The National Hansen's Disease Museum published a picture book, "Sumire," in March this year, based on the children's story "Sumire" by Tamio Hojo. Now, with the cooperation of all concerned parties, we are holding an exhibition of the original illustrations from the book.

What made the name of Hojo Tamio immortal wasZensei Hospital​ ​(Hospital)(CurrentTama Zenshoen​ ​(Tamazen Shoen)), he published the novel "The First Night of Life" in 1936. On the night he was admitted to Zensei Hospital, Oda, the protagonist of this novel, regrets not committing suicide when he sees the pitiful state of the patients lying in their hospital beds. At this point, Saeki (a mildly ill patient) who is attending to Oda, talks to him: "The moment anyone is infected with leprosy, that person's humanity perishes. They die. (Omitted) But, Oda, we are phoenixes. When we gain new ideas and new eyes, when we regain the life of Patients suffering from leprosy, we are reborn as humans again."
Hojo hit the nail on the head about the "acceptance of disabilities" that would be incorporated into medical care 30 or 40 years from the time of writing.

This message can also be read in the children's story "Violets." Sumire's words, "Even if no one sees me, I want to bloom as beautifully as I can, with all my might. No matter what mountain or valley I'm in, I want to continue to bloom with all my might and then fade away," are connected to what Saeki means by "resurrection." Furthermore, when the old man hears this and thinks, "That's right, I'll give up going to town too," he is just as determined as Oda, who, after hearing Saeki's story, thinks, "I guess it's best to live and see."

Hansen's Disease, which can now be cured with medicine, was virtually incurable at the time of "The First Night of Life." And it's not just illnesses, but despair and pain can devastate people in any era. I hope that the picture book "Violets" will be a great source of encouragement to children when they face difficulties in the future.