Retelling Obasuteyama: The Value of Alternative Medical Institutions in Japan

Authors

Benjamin E. Mizukawa, Brigham Young University
Dr. Leslie Williams, Brigham Young University

Keywords

retelling obasuteyama, alternative medical institutions, Japan

College

Humanities

Department

Asian and Near Eastern Languages

Abstract

My original proposal suggested alternative medical institutions appearing in response to Japan’s swelling elderly population provide a desirable option to both the elderly and their families in a society where multi-generation households are common yet strained. Rather than being a repository for useless old people, like the “Obasute” mountain in the Japanese folk tale, such institutions provide the elderly with meaningful socialization and activity while easing tension between them and the family that tends them at home. Accomplishing this simultaneously with regular supervision of health and chronic pain demonstrates an intact value towards respecting and caring for the elderly. Accordingly, I pursued a course of inquiry into how those involved interpret their experiences at such an institution.

Recommended Citation

Mizukawa, Benjamin E. and Williams, Dr. Leslie (2014) "Retelling Obasuteyama: The Value of Alternative Medical Institutions in Japan," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2014: Iss. 1, Article 555.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2014/iss1/555