Figure 1.--Here is Crown Prince Akihito in his Gakushuin (Peers) primary school uniform. He looks to be about 8 years old, meaning that the portrait was taken about 1941, a year or so after he began school. A reader tells us it was taken in 1940 when he entered the school at age 7.

We do not yet have many details on Prince Akihito's early education. We know that he actually attended schools rather being educated by tutors. This process began with his grandfather Emperor Yoshihito, in at least a pro-forma way. His father Emperor Hirohito did actually study, although apecial class was carefully prepared for him. Thus it was not a departure from tradition for Prince Akihito to attend a school--despite the public ideology of divinity at thec time. What we do not know if a special class was prepared for him as was the caseof his father. This must have been discussed in detail within the family and court officials. We are not sure about the details as to who was involved in these discussions and Emperor Hirohito's opinion on the matter. All we know at this time is the Prince Akihito attended regular schools. The school chosen for him was the same as the one attended by his grandfather and father--Gakushuin Primary School in Shinjuku Ward. Gakushuin was established for the imperial and noble families by the Emperor Komei in Kyoto (1847). It became known as the "Peers School". The school moved to Tokyo in the early years of the Meiji Restoration (1877). We believe that Prince Akihito entered the school at age 7 about 1940. He attended during World War II. We have photographs of the Prince his school uniforms about 1941 (figure 1). Gakushuin had a cadet-style uniform. We are not sure what the school did during the American bombing campaign which destroyed much of Tokyo. Emperor Hirohito refused to leave the Imperial Palace in Tokyo even after the air raids began. He stated that he desired to share the hardships of his subjects. The American bombers avoided the Imperial Palace, but must of the rest of Tokyo was destroyed in the bombing and resulting fires. We are not sure what happened to the school. As a teenager, Prince Akihito must have observed the huge change in Japanese society and nature of the monarchy as Japan surrendered and the American occupation commenced. I do not know if he has ever written about this period. After the War as part of the dempcritization of Japan, Gakushuin adopted a more open enrollment policy. Akihito graduated from Gakushuin Upper Secondary School in 1952. He studied at the Department of Politics in the Faculty of Politics and Economics of Gakushuin University until 1956. In addition, he received private lectures on a number of subjects by eminent professionals, including the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. In 1952 he was officially proclaimed heir to the throne.

Gakushuin School

We do not yet have many details on Prince Akihito's early education. We know that he actually attended schools rather being educated by tutors. This process began with his grandfather Emperor Yoshihito, in at least a pro-forma way. His father Emperor Hirohito did actually study, although apecial class was carefully prepared for him. Thus it was not a departure from tradition for Prince Akihito to attend a school--despite the public ideology of divinity at thec time. What we do not know if a special class was prepared for him as was the caseof his father. This must have been discussed in detail within the family and court officials. We are not sure about the details as to who was involved in these discussions and Emperor Hirohito's opinion on the matter. All we know at this time is the Prince Akihito attended regular schools. The school chosen for him was the same as the one attended by his grandfather and father--Gakushuin Primary School in Shinjuku Ward. Gakushuin was established for the imperial and noble families by the Emperor Komei in Kyoto (1847). It became known as the "Peers School". The school moved to Tokyo in the early years of the Meiji Restoration (1877). We believe that Prince Akihito entered the school at age 7 about 1940. He attended during World War II. We have photographs of the Prince his school uniforms about 1941 (figure 1). Gakushuin had acadet-style uniform. We are not sure what the school did during the American bombing campaign which destroyed much of Tokyo. Emperor Hirohito refused to leave the Imperial Palace in Tokyo even after the air raids began. He stated that he desired to share the hardships of his subjects. The American bombers avoided the Imperial Palace, but must of the rest of Tokyo was destroyed in the bombing and resulting fires. We are not sure what happened to the school. When the bombing began to become serious, both Prince Akihito and his his younger brother, Prince Yoshi (Prince Hitachi) were evacuated to Nikko for safty (late 1944). After Japan surrenderes and the American intentions became clear, Prince Akihito and his brother retuned to Tokyo and the Gakushuin School. He continued at the same school for his secondary studies. As a teenager, Prince Akihito must have observed the huge change in Japanese society and nature of the monarchy as Japan surrendered and the American occupation commenced. I do not know if he has ever written about this period. After the War as part of the dempcritization of Japan, Gakushuin adopted a more open enrollment policy. Akihito graduated from Gakushuin Upper Secondary School in 1952.

Private Tutoring

Mrs. Elizabeth Grey-Vining tutored Prince Tsugo, along with his brother, Prince Yoshi and his sisters, Princesses Taka and Suga (now Mrs. Ikeda Takamsa and Mrs. Shimazu Hisanaga), in English (1947-50). Mrs Grey-Vining was an American Quaker who provided insights into Western culture along with the English instruction. This provided the prince with a considerably broader education that the very traditional education he received at Gakushuin

Gakushuin University (1952-56)

Prince Akihito studied at the Department of Politics in the Faculty of Politics and Economics of Gakushuin University (April 1952). The university had the same cadet-style uniform. I do not know how common this was in Japan. I apparently was a continuation of pre-War rules. The Prince left the university before graduating (April 1954). We are not sure just why this was. He later attended the university as an auditor for a further 2 years (until 1956). While he began studying political science and economics, he eventully took up his father's interest in marine biology.

Private Lectures

In addition, he received private lectures on a number of subjects by eminent professionals, including the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. In 1952 he was officially proclaimed heir to the throne.

Created: 2:26 AM 10/15/2006
Last updated: 6:10 AM 5/25/2009