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Many Japanese universities created K-12 schools as part of the university complex. We are not sure why this was, but it was very common. One of these universities was the Showa Women's university. The University was just for women, but the associated elementary (primary) school was coed. Advanced education was primarily for men and boys. And it was mostly boys that advancecd beyond primary school. But Japan was building of only two public education system in Asia. And although not up to the dimensions of the male effort, Japan in a departure to its culture and that of education of women in general began educating women. This all began with the Meiji Restoration (1870s). In the turbulant aftermath of World War I, Enkichi Hitomi, a poet and educator, and his wife, Midori, founded Japan Women’s Institute in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo (1920). It would lead to Showa Women's University (1920). Their educational ideals were 'love, compassion, and harmony in the teachings of Leo Tolstoy. The university’s motto 'Be a light to the world' reflected the University's commitment to educating women who can initiate meaningful changes in society. Of course in Japan's fircely male dominared society, they had their work cut out for them. Shortly after they opened Showa Senior High School to ensure the women entering the Insitute were prepared for university-level studies (1922). All of the Institute's buildings were destroyed in a bombing raid on Tokyo during the Pacific War (1945). The Institute was moved to Setagaya Ward. Showa Junior High School was opened (1947). The Japan Women's Institute becomes Showa Women's University (1949). The University was bolstered by the American occupation which promoted education for women. Showa Kindergarten is opened (1951). Showa Elementary School is opened which like the Kindergarten is coeducational. Major expansion of the University program began (1970s). The British School in Tokyo opens on the Setagaya campus (2006). The University adopted traditional uniforms for their elenemtary school. They did not adopt the standard sailor outfit for the girls, but rather English school styles. For the boy's, however, they adopted the Prussian cadet style widely woirn in Japanese secondary schools. The cap is distinctive.
Advanced education was primarily for men and boys. And it was mostly boys that advanced beyond primary school. But Japanese was building of only two public education system in Asia. And although not up to the dimensions of the makle effort, Japan in a departure to its culture and that of education of women in general brgan educating women. This all began with the Meiji Restoration (1870s). In the turbulant aftermath of World War I, Enkichi Hitomi, a poet and educator, and his wife, Midori, founded Japan Women’s Institute in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo (1920). It would lead to Showa Women's University (1920).
Their educational ideals were 'love, compassion, and harmony' in the teachings of Leo Tolstoy. The university’s motto 'Be a light to the world' reflected the University's commitment to educating women who can initiate meaningful changes in society. Of course in Japan's fircely male dominared society, they had their work cut out for them.
Many Japanese universities created K-12 schools as part of the university complex. We are not sure why this was, but it was very common. One of these universuries was the Showa Women's university. The University was just for women, but the associated elementary (primary) school was coed. Shortly after they opened Showa Senior High School to ensure the women entering the Insitute were prepared for university-level studies (1922). All of the Institute's buildings were destroyed in a bombing raid on Tokyo during the Pacific War (1945). The Institute was moved to Setagaya Ward. Showa Junior High School was opened (1947). The Japan Women's Institute becomes Showa Women's University (1949). The University was bolstered by the American occupation which promoted education for women. Showa Kindergarten is opened (1951). Showa Elementary School is opened which like the Kindergsarten is coeducational. Major expansions of the University program begin (1970s). The British School in Tokyo opens on the Setagaya campus (2006).
The Elementary School says that its program is for those who become 'the light of the world' through education that values autonomy Theprincipal explains, "Under the spirit of our founding, 'Becoming the Light of the World' -- 'People who look to their eyes', 'People who do their best' and 'People who make their bodies strong". He reports, "We have three goals and are nurturing the mind and body in good health. In particular, English education with an emphasis on "listening ability" was highly evaluated and became a model for the NHK E-Tele English programs. In addition, an after school will be opened in April 2015. We provide an environment in which children can spend their time after school."
The University adopted traditional uniforms for their elenemtary school. There is both a winter and summer uniform. The winter unifirm is done in navy blue (figure 1). They did not adopt the standard sailor outfit for the girls, but rather English school styles. Ther girls wear a cut-away navy blue jacket asnd pleated dress with a PeterPan rounded collar blouse. The outfit is completed with navy blur tights and black leather shoes.For the boy's, however, they adopted the Prussian cadet style widely worn in Japanese secondary schools. The bous wear a destinctive pointed Japanese mikitary cap with tassel. The unifotm isa Prussian vadet jacket with brass buttons and short pants. They also hsve navy blue knee socks and and black leather shoes. The casual summer uniform is done in grey. Here the boys anf girls wear the same white school hat. It looks different in the school photograph, but only becaise rhe chikdren have dome thr btim differently, The boy wears a short-sdleve polo shirt with sgrey short pants. The girl wears a short sleve white blousde with more of a pointed collar than the winter blouse. Her dress is a gym slip, often called ajumper in America. It id a a popular English school uniform style. Both children wear white able socks and blacl mkeather shoes. Japanese sdchools can be very strick about wearing the uniform, but are often more flexible when it comes yto hosiety and footwar as long as the color requirement is followed.lax when it comes
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