INTRODUCTION

Introduction

In the Minamata and Ashikita regions of Kumamoto Prefecture, there are many activities to convey the history of Minamata disease, the suffering of its victims, and the town’s efforts to make use of the experience of pollution for community development.
Locally, these activities are known for “conveying the realities of Minamata disease.” Who are the people involved in this activity?　What are they trying to convey? What motivations drive this phenomenon?
In this exhibition, we will first present videos of Minamata as it is today.
After that, we will introduce the following four activities conveying the realities of Minamata disease that “I,” a researcher of MINPAKU, have investigated in the area.
– Minamata Disease Museum run by Soshisha, the Supporting Center for Minamata Disease
– Work by photographer Jin Akutagawa
– Storytelling activities at a place called Myojin-ga-hana (Cape Myojin)
– Educational activities by the government
Let us think together about what we can learn from these activities.

Fieldwork Exhibition

MINPAKU displays items relevant to the field research. This exhibition is organized in such a way that visitors can experience my fieldwork independently. The explanatory text can be considered as my field notes. The videos at the beginning of each section show interviews with key informants who are friends of mine. The poor quality photos and videos were taken by me. Please feel like you are doing fieldwork by viewing the exhibit!

What is Minamata Disease?

Do you remember Minamata disease that you probably read about in your textbooks when you were a child? Minamata disease is a form of methylmercury poisoning caused by the consumption of large amounts of fish or shellfish contaminated by methylmercury from factory effluents. Since it is a form of food poisoning, it is not contagious or inherited. It was officially discovered in Minamata City in 1956. In 1968, the Japanese government recognized it as a pollution-related disease caused by the Chisso Minamata factory. It mainly affects the brain and other parts of the nervous system, causing symptoms such as numbness in the limbs, tremors, tinnitus, and constriction of the visual field.

My Fieldwork

Anthropologists use a research method called “participant observation,” in which the researcher immerses themself in a particular social group, observing participants’ behaviors, interactions, and practices. At Soshisha, the Supporting Center for Minamata Disease (hereafter referred to as “Soshisha”), I worked with the staff to provide consultations to Minamata disease victims and to manage the Minamata Disease Museum. I also assisted the For-By-With Minamata with on-site classes and reading sessions. Through this, I learned about the world of activities that convey the realities of Minamata disease while building trusting relationships with the people involved. I began my field research in 2005, which has lasted a total of 21 months, so far.