Monument Commemorating Director Hanai (September 1930)
Monument Commemorating Director Hanai(September 1930)
Hanai Zenkichi was the second Director of Sorokdo National hospital. He has been showing good governance during his 8-year service as the director and died in Sorokdo.
Unlike the first director who pushed inpatients into Japanese lifestyle, Director Hanai worked devotedly, easing the regulations at the request of patients and allowing freedom of religion.
To commemorate Director Hanai's devotion, patients sought to build a monument, but the Director strongly declined it. But one year after he died of disease during his service on October 16, 1929, patients organized Director Hanai Monument Promotion Committee and raised fund worth 80 won, which was quite a sum at the time.
In September 1930, Monument of Director Hanai was finally erected next to the main building of Sorokdo Jahye Hospital and his feats were inscribed on the back side of the monument.
When the monument was in danger of being discarded in accordance with policies of clearing away the remnants of Japanese Colonialism promoted by the Liberal Party after liberation, patients buried the monument to hide it. The monument was excavated after the May 16 coup in 1961 and erected at the entrance of the Central Park and then moved to its original place in 1988.
Inscription
Sorokdo Jahye Hospital was established in 1916 as the only Hansen's disease hospital in Josun with the fund granted by Emperor Meiji. Following the first Director Arikawa Toru (appointed in June 1921), Hanai Zenkichi became the second Director and pushed for a reform while empathizing with the pain of all patients.
His benevolence is worth enumeration. First, he improved clothes and food rationed to inhabitants. Second, he allowed freedom of communication and free visits.
Third, he built wards for critically ill patients. Fourth, he expanded hospital capacity twice. Five, he introduced consolation gatherings.
Six, he promoted moral education and built facilities for recreation. Seven, he organized a mutual aid society.
Thanks to Director Hanai’s benevolence, about 700 patients could enjoy their life even in their isolated world until they died. When Director Hanai suddenly died on October 16, 1929, all patients cried in deep sorrow and decided to erect this monument.
1930
Junichiro Yajawa The third Director of Sorokdo Jahye Hospital
본문종료