index

Part 2: Modern era

Chapter 7: Educators

NIIJIMA Jo, 1843–1890

Niijima was a religious leader and educator. In 1864, during the end of the Edo period, he secretly went to the United States and was baptized in Boston. In 1872, he joined the Iwakura Mission in the United States and observed Western systems of education. Advocating Christian-based education in Japan, he founded Doshisha Eigakko (Doshisha English School, later Doshisha University) in Kyoto after returning to Japan. In 1888, he issued his Purpose of the Foundation of Doshisha University. In January 1890, he fell ill while raising funds for the establishment of his university and later passed away while recuperating away from home.

111 Niijima Jo shokan, February 16, 1889 [INOUE Kaoru Papers: 459-6]

A letter written five days after the promulgation of the Constitution of the Empire of Japan (the Meiji Constitution). Addressed to Inoue Kaoru, then Minister of Agriculture and Commerce, the letter conveys Niijima's sympathy over the partial destruction of Inoue's residence in a fire. In a postscript, Niijima expresses shock at the assassination of Minister of Education Mori Arinori, occurring on the day of the constitution's promulgation ceremony, and mentions his recent purchase of a 7,000-tsubo (approximately 23,000 square meters) plot of land in Kyoto for a new university campus. At that time, Niijima was advancing the movement to establish a university, having published his Purpose of the Foundation of Doshisha University in November the previous year in major magazines and newspapers nationwide.

新島襄書簡

TSUDA Umeko, 1864-1929

Tsuda was an educator for women in the Meiji and Taisho eras. She went to the United States at the age of eight with four more girls including Yamakawa (married name Oyama) Sutematsu as the first female students to study abroad. After she returned to Japan, she worked as a professor at Kazoku Jogakko (Peeresses' School), Higher Normal School for Women and other schools. In 1900, she established Joshi Eigaku Juku (English School for Women) which later became Tsuda College. She was also the first chairman of Japan YWCA.

112 Tsuda Umeko shokan, December 8, 1896 [Makino Nobuaki Papers (Letters) : 588]

This is a letter of appreciation written by Tsuda who was a professor at Kazoku Jogakko (Peeresses' School) to Makino Nobuaki who was the Vice Minister of Education. It is not clear what she had requested him earlier, but she is expressing her appreciation to Makino for his great effort. Makino, the second son of Okubo Toshimichi, worked as a prefectural governor and diplomat, and he then assumed important posts including Minister of Education and Minister of Foreign Affairs. Later, he became Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal and played a role of Senior Vassal for Emperor Showa.

津田梅子書簡

SHIMODA Utako 1854-1936

Shimoda was an educator for women and a poet in the Meiji and Showa eras. She worked at the Imperial Household Ministry. The name Utako was given by the Empress for her ability as poet. After resigning from the ministry, she was engaged in establishing Toyo Jojuku for educating upper class women as well as Kazoku Jogakko (Peeresses' School) and Jissen Jogakko (later Jissen Women's University).

113 Shimoda Utako shokan, December 16, 1886 [Mishima Michitsune Papers: 318-6]

This is a letter written by Shimoda who was a professor at Kazoku Jogakko (Peeresses' School) to Mishima Michitsune, the superintendent-general of the Metropolitan Police Department. In the letter, Shimoda is informing Mishima that she will submit the copy of Kuni no sugata (113 Related material) which is the moral textbook she compiled herself to him prior to publishing in order to get his support. She is also asking how the name for the author should be. Shimoda was planning to popularize Kuni no sugata through Ito Hirobumi and other top government officials with whom she had connection. Kuni no sugata was published under the name of Mishima in March of the following year with a preface written by the Minister of Finance, Matsukata Masayoshi. Prior to this, Shimoda published textbooks such as Wabun kyokasho and Shogaku tokuhon.

下田歌子書簡

113 Related material: Kuni no sugata, 1886 [Mishima Michitsune Papers: 551-1 (ｲ)]

国のすがた

KANO Jigoro, 1860-1938

Kano was an educator in the Meiji and Showa eras, and a judo expert. After graduating from the University of Tokyo, he established the Kodokan judo hall. He developed jujutsu and founded judo, and devoted himself in researching and spreading judo. He was the first Japanese member of the IOC (International Olympic Committee), and greatly contributed to developing Japanese sports.

114 Kano Jigoro shokan, April 4, 1938 [Shimomura Hiroshi Papers (No.1): 256]

In July 1936, the IOC General Assembly decided that the Olympics would be held in Tokyo in 1940, but the protracted Sino-Japanese War jeopardized holding the Olympics. At the IOC General Assembly in Cairo in March 1938, it was decided that the Tokyo Olympics would be held as planned. After attending the general assembly, Kano who had been working hard to host the Olympic Games wrote this letter to Shimomura Hiroshi who was the chairman of the Japan Sports Association and said he still had many difficult issues to be solved. One month after the letter was written, Kano died of pneumonia on a ship returning to Japan. In July of the same year, it was decided not to hold Olympic Games in Tokyo.

嘉納治五郎書簡

NITOBE Inazo, 1862–1933

Nitobe was an educator and scholar of agricultural policy. He graduated from Sapporo Agricultural College in 1881 and later withdrew from the University of Tokyo to study in the United States and Germany. After returning to Japan, he became a professor at Sapporo Agricultural College. He later served successively as principal of the First Higher School, professor at Tokyo Imperial University, and the first president of Tokyo Woman's Christian University. Meanwhile, he also served as Under-Secretary-General of the League of Nations and chairman of the Japan Council of the Institute of Pacific Relations, guided by his conviction to serve as a "bridge across the Pacific."

115　Hokubei yuzeiki o yomite, July 16, 1927 [TSURUMI Yusuke Papers 514-4]

A piece penned by Nitobe on his impressions after reading Hokubei yuzeiki (lit. Records of a Speaking Tour Across North America) authored by Tsurumi Yusuke. Tsurumi had been Nitobe's student at the Imperial University of Tokyo and had once accompanied Nitobe on a trip to the United States. The stationery bears the letterhead of Dai Nippon Yubenkai Kodansha (present-day Kodansha), the publisher of Hokubei yuzeiki, and the envelope was also addressed to the publisher, thus suggesting that Nitobe likely wrote this piece to recommend this book. In 1924, shortly after the Japanese Exclusion Act in the Immigration Act of 1924 came into force, Tsurumi traveled alone to the United States, where he spent over a year giving public lectures and contributing articles to newspapers and magazines to promote understanding of Japan among the American public. In this letter, Nitobe criticizes the fact that such overseas efforts go unrecognized at home and states in appreciation "I can well imagine the pains that you have taken."

北米遊説記を読みて（2枚目）

北米遊説記を読みて（1枚目）