​You can watch a recording of Yamamoto Gyo-u's calligraphy session on YouTube.

Lecturer Kim Kibun (curator of the The National Hansen's Disease Museum)

Outline of the event

Saturday, October 24, 2020, 14:00 to 15:30 (scheduled) Zoom broadcast

Advance registration required: 100 people capacity (first come, first served)

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Akira Yamamoto Akira Yamamoto and Book Held Report

Lecturer Kim Kibun (curator of the The National Hansen's Disease Museum)

This article examines the life and expression of Yamamoto Kyou (real name Kumaichi, 1899-1973), who entered Zensei Hospital (now Tama Zenshoen) at the age of 16 and became involved in a variety of cultural activities, including kabuki, haiku, and calligraphy. As if to find meaning in surviving in the isolated sanatorium, Yamamoto devoted himself to kabuki performances, honed his skills, and aimed to become a true artist. His strong will and single-minded attitude towards expression can also be seen in the way he wrote calligraphy, overcoming disabilities in his fingers and eyesight.
On the day, we received many questions about calligraphy techniques, seals, presentations made during his lifetime, etc. We have answered the questions that we were unable to answer within the allotted time in the after-talk on YouTube, so please take a look.
We will continue to use the feedback we receive from you in the survey to provide museum talks on a variety of topics related to Issues related to leprosy.

From the questionnaire

• It was a very easy-to-understand story. Mr. Akira Yamamoto, I felt a lot of wonderful books, tremendous obsession and passion, with that way of holding the brush.
• I felt that I couldn't finish the literary activity because I couldn't freely go back and forth outside the park and had a lot of restrictions.
• I participated for the first time using ZOOM, which I am not used to. Thank you very much. I was very surprised that the patient was playing Kabuki as a performer, and that not only hospital staff but also local people enjoyed Kabuki as entertainment. Although the situation is different, I remembered the story of Japanese soldiers forming a theater company and performing in New Guinea during the Pacific War. I was happy if I had the opportunity to listen to more Kabuki stories.
• The story was very organized and easy to understand. It made me think again when I was taught the life of isolation due to Hansen's Disease by focusing on the individual. I am looking forward to talking with you again.
• I heard that Mr. Kim Takamasa is learning the book, so the explanation of the book was as expected. I also heard about Kabuki and vegetable fairs for the first time. I think that various things were done in the sanatorium, but Kabuki was surprised and impressed. A webinar that even people far away can participate in is effective. I want to participate again. Thank you very much.
• It was Akira Yamamoto, who I first learned about this project. I was impressed that he was still working on the book even though he was physically handicapped and lost his eyesight. In addition, in the forced life that can only be lived in a sanatorium, many people who were involved in Kabuki as well as Akira Yamamoto do not succumb to their destiny as it is to have a "motivation to live". I felt that it also led to strength.
• I have seen Akira Yamamoto's book work at your exhibition, but I was able to hear from you today and give you a deeper inspiration about its appreciation. I don't know about Kabuki, but this person had a unique prosody not only in calligraphy and haiku, but also in prose. If you take the plunge, it may be like a musical sensibilities, and given the constraints of your eyesight as well as your physical abilities, it was the realization of your inner "eyes of the mind" or "hands of the mind." It may be. Thank you very much for today.
• The explanation about the book was easy to understand, and even if someone who didn't understand the characters at all heard it, it was interesting and very interesting.
• Thank you very much. I was able to experience how Akatsuki-san was able to open up his own life in the harsh conditions, fate, and even with severe physical disabilities. .. I imagine that the thoughts, talents, efforts, and the quietness of his later years of screaming art were intense and sharpened. I am deeply grateful to the staff of the museum who have been patiently following the trajectory of Mr. Akatsuki. We hope that you will continue to plan opportunities to learn the trajectory of the person's life through the work, like this time.
• I am surprised and respectful of what I learned in calligraphy magazines. How is the work preserved? Is it dressed up? If so, it will be by anyone.
• I understood that it was a very life-threatening book. I would like to know about Hansen's Hansen's Disease and morphine, the pain of Leprosy patients, and pain relief that were mentioned in this lecture.
• This time as well, I was taught how each person lives in a sanatorium that I had never known before. I have to ask forever about the ideal society that created a confined space, but I am learning what human beings are from those who lived a noble life in it. increase. Mr. Kim Kibun 's polite explanation also taught me how to read the book. From now on, it seems that the perspective will change not only for works made at sanatoriums, but also for other works. Thank you very much.
• I didn't know much about Akira Yamamoto, so this story was very interesting. I was impressed by the story that there was a strong desire for self-improvement even though the sanatorium was isolated from society. I would like to take a closer look at the book of Akatsuki when I visit the museum.

… We have received many other answers. Thank you very much.

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