Photo of "Jean-Marie Cole Memorial Park" |
3rd Gallery Talk |
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"Beginning of Tairoin-Living" Commentary |
Rehabilitation facility "Joseph Farm" Commentary on |
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Explanation of "History of Our Lady Gaoka" |
After the gallery talk Q & A |