One of the most beautiful places to visit during cherry blossom time in Japan is the old leprosy sanatorium of Zensho-En in the suburbs of Tokyo. Cherry blossom petals float down from the trees like pink snow, covering the ground and the compound’s streets with a soft, fluffy carpet.

Officially named the Tama-Zenshoen Sanatorium for Hansen's Disease (Leprosy) in Higashimurayama, Tokyo, the residents of the sanatorium are now mainly in their 70s, 80s, and 90s with a sprinkling of a few centenarians.

A painting “Fireworks” by a resident of the Zensho-En Hansen Disease Sanatorium

All residents are completely cured of Hansen’s disease, but because of social stigma and discrimination, they prefer to continue living in the calm, tree lined, serene surroundings of the sanatorium than venturing outside to an unknown and sometimes discriminating world.

Empty lots and houses are reminders of the decreasing population as members pass away from old age and natural illnesses. The remains of those who have passed away at Zensho-En are interred in a small shrine on the grounds.

The residents’ rights are fervently protected by Mr Michihiro Ko, secretary general of Zenryokyo, the nationwide association of persons who are residents of the 15 sanatoriums throughout Japan. Ko, now 75 years old, was forced into a sanatorium when he had just barely turned 20.

Mr Ko (fourth from left), General Secretary of Zenryokyo, with visitors to Zensho-En

Cured of Hansen’s disease (leprosy) years ago, he decided to dedicate his life to the welfare of his compatriots who had to fight many social and legal battles to claim their human rights and gain acceptance by main stream society.

He knows very well the suffering and emotional problems experienced by people affected by leprosy. His own family rejected him, and refused to let him return home even after he was cured. Not allowed to marry a woman who fell in love with him in spite of his illness, he has known the depths of disappointment and depression in his life from being stigmatized.

In late February he was visited by representatives of Hansen disease related centers and organizations from around Asia to study how Zensho-En has developed over the years to become a model sanatorium for other centers in Asia.

They also visited the National Hansen’s Disease Museum established at Zensho-En with its complete archives about leprosy in Japan, and expertly designed exhibition rooms with very modern visual aids.

Pottery produced by Hansen affected artists displayed at the National Hansen Disease Museum

The visitors were invited to Japan by the Sasakawa Memorial Health Foundation, an affiliate of The Nippon Foundation, both of which support Hansen’s Disease centers throughout Asia.

The foundations’ guests were Dr Michael Chen, Secretary General of HANDA, a welfare association dedicated to the rehabilitation of former Hansen’s disease persons in Guangzhou, China; Dr Arturo Cunanan Jr., Chief, Culion Sanitarium and General Hospital in the Philppines; Dr P.K. Gopal, President, National Forum and President, IDEA India; Mr Suresh Kaul, President, Sarthak Manav Kushthashram in Kashmir; and Mr Adi Yosep, Program Director, ASEC-TNF Program on Leprosy and Human Dignity in Indonesia.

The visitors spent a whole afternoon in the leprosy museum to study its multi-layered purposes --
• To promote awareness of leprosy
• To represent and preserve the history of leprosy in Japan
• To show what persons affected by leprosy have achieved
• To help restore the dignity of persons affected by leprosy
• To demonstrate the importance of human rights and the need to end prejudice and discrimination

These guests later travelled to other sanatoriums around Japan to learn what they could apply in their own country’s organizations.