Sailing ship "Toyomaru(Yutakamaru)"-Current situation regarding the families of Leprosy patients and Former leprosy patients

The Hansen's Disease isolation policy of modern Japan has caused great damage not only to patients and Former leprosy patients but also to their families. The Leprosy Prefectural Movement, which was carried out by the public and private sectors to promote the containment of patients, spread the false perception that Hansen's Disease is a horrific infectious disease. Also, the isolation of patients and the disinfection of their homes until they were completely white instilled fear of Hansen's Disease in people and prompted them to be eliminated.

Patients and their families faced severe discrimination. In some cases, the fact that the family was detained caused them to quit their jobs, they were not allowed to use the well, and their children were refused to go to school by the school. .. In addition, the pre-existing misconception that "Hansen's Disease is a genetic disease" continued to discriminate against patients' families, especially over marriage.

As long as there was such discrimination, it was difficult for patients to go home even if they were cured. To prevent discrimination in the family, patients and Former leprosy patients even hidden their lives, while families have lived by hiding the presence of patients in their relatives.

Even now, this situation has not disappeared. While the Former leprosy patients suffers from being treated unreasonably by his family, he feels that his existence is afflicting his family. And while families are dissatisfied with being discriminated against, many are guilty of having to treat their parents, children, and siblings coldly.

The sailing ship "Toyomaru" conveys the image of the Former leprosy patients have lived through such suffering. Incorrect infectious disease control prevented patients / Former leprosy patients and their families from building the desired relationship, causing serious damage to both sides, and the damage is still ongoing, and we are this. We hope this will give you an opportunity to think about how to deal with the problem.

Outline of the event

【会期】
2021年11月6日（土）から 2022年2月6日（日）

【会場】
国立ハンセン病資料館　1階 ギャラリー

【休館日】
月曜日、および国民の祝日の翌日／年末年始

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