Background and Objectives

Historically, it was a “Kentai” (body gift) movement that began with the lack of anatomic body, but now it is significant that the university uses the remains for educational research based on the lifelong intention of the contributor. Learners (students and trainees) not only do anatomies, but also receive their will as well as entrusting their bodies. In addition, donors and their families have the meaning of participating in medical personnel development through donations. “Kentai" is a word from Okayama that was first used by Mr. Ryotaro Nagayasu of Kasaoka, Okayama Prefecture.

Activity overview

At Okayama University, a “Kentai” registration group was launched on June 11, 1967, and has been engaged in a dedication movement. In addition to the medical and dental school anatomical training, students are also studying medicine, master's course students, medical students outside the university, and foreign students. In Clinical Applied Anatomy (CST), training activities for improving difficult surgical procedures and medical procedures have been developed. Donated bodies in 2019FY: 121; Grand total of registered people: 7678.

Expected effect

“Kentai" is not a system that dissects the anatomic body, but is a system that inherits the will of the devotee and supports the sustainability with citizen participation aiming to improve ethical medical care.