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- [2018 Spring Exhibition] Melodies that illuminate this place -Musical activities at Leprosy sanatorium
2018.07.28
Announcement of the 2018 Spring Exhibition
*Event has ended
A melody that illuminates this place - Music activities at Leprosy sanatorium-
"Harmonica has made my life better."
"Blue Bird Orchestra" Bandmaster, Koichi Kondo (Nagashima-Aiseien)
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In Leprosy sanatorium, many residents found meaning in music despite the harsh conditions of disease, disability, and isolation. This exhibition will introduce musical activities at sanatoriums. Specifically, it will focus on three activities: band activities that residents poured their passion into while battling disease and disability, karaoke that they wholeheartedly enjoyed with friends, and folk songs that remind them of their nostalgic hometowns.
The materials on display include instruments, sheet music, costumes, programs, and photos of recitals and practice sessions that were stored in sanatoriums across the country.
Left image: "Blue Bird Orchestra" (Nagashima-Aiseien)
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[Date]
April 28, 2018(soil)From July 31 (Tue)
【closing day】
Every Monday (open if Monday is a public holiday), the day after a national holiday (open if Monday is a public holiday), and maintenance days
【venue】
The National Hansen's Disease Museum Special Exhibition Room
[Opening hours]
9:30am to 4:30pm (entry until 4pm) Free admission
You can download the leaflets of the special exhibition from here. (PDF: 3,753KB)
Notice of incidental business
The National Hansen's Disease Museum Classic / Folk Song Concert
[Date and Time]
Sunday, July 8, 2018, 13:30 start (doors open 13:00), 15:30 end
【venue】
The National Hansen's Disease Museum 1st floor, Video Hall
【Performer】
Nakazato Choatsu (Sanshin Nomura School Master, Okinawa Airakuen)
Kyoko Kobotomi (Ryukyu Koto Kyoyokai Master, Okinawa Airakuen)
Hoshizuka Sanshin Club (Hoshizuka Keiaien)
Akiko Omodaka (Victor's exclusive folk singer, Tsugaru shamisen Sawada school Sawada Katsujo)
[Capacity]
130 people (No prior registration required, first come first served, free participation)
You can download the flyer for the special exhibition related events here. (PDF:328KB)
Report on the "Classical and Folk Song Concert"
A classical and folk song concert was held on Sunday, July 8th. It was a wonderful concert filled with music, singing and dancing.
▼Program
- Asahi Nakazato (Sanshin), Kyoko Kosoko (Koto)
・ Nakafu-bushi ・ Sanyama-bushi ・ Komochi-bushi - Hoshizuka Sanshin Club
・ Bashofu ・ Daughter Jintoyo ・ Shinkawa Daiyobushi ・ Okinawa ・ Asadoya Yunta (dance) ・ Playground (Eisa) - Mainly Akiko
・ Tsugaru Jon to play a song (Aomori)
・ Folk song medley Saitaro-bushi (Miyagi) Tokyo Ondo (Tokyo) Chakkiri-bushi (Shizuoka) Kagoshima Ohara-bushi (Kagoshima) Shimotsui-bushi (Okayama) Otemoyan (Kumamoto)
・ Akita Nagamochiuta (Akita)
・ Aiya Tsugaru (Aomori)
Many customers participated. Thank you very much.
![]() Opening remarks and MC (Chief Kuroo) |
![]() Introducing Okinawa's classics, folk songs and performances (Curator Tsuji) |
![]() Kyouko Kobotomi (Ryukyu Koto Kyoyokai Master, Okinawa Airakuen) |
![]() Nakazato Tomoaki (Sanshin Nomura School Master, Okinawa Airakuen) |
![]() Hoshizuka Sanshin Club (Hoshizuka Keiaien) |
![]() Hoshizuka Sanshin Club (Hoshizuka Keiaien) |
![]() Hoshizuka Sanshin Club (Hoshizuka Keiaien) |
![]() Hoshizuka Sanshin Club (Hoshizuka Keiaien) |
![]() Omodaka Akiko (Victor's exclusive folk singer, Sawada Katsujo of the Tsugaru shamisen Sawada school) |
![]() Omodaka Akiko (Victor's exclusive folk singer, Sawada Katsujo of the Tsugaru shamisen Sawada school) |
![]() Closing Remarks (Chief Kuroo) |
![]() Special Exhibition Room (Folk song section) |
Gallery talk
【May】
3 days(Celebration),Four days(Celebration),The 13th(Day),19th(soil)
【June】
2 days(soil), 24th(Day)
【July】
14th(soil),28th day(soil)
*All start at 2 p.m., lasting approximately 30 to 40 minutes
Gallery Talk Report
Gallery talks by curators will be held on the dates listed above during the exhibition period.
The program began with an explanation of Kondo Koichi's speech at the Wellesley Bayley Prize award ceremony, instead of a greeting, followed by an explanation of the passion that the residents who gathered in the orchestra poured into music, karaoke, which was a reason for living for the residents, folk songs that are important melodies that remind them of their hometowns, and finally the melodies that are engraved with memories, such as "A Thousand Winds, Hamachidori, Ah Ueno Station, Furusato."
We had a large number of customers participate. Thank you very much.
![]() greeting |
![]() greeting |
![]() Explanation of the "Orchestra" section |
![]() Explanation of the "Orchestra" section |
![]() Explanation of the "Orchestra" section |
![]() Explanation of the "Orchestra" section |
![]() Explanation of the "Orchestra" section |
![]() Explanation of the "Orchestra" section |
![]() Explanation of the "Folk Song" section |
![]() Explanation of the "Folk Song" section |
![]() Explanation of the "Karaoke" section |
![]() Explanation of the "Karaoke" section |
![]() Commentary on "Melody Engraved with Memories" |
![]() Acknowledgements |
We would like to introduce some of the opinions and feedback we have received from our customers.
- Hansen's Disease were having a hard time because of the wrong system of the country, I traced my life positively and overcame. I felt the wonderfulness of striving toward the ideal.
- I actually saw the instrument and learned how wonderful it is to be connected by music. The appearance of singing in the video was very dignified and impressed.
- I had an interesting look at the exhibition with "music" as the starting point. It is said that music crosses national borders, but I was also impressed by the appearance of the residents who found the pleasure of overcoming and expressing their physical disabilities.
- I thought it was a very good project. The appearance of the people who found a bright and rewarding life in the pain of Hansen's Disease I also felt that the curator was being interviewed more affectionately, which was also good.
- I was surprised to see that he was playing musical instruments and making posters much better than we can live a normal life. "Because I have a disability ..." It was a good opportunity to change my mind to eliminate such an image.
- I was very impressed with the support of music in difficult times and the fact that it made me want to live. Music and songs will heal you in every era. We hope that many people will be healed by the charm of music based on this project.
- The message at the entrance and the performances that flowed moved me to think that these people's hardships and their rewards were rewarded.
- I felt the depth of life. Even in the face of many hardships, I think it makes a lot of sense for us to live a positive life without forgetting to smile. Just thinking about the thoughts I had when I put the harmonica in my bag as my child's wishes made me cry. Thank you very much.
- At the entrance, there was a signboard of a life-sized curator, who asked me to look at Mr. Kondo's words, and I was able to convey my passion for the project. When I went to the performance as a volunteer, the listener was impressed and wrapped up the money. I liked the episode that the money was a package of heart and feelings. The episode of the staff who gave me guidance without distinction was also good.
- Hansen's Disease, I felt that I survived by making the best use of my favorite fields without giving up hope. Art remains, and even if you don't live in the same era together like I do now, you can touch it as a familiar existence. Art as one of the entertainment in the sanatorium. I'm really happy to see it in this way this time.