[A pioneer in occupational therapy at mental hospitals in local cities (approaches at Shichiyama Hospital at the beginning of Taisho Era)].

Occupational therapy at mental hospitals in Japan began in 1901, when Shuzo Kure created two sewing rooms in the female section of Sugamo Hospital and allowed patients to sew pillowcases and hospital gowns for use at the hospital. In 1904, Sugamo Hospital added a work section, and occupational therapy became an official part of the hospital. In addition, Kure stated in The Complete Book of Japanese Internal Medicine (Nihon Naika Zensho), published in 1916, that occupational therapy had also become popular at other mental hospitals; however, he did not refer to specifics, such as information on what kind of occupational therapy was being carried out at which hospital. Shichiyama Hospital is a private facility located in Kumatori-cho, Sennan-gun, Osaka. In 1599, some 200 years before Philippe Pinel released lunatics from their chains, Sanai Honda established Soshindo at Jokenji Temple for the treatment of mental disorders using Chinese herbal remedies. Treatment using these remedies was practiced until the 1950's. Evidence suggests that Chinese herbal remedies were being used in combination with occupational therapy, such as farm work and raising poultry, from the end of the Meiji Era. Plans of the hospital in 1913 included descriptions of a farm, and entertainment and recreational areas for patients, confirming this evidence. It also supported Kure's statement about occupational therapy having become popular at mental hospitals at the beginning of the Taisho Era. In Summary, occupational therapy was practiced at mental hospitals in local cities at the beginning of the Taisho Era, and such occupational therapy in this period was significantly influenced by Shuzo Kure; therefore, I pay my respects to this great pioneer of psychiatric medicine.