Sakura Juntendo Memorial Hall

Overview

The Sakura Juntendo Memorial Hall is a museum built on the site of the private academy "Sakura Juntendo," established in the late Edo period by the Dutch physician, Hanaoka Seishu. Seishu is known for achieving the world's first surgery under general anesthesia, an accomplishment highly regarded globally. He developed, in collaboration with his wife, the anesthetic "Tsuusen-san (通仙散)" and performed a breast cancer surgery in 1804. This is considered a significant event in medical history, marking the world's first general anesthesia surgery. The memorial hall displays models recreating Seishu's surgery, along with medical texts and instruments of the time, offering a glimpse into the advanced medical practices of the era. Extensive materials are also available, detailing Seishu's life and the history of Sakura Juntendo. For example, exhibits include Seishu's medical textbook "Geka Seiyo (外科精要)" and textbooks used by students of the time. The Sakura Juntendo Memorial Hall is a precious historical site where you can experience the dawn of Western medicine in Japan. It's a valuable place to gain insight into the medical advancements and daily lives of people in that period. Be sure to visit when you're in Sakura City.