Key Facts
• Restoration of Hakuen Kasahara’s mausoleum in Fukui City completed on July 6, 2025.
• Hakuen Kasahara, a local doctor, fought to eradicate smallpox in late Edo period.
• Mausoleum was reinforced with concrete foundation and Shakudani stone to prevent tilting and erosion.
• Memorial service held at Daianzenji Temple with crowdfunding supporters in attendance.
• Descendant Ken Kasahara expressed gratitude for supporters’ visits to the mausoleum.
• Fukui University Medical Alumni pledged to uphold Kasahara’s medical legacy.
• Attendees solemnly reflected on Kasahara’s contributions to medicine.
Summary
The mausoleum of Hakuen Kasahara, a Fukui-born doctor who dedicated his life to eradicating smallpox during the late Edo period, has been restored. The structure, previously affected by ground upheaval, was reinforced with a concrete foundation and Shakudani stone to ensure durability. A memorial service was held on July 6, 2025, at Daianzenji Temple, attended by crowdfunding supporters and local medical professionals. Ken Kasahara, a descendant of Hakuen, expressed his gratitude for the support and visits to the mausoleum. Members of the Fukui University Medical Alumni Association pledged to continue advancing local healthcare inspired by Kasahara’s legacy. The event highlighted the enduring impact of Kasahara’s contributions to medicine and the community’s efforts to preserve his memory.
