Kuryu Rakusen-en Sanatorium
Kuryū Rakusen-en Sanatorium, or National Sanatorium Kuryū Rakusen-en is a sanatorium for leprosy or ex-leprosy patients situated at Kusatsu-machi, Azuma-gun, Gunma Prefecture in Japan, which started in 1932. History Pre-Rakusen-en days 1869: There was a big fire in the Kusatsu Hot Spring. Later, a publicity book Kusatsu Onsen Shi (Kusatsu Hot Spring is good for health) circulated and by and by leprosy patients gathered around Kusatsu. 1888: Erwin Bälz wrote that after studying Kusatsu Hot Spring, Japanese hot springs should be used for health purposes. 1907: Bertrand met opposition to his plan of building a hospital in Kusatsu. 1913: Hannah Riddell sent the missionary Yonehara to Kusatsu. 1914: Koenkai (Light and salt society), a Christian group, was formed in Kusatsu. Mary Cornwall-Legh 1915: Mary Cornwall-Legh inspected Kusatsu. 1916: Mary Cornwall-Legh started the Barnabas' mission. 1917: St. Barnabas' Hospital started with Dr. Kesa Hattori and Nurse Chiyo Mikami. 1924: Suzuran Hospital was started by Kesa Hattori and Chiyo Mikami but soon closed after the death of Hattori. 1929: St.Barnaba Hospital was renewed (Dr. Ichiro Tsuruta). 1930: The population of Yunosawa Community was 817, one third of Kusatsu. Kusatsu Rakusen-en Sanatorium 1932: Kusatsu Rakusen-en Sanatorium started (director: Yoshiichi Furumi) 1938: Special prison