Japanese Hospitals

Between 1903 and 1942, the Japanese-American community, feelingthe needforbetterhealth care for its people, opened several “Japanese” hospitals and midwife establishments in “Japan Town,” between 3rd and 4th, L and M Streets.

First was Nihon Byoin, the “Japanese Hospital,” (1903 to 1912)runbyDr. Mas^jiMatsudaat13144thStreet. Later, there was the Takeoka Byoin (Hospital), in 1907, at 314 M Street,Dr.MinokichiTakeokaincharge. Thishospital (191014) became OfuByoin, “Sacramento Hospital.” Dr. Iseri and Dr. Hashinaga were natives of the Mumamoto Prefecture, andthelocalKumamotoPrefecturalAssociationhelpedinthe management.

In 1913 the Nihon Hospital at 1318 4th Street was opened, its relationship, ifany, to the Nihon Byoin, mentioned above, is notknown.47

The Eagle Hospital at 1210 3rd Street was founded by Tsunesaburo Miyakawa, apharmacist, it was the predecessorofthebetterknown Agnes MiyakawaHospital. As owner oftheEagleHospital,Miyakawaexpressedthefeelings ofthe Japanese-American community when he wrote: “Sincemyprofessionisthatofapharmacist, Ihad many opportunities to get in touch with the sick anditwas my dutytovisitdailythose who were in the hospitals operated by Caucasians. I was not pleasedwiththeattitudewhichprevailedinhospitals toward Japanese patients.” 48

Thus he became determined to build a hospital forhis ownpeople. However, the Eagle Hospitalwas forced to close duetostreetnoiseand“financialdifficulties.” Mr.Miyakawa stated, “I gave too many credits to the patients and their friends and acquaintances.” Also, in 1918-19, therewas the nationwideinfluenza epidemic followed by failure ofthe rice crop and local Japanese banking institutions in 1920. The Eagle Hospitalbecame a hotel.

On January 1, 1926, the Agnes Miyakawa Hospital openedasafull-serviceinstitutionwith thelatestequipment. Located on the southeast corner of4th and N Streets, itwas named for Miyakawa’s daughter, a well-known vocalist. It

Takeoka Byoin (Hospital), 314 M St., 1907. From the book, “OhfuHeigenNoNishikiShashin-cho,”BrocadeofSacramento Valley, Sacramento Ethnic History Project Collection, Sacramento Archives and Collection Center.

wetspatronizedbyJapaneseandCaucasiandoctorsalike. Mr. Miyakawahadspent two yearsstudyingthemanagementof hospitals. In the first year, 202 operations were performed and 12babiesdelivered. Thetotalcostformaternitycarewas

$100.

Caucasiandoctorswereprovidedwithinterpreterswhen necessary. BothJapaneseandAmericanfoodwasserved,and aroomwas available for anyonewhowanted tohelp care for arelative orfriend. Recognizinganeed forJapanesenurses, Miyakawaofferedworkatthehospitaltohelppaythetuition ofJapanese-American girls who planned to become nurses. Mr. Miyakawa also opened a dispensary, in 1926, for indigentorelderlyresidentJapanese. Hisregulations specified that(1) infectious patients could notbe admitted forthe

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Ofu Byoin (Sacramento Hospital), 314 M St., 1910-1914, formerly Takeoka Byoin, Drs. Iseri and Hashinaga. From the book, “Hokka No Shiori,B (Album of Northern California), SacramentoEthnicHistoryProject, SacramentoArchivesand Collection Center.

time being; (2) dispensary inpatients must first obtain a permit from either the local Japanese Association, the BuddhistChurch, oraChristianchurch; and(3)theyshouldbring theirownbedclothesandtoiletries tominimizetheirhospital expenses. He also started a health clinic to give advice.

In 1933, Miyakawa sold his hospital, which in turn becametheGrandHotel, andreturnedtoJapan. AsTroyKaji wrote in his article, “Japanese Hospitals in Sacramento:”

“The repeated extinctions ofthe Japanese hospitals are understandablein light ofthefluctuating fortunes ofthe Japanese-American community as

Nihon Byoin (Hospital), 1318 4th St., 1903-1912. From the book "Hokka No Shiori, ” (Album of Northern California), SacramentoEthnicHistoryProject, SacramentoArchivesand Collection Center.

a whole. Their initial economic successes were hampered by waves ofdiscriminatory legislation, commencing with the 1907 Gentlemen’s Agreement,continuingwiththeAlienLandLawsof1913 and 1920, and culminating with the Japanese Exclusion Act of 1924. Yet this same climate of discrimination heightened the desire within the communityforpossessingits ownhospital facility as a haven for its members in need of inpatient care.”

Agnes Miyakawa Hospital, 4th and N, 1926. Courtesy Miyakawa family.