FY 2021 Joint Research Project: MATSUOKA Hiroyuki
Project
Creating a foundation to pass down the historical materials and cultural resources of National Sanatorium Nagashima-aiseien
Members
MATSUOKA Hiroyuki (Project leader)
Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Okayama University
ITO Shun
Graduate School of Education, Okayama University
KINOSHITA Hiroshi
Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University
SAITO Shinji
Graduate School of Education, Okayama University
TANAKA Kathryn
School of Economics and Management, University of Hyogo
PARK MinJeong
Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University
Project Overview
Nagashima-aiseien (Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture) was established in 1930 as Japan’s first national sanatorium for leprosy and has had significant influence on various aspects of policy surrounding leprosy treatment within Japan. In this research project, we will partner with researchers both within and outside the university in order to analyze historical materials and cultural resources that have recently been found: (1) Documents from the patients’ association; (2) Personal materials or works deriving from patient movements or artistic activities; and (3) materials concerning facility construction, maintenance, and management, etc. Based on these materials, we will clarify the spatial structure of Nagashima-aiseien and comprehensively consider the independent and creative activities of patients that were undertaken therein. This will allow us to elucidate the various conditions that allowed for life or survival in this facility from a multidisciplinary perspective. Additionally, we will consider how to create a foundation to pass down and utilize these historical materials and cultural resources as a testimony of these patients.
