The Pearson Memorial Hall, one of Hokkaido's heritage sites, is located near the center of Kitami City.

This memorial hall, situated on a hilltop, was once home to a couple who provided spiritual support to the people during the pioneering era.
This was once the private residence of the Pearson couple, who were engaged in missionary work in Notsukeushi (present-day Kitami City), a place whose name in the Ainu language means "the end of the earth."
That spirit, overflowing with kindness, is still deeply rooted in the people of Kitami.

This time, we'll focus on the Pearson Memorial Hall.

In an era when airplanes and trains were underdeveloped, why did this couple visit this place and become the first foreigners to live in Kitami? Why does this Western-style house still stand today? Who exactly were the Pearson couple?
I'll introduce you to many wonderful things about this memorial hall, which is still cherished by the locals.

<Contents>
History of Kitami Pearson Memorial Hall
Who are the Pearson couple?
Highlights of the Pearson Memorial
1. Introducing the belongings and achievements of the Pearson couple.
2. Panels and artifacts that provide insight into Notsukeushi at that time will be on display.
3. A collection of belongings left behind by the Pearson couple
4. Exhibits of materials related to the Pearson couple.
5. The architect of the Pearson House, who later became well-known
6. Mr. Karagasa, who dedicated himself to preserving the Pearson House.
7. Also used in music videos by famous artists.
Final thoughts

In 1914 (Taisho 3), it was the private residence used as a base for missionary activities by American missionary couple, Mr. and Mrs. Pearson.

The couple decided to live on this hilltop plot of land, which resembled their hometown of Elizabeth, New Jersey.
The Swiss mountain chalet-style mansion was very unusual at the time, and many people came to visit.

In 1928, the third year of the Showa era, when they ended their missionary work, the Pearsons left this Western-style house where they had lived for 14 years and returned to America.

After passing through the hands of several managers, in 1939 (Showa 14), Dr. Manabu Karasawa, an elder of the Kitami Association, used it as both his residence and studio.
It was known as "Kashiwagi-so" and served as a center for cultural activities in the Kitami region.

Even after the building was donated to Hokkaido, it was used as a child consultation center, and in 1969, the Kitami City Board of Education decided to restore and preserve it as a cultural property.
It opened two years later, in 1971, as the Pearson Memorial Museum.

George Peck Pearson came to Japan as a teacher at Meiji Gakuin University's School of Theology, and Ida Gopp Pearson came as a missionary for the Episcopal Church in the United States. The couple married in Tokyo and later moved their missionary base to Hokkaido.

After arriving in Hokkaido, she taught in Sapporo and Otaru, and in Asahikawa, she actively engaged in movements against the establishment of brothels, prison evangelism, human rights activities for the Ainu people and women, leaving behind many achievements.

In 1911 (Meiji 44), the Pearson couple chose Notsukeushi as their final missionary site in Japan, and spent 14 years there from 1914 (Taisho 3) to 1928 (Showa 3), concluding their approximately 40 years of missionary work.

The Pearson couple, who spent much of their time in Hokkaido, achieved the remarkable feat of publishing an annotated Old and New Testament, and were beloved by many for their dedicated work, including saving many women and people through the abolition of red-light districts.

What was the pioneering era of Kitami like?
This memorial museum is packed with exhibits about the Pearson couple and people associated with them. The beautiful sound of hymns echoing throughout the museum creates a wonderful atmosphere.

There are tons of materials and plenty to see. Let me show you around!

<1st Floor> Exhibition Rooms and Hall

This museum displays the story of how the Pearson Memorial Hall came to be, the church bell, and sketches that give insight into Notsukeushi at that time.
This is the first thing you see upon entering, and it provides an overview of the Pearson Memorial. You can see that it was a place where you could overlook the pioneering town of Notsukeushi in those days.

"Missionary Pearson and Kitami" displayed in the hall

A sketch that shows what it was like at the time.

The entire wall is covered with panels and explanatory texts below them, showing the missionary activities that the Pearson couple were engaged in at the time.
This section is very interesting as it provides insights into the lifestyles of people at that time.

In every panel, the Pearson couple, surrounded by many people and sporting gentle smiles, leave a lasting impression.
It's clear that he was loved by many people.

The Pearson Memorial Museum also displays many of his personal belongings.

Among them, the most unusual is the organ, a memento that is still in use today.
I imagine it must have been quite an undertaking to transport such a large instrument as an organ to this area, where transportation was still underdeveloped.
Apparently, it's still used in concerts held at Pearson Hall.

This particular Bible is a Japanese version with commentary by George Peck Pearson, and also includes maps, timelines, and other supplementary materials.

His work on editing the Bible was remarkable, so much so that he was awarded a Doctor of Theology degree from his alma mater, Princeton University.
You can pick this up and examine it.

<Second Floor> Bedroom and reception room

This exhibit displays materials related to people who were involved in our 34 years of missionary work in Hokkaido.
Many of you are probably wondering, "Why is Ryoma Sakamoto in this photo?"

The answer lies with Naohiro Sakamoto of Hokkosha, who was developing the area in Notsukeushi.
It turns out this person was the nephew of Ryoma Sakamoto.

As a child, he met Ryoma Sakamoto, who was 19 years his senior, and he dedicated himself to the development of Hokkaido, one of Ryoma's dreams, in order to fulfill the dream of his uncle, who died in his hometown of Kochi before achieving his goals.
It's quite moving to think that the bond between the Pearson couple and Naohiro existed in such a distant frontier land.

Until very recently, it was believed that the Pearson House was designed, supervised, and built by missionary Pearson himself.
In 1995 (Heisei 7), research by Masaaki Yamagata of Osaka University of Arts revealed that the Pearson House was W.M.
It has been revealed that it was designed by Mr. Vories.

Moreover, because it is one of his earliest works and is of great historical value, a memorial room was established in 2004 to commemorate it.

After the Pearsons returned to the United States, they used their own funds to purchase the Pearson House, which had been vacant for some time.
During this wartime period, this building, named "Kashiwagi-so," was spearheaded by the haiku poet Karagasa Nancho (real name Manabu), who made significant contributions to the cultural activities of the Kitami region.

Later, the Pearson House was donated to Hokkaido in order to preserve it.

Although it's not advertised as the Pearson Memorial Hall, it's actually a location that has been used in music videos by famous artists.
That artist is the singer MISIA.

This room was used in the music video for the song "Koi wa Owaranai Zutto" (Love Will Never End), released in 2012.
Fans from all over the country sometimes come looking for the chance to sit in the same chair as MISIA, who sings on the sofa at the front of the room.

Final thoughts

What did you think? The Pearson Memorial is full of fascinating stories about the history of Notsukeushi during the pioneering era, isn't it?
There are so many exhibits that you might lose track of time looking around.

There is an audio guide at the entrance, and a service is also available that allows you to listen to detailed explanations on your smartphone or tablet while touring the building.
Why not visit the Pearson Memorial and listen to the thoughts of yesteryear?

<Access and basic information for the Pearson Memorial>
Hokkaido Heritage Site: Pearson Memorial Museum
Address: 7-4-28 Saiwai-cho, Kitami City, Hokkaido 090-0036, Japan
TEL: (0157) 23-2546
Opening hours: 9:30 am-4:30 pm
Closed days: Every Monday, the day after a national holiday (if a national holiday falls on a Friday or Saturday, the museum will be open as usual on that day and the following day), and during the New Year holidays (December 30th to January 6th).
Free admission
Access: 15-minute walk from Kitami Station
HP:http://www.npo-pierson.org/

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