Saiseikan, Medical museum in Kajō Park, Yamagata, Japan
The Saiseikan is a former hospital building in Kajō Park that displays a distinctive architectural style blending Western and Japanese elements. Its structure combines foreign design principles with traditional construction techniques used in Yamagata.
The facility was established in September 1878 under orders from Yamagata's first prefectural governor and initially operated as a medical center. This founding was part of the modernization of medical services in the region during that period.
The second floor auditorium displays a calligraphic inscription of the name Saiseikan written by a prominent statesman from the Meiji period. This artwork reflects the building's connection to important figures of that era.
The museum displays medical artifacts from the Edo and Meiji periods and welcomes visitors without requiring entrance fees. The building is open regularly for those interested in exploring the history of medical practice in Japan.
The fourth floor was removed in 1945 as a precaution against potential World War II air raids. This removal shows how the facility was adapted during wartime pressures.
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