“Who was Ishii Juji?” a curious traveler asks. The Stone in Osaka marks the spot of Ishii Memorial Aizen Garden’s origin. It holds a profound legacy of social welfare.
This memorial stone commemorates the work of the Ishii Memorial Aizen Garden. The Aizen Garden was founded in 1917 by Ohara Sunao. Ohara Sunao carried on the will of Ishii Juji. Ishii Juji had established orphanages and night schools.
Ohara Sunao, a Kurashiki Boren textile businessman also founded the Ohara Museum of Art. The Aizen Garden became a pioneer of social welfare in Osaka. This was during an era when public social security systems were not well-established. It boasts a history spanning over a century. This long-lasting legacy is thanks to the dedication of predecessors. It also benefited from the support and cooperation of the local community.
Currently, the Ishii Memorial Aizen Garden manages three key operations. These are medical, childcare and elderly care services. As a medical institution, Aizenbashi Hospital serves as a core facility. It offers comprehensive perinatal care in the southern Osaka area. It contributes to regional healthcare centered in the Naniwa ward.
The childcare services operate four nurseries. These are in Naniwa, Nishinari and Suminoe wards. They include the Imaike Children’s Home and Aizenbashi Children’s Center. They also run the Nishinari Civic Center.
Elderly care services operate in Naniwa and Nishinari wards. They offer special nursing homes. There are also group homes, home care support centers and day service stations.
The philosophy behind these three operations is “neighborly love.” This concept comes from Ishii Juji. The Ishii Memorial Aizen Garden aims to be vital to the community. It strives to be an organization where employees feel valued.
Ishii Juji was a passionate activist and idealist. Ohara Sunao, a supporter, urged him to have more faith. Ohara Sunao was a fellow Christian and rationalist. He wanted Ishii Juji to focus more on numbers. The spirit of both men continues to influence the Aizen Garden.
The Aizen Garden’s operations do not pursue profits above all else. Each project contributes to society. They aim to sustain social contributions. They strive to generate reasonable profits. They also aim to accumulate assets for the future.
The environment surrounding these endeavors is increasingly challenging. The Ishii Memorial Aizen Garden aims to overcome these difficulties. It seeks to balance ideals with sound management. This ensures the continuation and development of its three core services. This is a testament to the enduring legacy of Ishii Juji and Ohara Sunao. The logo incorporates Ishii Juji’s spirit. The “I” represents Ishii Juji and a person. The “A” represents Aizen Garden. It symbolizes hands gently embracing people. The “Ai” means love. It represents neighborly and human love. This reflects the hospital’s and care services’ mission. The red “I” symbolizes love. The orange “A” symbolizes warmth.