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Heavy Prison Cell Museum

Communicating the feelings of leprosy survivors through reenactments and exhibits based on historical facts

  • Cultural Spaces
  • Based on the testimonies, a re-enactment Video was produced that conveyed the full picture of the heavy prison cell. By projecting the video on the exterior wall of the re-enactment, the harshness of the inside of the cell was expressed.

    Based on the testimonies, a re-enactment Video was produced that conveyed the full picture of the heavy prison cell. By projecting the video on the exterior wall of the re-enactment, the harshness of the inside of the cell was expressed.

  • The inside of the cell is so dark that it is impossible to tell if it is day or night. There are traces of counting dates on the wall.

    The inside of the cell is so dark that it is impossible to tell if it is day or night. There are traces of counting dates on the wall.

  • Records about individual inmates, which can be updated as new information is discovered

    Records about individual inmates, which can be updated as new information is discovered

  • It depicts the harsh winter in which some prisoners froze to death

    It depicts the harsh winter in which some prisoners froze to death

  • Heavy Prison Cell Museum
  • The inside of the cell is so dark that it is impossible to tell if it is day or night. There are traces of counting dates on the wall.
  • Records about individual inmates, which can be updated as new information is discovered
  • It depicts the harsh winter in which some prisoners froze to death

Photo: Vista Japan Hirosaki Setsuo

About the Project

Overview The "heavy prison cell" was a facility where patients who were considered to be particularly rebellious were confined and punished under the pretext of maintaining order within the leprosy sanatorium. It was in operation within the National Sanatorium Kuryu Rakusenen between 1938 and 1947 (Showa 13 and 22). The "heavy prison cell" is a symbolic presence in the history of human rights violations associated with leprosy.
The Heavy Prison Cell Museum is a human rights awareness facility that examines the negative legacy of the "heavy prison cells" and encourages people to think about prejudice and discrimination. It consists of a full-scale reproduction of a "heavy prison cell," an exhibition room that displays testimony Video and excavated materials, and a lecture room that shows guidance Video.
Issues/Themes To express the strangeness and harshness of the "high-security prison" and to convey the feelings of those who have recovered from Hansen's disease.
To create a space where visitors can think about prejudice and discrimination as their own personal issues.
The exhibits must be accurate and based on historical facts.
Space Solution/Realization In recreating the "heavy prison cell" in its entirety and Video Production, we repeatedly interviewed survivors of leprosy who have been engaged in human rights awareness activities for many years, and shaped their desire to "create a society in which the tragedy of human rights violations will never be repeated by passing on the stories of the misery of the heavy prison cell." Regarding the presentation of the exhibit, we held repeated discussions with experts who have worked on the issue of leprosy, and considered ways to convey the message in a way that is easy to understand for both children and adults. In addition, together with the supervisor, we analyzed documents related to the "heavy prison cell" and the results of excavations at the site, and created a recreation and exhibit of the "heavy prison cell" that is based on historical facts.

Basic Information

Client Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
Services Provided Research & Analysis, Display Planning, Design, Layout, Production, Construction
Our Team Total Direcion: Akihiko Wada
Direction: Noriko Watabiki
Planning: Hiroki Kuramoto, Noriaki Tanigawa
Design, Layout: Ryo Takai, Hiroshi Nakai
Awards "48th SDA Award" Sign Design Excellence Award
"DSA Space Design Award 2014" Jury Award/Toyoguchi Kyo Award
Location Gunma Prefecture
Open April 2014
Website http://sjpm.hansen-dis.jp/
Tag

*The shared information and details of the project is accurate as of the date they were posted. There may have been unannounced changes at a later date.

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