Honda Toshiiku and Nagata Kaname
The Doctors Who Assisted Father de Rotz at the Shitsu Aid Center
Doctor Honda Toshiiku
Doctor Nagata Kaname
Medical Tools (Father de Rotz Memorial Hall)
Honda Toshiiku (1856–1917) and his younger brother Kaname (1855–1939) were born into a family of doctors in Kamiura. Toshiiku studied both Western and Chinese medicine, and Kaname went to the public Nagasaki Medical School. After Kaname graduated, he returned to Sotome, got married and was adopted by his family-in-law, changing his family name to Nagata, a common practice in Japan at the time. Father de Rotz (1840–1914) requested Toshiiku and Kaname to assist with the medical facilities of the Shitsu Aid Center, and he also instructed them in medical practice. Toshiiku learned Western internal medicine, whereas Kaname studied surgery. Much like Father de Rotz, with whom they maintained a lifelong friendship, Toshiiku and Kaname devoted their lives to the welfare of the villagers of Sotome.