The word 'gakuin' (学院), also spelled gakuen, means literally 'study organ' (institution). Historically, a 'gakuin' was a school established by Westernern Christian missionaries. It has come to mean more generally a private schools. It is often translated as 'accademy'. Today gakuin is used to mean an educational institution run by someone other than the government. Tey incluse kindergartens, elementary (primary), and secondary schools. Many combine all three in K-12 facilitirs. Private primary schools, virtually all of which we believe are located in cities and operate as day schools, have adopted a wide variety of uniforms -- indeed, Japanese private primary schools serve almost as a living encylclopedia of boys' fashions over the past century. There are a mix of English, Prussian, and Japanese styles. And theu tend to enforce the uniform operations strictly. Once a school settles on a uniform, it seems to stick with it forever. I have heard of one private school that permits (uniform) long pants in the winter, but virtually all the others require short pants year round. Most of them require some sort of jacket from October 1 through May 31, and permit shirt sleeves in the summer. Most state prinary schools do not require a uniform, but quite a number do -- at least some basic form of uniform. Almost all private schools do require a uniform and tend to enforce it strictky. Thus we see boys wearing short pants suits and Prussian cadet uniforms. The girls commonly wear uniforms like the boys with skirts rather than short pants or sailor outfits. Here is some information about a number of private primary (elementary) schools in various cities around Japan.
This Tokyo Kkindgarten seeks to develop tough kindergartners and flys in the face of the modern approach to molly coddel and evertone's a winner approach of modern child raising. Buddy Sports Kindergarten in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo takes the exact opposite approach. School begins with a morning run, with the children usually jogging about 3 km before the school day actually begins at 10:00 in the morning. It is a real challenge for younger children just beginning at the demanding Buddy Sports regime. The children, mostly bots, who fall behind are told to pick up the pace. If burst into tears, the teachers just tell them to stop. This is the demanding ritual beginning the day at this physical education-oriented kindergarten. Some have criticized the school, calling it the 'new spartan'.
The mantra of the new school is 'try your best'. The children aged 3 to 6 years are taught to push themselves, be independent and overcome pressure. The beginning 3-yerars old, to quit whenb they cry their eyes out. The teachers have been sacused of child abuse. The school was founded by Principal Takeshi Suzuki who explains thsat after the initisl adustment, the children at his scjool are vety happt and leave with an extrodinsry level of self confidence. After the nprning run which aims at muscle development, the kindergarten learn some 10 different sports, including gymnastics, basketball and tennis. The older children at the kindergarten climat their training with a climb to the seventh station of Mount Fuji, a 5 hour trek. "I want them to experience success, to be able to believe that they can do it if they try. That will give them the strength to overcome the difficulties they will face later in life." [Aoki]
Known in English as Peers' School and the school to which the Imperial Family and the descendants of the pre-war nobility typically send their sons (the Emperor, the Crown Prince, and the late Emperor Showa
are all graduates), this boys school requires military-type hats of the type once worn by naval officers, navy blue high-collared tunics, knee-length shorts (unusual among primary schools), dark ankle socks, and
black shoes. Tunics not required in the summertime. Gakushuin has a uniform with the longer-style knee-length short pants popular during the 1ate 1990s,
but that's because their uniform is unchanged from the early years of 20th
century.
This prestigious, expensive Catholic boys school founded by French missionaries in the 19th century, requires in winter time the Prussian cadet tunic and hat typical of secondary schoolboy uniforms but
with a gold band around the hat and short serge black short pants instead of longs, black mid-calf socks, and boot-like black shoes. The school is unusual in requiring a distinctive summer unform, not just the
white-shirt-and-shorts of most schools: olive green short sleeved shirt, very short olive green short pants, black shoes and black mid-calf socks, white military-type hat. This school supports a
boys choir.
The schoo reports that there traditional uniform is very popular. "When you ask the children. They answer, 'The place where the uniform is cute' is always answered. The design of the uniform has not changed since it was founded 61 years ago, but it is very popular among children today. Elegantly, boys are in dark blue suits with white collars, and girls are in red sailor suits. Summer is gray for boys and light blue for girls. In winter, there is a muffler, a double coat made of new material with a button with the school name as an accent."
Jiyu gakuen junior high school was a well known private school in Tokyo. The Jiyu Gakuen Junior High School was not just a junior high school. The junior high school was a division part of a larger school.
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Kanto Gaukin Eementary School is one of several private schools associated with a university. There is a comprehensive system from kindergarten to university. Universities began to be founded as Japan after the Meji Restoration began to build a modern education. Many schools including universities in Asian were founded by Chrustian groups. Kanto University was based on the Yokohama Baptist Theological Seminary founded near Yamate near Yokohama (1884). The Seminary was the work of the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society which evolved into the Graduate (Theological) School of Tokyo Baptist Academy. The Baptists began founding schools as part of their missionary work. This would eventually laed to a major inobersity as well as secondar, primary, and kindergarten/murseru=y schools. The School describes its aims to 'Share joy" based on the Christian spirit. Whether learning or living, you will grow and walk while sharing joy." The School offers Christian based human education to develop character with Christian teaching and serve for others in the spirit of Christ's love. The school explains that it provides education to develop such human resources. You will acquire the ability to properly express your thoughts while developing your thinking, imagination and language sense. While listening to the remarks and works of friends, listening to each other and reading from each other, we place importance on acknowledging each other's strengths and improving their communication. In addition, we value basic learning of reading aloud, kanji, and diaries, and practice repetitive practice in home study to make it a habit. The Elemenary school adopted a English style Uniform.
Keio Gijuku (Keio Private School System)is a well known private school in Tokyo. It was not specifically a junior high school, but rather a comprehensive educational intutution offering primary to university education. Keio University is one of the most prestigious private schools in Japan. Keio Junior High was thus only part of the overall program. Keio like most private schools required a uniform. The school had quite different summer and winter uniforms. The summer uniform was rather informal while the winter uniform rather formal. Keio in 1990 even founded the Keio Academy in New York primarily to meet the needs of Japanese living overseas.
This is the most famous private primary school in Japan (although not the most academically rigorous). It is affiliated with Keio University, meaning that like other elementary schools affiliated
with universities, pupils who graduate are guaranteed admission to the University-affiliated middle and high schools and then to the University itself. Thus, children who succeed in getting in to Keio Yochisha and other comparable schools avoid the "examination hell" that blights the childhoods of so many other Japanese. Keio Yochisha's student body consists largely of children of an elite class of celebrities and wealthy executives. Having a child there is highly presitigious, and the result
is intense competition for places. The elite private schools in Japan are highly influential. Other schools emulate Keio Yochisha in many respects, including the uniform. The school is quite strict about the uniform. The winter uniform consists of a distinctive round felt hat, navy blue suit, and broad white, eton-type collar. The tunic is belted in back with a broad, single pleat. Girls
wear pleated skirts, boys wear short pants cut quite short. Curiously for a school which is quite strict about its uniform, uniform red-striped navy ankle socks and black shoes are optional. Most boys wear sneakers instead and variousdly white or dark knee or ankle socks. This lack of uniformity is quite rare at a Japanese school with a strict uniform requirement. Most boys do not wear coats over their uniforms on the way to and from school even on cold days. A few boys wear overcoats, but it is not common. Sweaters are often worn under the tunics on cold days. The summer uniform consists of a light gray suit (jacket optional). The shorts are even shorter than those on the winter uniform, and worn with a red-striped belt. The boys all have the tradition black school book bag that was origiginally styled like the knapsack worn by Japanese soldiers in the late-19th century.
We know nothing about the Matsuyama School at this time except that a HBC reader tells us that it is a private school. We do know where the school is located. Matsuyama is Shikoku's largest city and capital of Ehime Prefecture. The city is noted for Matsuyamajo, a beautiful, historical castle and the Dogo Hot Springs. Shikoku is on of the Japanese home islands. It is Japan's fourth largest island, southwest of Japan's main island Honshu. Shikoku is divided into four prefectures. Hopefully our Japanese readers will be able to tell us more.
Ochanomizu University has an affiliated elementary school. The University is one one of Japan's top women's colleges--many of the graduates go on to be teachers and the elementary school is essentially a "training school" The boys' uniform is the classic Prussian-sdtyle military school uniform. The pre-World War II Japanese uniforms were very similar to this one, except that tights wearing was common before the war and almost completely disappeared afterwards except among the very young.
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Affiliated with Rikkyo University, an Anglican institution, this
all boys school is also known by its English name, St. Paul's. The
uniform suggests British origins. Boys wear navy blue beanies, gray suits
with long-sleeved white shirts, red ties, very short short pants
(extending just below the hem of the jacket), navy blue knee socks, and
black shoes. Jackets and ties are not required in the summer. A
standard, knee-length navy coat may be worn to and from school on cold
days.
Many Japanese universities sponsor schools at various levels. We are not entirely sure what the purpose of these schools are. They may be in part schools for the children of the staff. Or perhaps as in this case provide learning experiences for the students studying to be teachers. This may be especially important for a woman's collerge. Sagami Women's University is located in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture near Yokohama and Kawasaki. It has history of more than a century. It was originally founded as Japan Women’s School in 1900. The university’s motto is “Learn to Look. Learn to Discover,” and its educational mission is to foster women who are capable to contribute to the society and local communities through feminine perspectives, sophisticated sensibilities and flexible thinking. Sagami Women’s University Elementary School has a history of 70 years. Its venue is about 173,000㎡. The campus encompasses kindergarten, elementary, junior-senior high school, university and graduate school. The school has a abundance of nature on the campus fpr the children to enjoy and utilize in class studies. The goal expressed by the school is, "We educate 'Individuals who can act on their own.' The explain, "Through all activities, they develop their skills. All school subjects and activities are integrated for the best outcome.
We have a reputation for providing students with valuable opportunities to develop their character and skills through participation in a wide range of activities. From the academic year 2020, we added research learning."
The Catholic Portuguese were the first Westerners to reach Japan (16th century). The Protestants soon followed, but the Shogun's repression extinguished Christianity. The several modern private Christian schools, date from the Meiji Restoration and Japan creatiion of a modern educatiion system (1870s). We have been unable to find much information on Saint Dominico Gakuen Elementary School. It is a Catholic school. The School did provide some informatiomn for an interet listing of Yokahama private schools focusing mainly on its educational goals. The School headlines in post with, 'Six years of learning the basics of living power and discovering one's own value.' The School provides 'integrated' education from kindergarten to high school based on the Christian worldview. We are not sure waht they , probably because the School includes both parimaty and secondary units. The School tells us that the educational program focuses on 'dialogue' that firmly conveys one's own thoughts, learning to understand the truth correctly, and compassion to find joy in acting for others. They seek to develop activities and aim for the formation of rich human beings. The Elementary School uniform is a traditional uniform that has continued since its establishment. It includes a beret showing a French influence.
Saint Goseph Catholic College (セント・ジョセフ・カレッジ) was a Catholic international school, located on the 'Bluff' in Naka-ku, Yokohama. The school was founded as a division of Gyosei Gakuen (1888). It waslater established as an independent private school by the Marianists (1901). It served kindergarten, elementary education and secondary education, primarily to the expatriate community in Yokohama. The School or Church sponsored the first Scout troop in Jpan (1911). St. Joseph College closed with the graduating class of June 2000. Here we are a little confused because there seems to be a St. Joseph's Gaugkin/Accademy operating in Yokahama during the late-2010s. We do not know if there was a conection with St. Joseph's College that closed in 2000 or just when the Accadrmy was operated. Ww suspect that the connection is St. Joseph's Church. We note tgat Saint Joseph Gakuen Elementary Academy was certified as the "International Baccalaureate PYP School" for the first time as a Japanese elementary school (January 9, 2018). The decision to introduce the International Baccalaureate Primary Education Program was made because the school's basic spirit and educational policy are in line with the International Baccalaureate (IB) mission statement. With the background of Christian values, the IB program has developed into a world-wide education program for nurturing international people and has spread to the world. Father Iwao Katsuno, the first principal of the Acadeny explains the school's educational policy, "We aim to develop an education that nurtures the people who create true peace and happiness of people by proactively taking the various problems of this world as other issues and not taking them as other issues. The IB mission statement is, "to foster young, inquisitive, knowledgeable and caring people who will contribute to building a better and more peaceful world through a spirit of understanding and respect for diverse cultures."
Seika Elementary School is another Yoyahama private school. It is part of a wider comprehensive complex. The Japanese tend to use the American term 'elementary' to describe a primary school.
The School describes its programs as "Being able to do people's worries so that they do not become people's things". We are not entirely sure what that means. Another post reports that the school promotes "Leadership and kindness acquired in a warm school atmosphere. There are about 80 students per grade, whivh must be divided in different classes. Another post reporys that, "The school has a warm atmosphere. When he was in kindergarten, my son was so mature that he presented his opinion in front of everyone." Like most private vschools the school offers information sessions and tours for prpspective students. The school sponsors a cultural festival in October. The school has a playground and a pool open during the summer term. There is a six year (grade) program. There is an entrance exam, standard for private schools. The school even published a book about their exams--the Seika Elementary School Ebtrance Exam Braindumps. We do not know much about the book. It may be to help parents prepare their children to take the exam. It is probably useful for parents preparing their children for other school as well. Or it may be some kind of activity book. The book appears to be part of a series. The school has a traditional uniform which they proudly point out has not changed since it was first introduced. There is both a summer and winter uniform.
Many Japanese universities created K-12 schools as part of the universityb complex. We are not sure why this was, but it was very common Omne of these schools was the Showa Womeb;s university. The University was just for women, but the associated elementary (primsary) school was coed. Advanced education was primarily for men and boys. And it was mostly boys that advancecd beyond primary school. But Japane was building of only two public education system in Asia. And although not up to the domrnsions of the makle effort, Japan in a departure to its culture and that og educastion of women in general brgan educating women. This all begfan weith the Meiji Restoration (1870s). In the turbulant asfyermsath 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 mhowa 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 inJapan's fircely male dominared society, they had their work cut out for them. Shortkly after they opened Showa Senior High School to ensure the women enbtering the UInsitutte 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 Universirty is bolstered by the American occupation wgich promoted education for womenm. Showa Kindergarten is opened (1951). Showa Elementary School is opened which like the Kindergsarten is coeducaytional. Major expansions of the Unibersity program begin (1970s). The British School in Tokyo opens on the Setagaya campus (2006).
Tamagawa University Gakuen (Academy) is a little different than many of the universities that gradually added private grade school programs. Tamagawa was a private grade school that added a universdity program. The School was founded in 1929 as an elementary school. Subsequently a secondary division was added. After World War II with the American promoted educatiinal reforms, Tamagawa University received approval to open an 'old system' (pre-war) university (1947). As an academy (gakuen) which encompasses all school grades, the school currently provide education from kindergarten through graduate school on a single campus. Tamagawa founder Kuniyoshi Obara believed that a person has a unique individuality from birth, and also a commonality with everyone in the world. The mission adopted by Tamagawa is to realize this principle. The School says, "Our mission is to produce outstanding individuals who can contribute to not only Japanese society but to the world. To achieve these goals, students need to improve their knowledge and skills, cultivate healthy mind and body, and lift their spirits." The School promotes 12 precepts of education. At the top of the list is Zenjin Education. Shoten Zenjin is a borrowed Chinese word expressing the protective forces of nature. In Nichiren Buddhism, the term Shoten Zenjin is included as part of the silent prayers while doing gongyo, which is chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo (Daimoku) and then the Lotus Sutra is chanted in between. The idea here is to incorporate the values of human culture harmoniously into personality. The Tamagawa Academy and University pursues education designed to create the six values, namely truth, goodness, beauty, holiness, soundness, and wealth. The school has a uniform for the younger children.
Tamagawa Gakuen is one of Tokyo's most respected private schools. The Junior High School is referred to as the Lower Secondary School.
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Teikyo University in Tokyo was founded with just two faculties (1966). It has since developed into a majoor university. The University has grown and expanded considerably and now has a broad range of faculties and departments spread over five campuses at Itabashi, Hachioji, Utsunomiya, Fukuoka and Kasumigaseki. Teikyo is another university with associated primary and secondary schools. The Elementary School is especially notable for its architecture and innovative use of building materials. Japanese architect Kengo Kuma conceived this school in northwest Tokyo as the modern equivalent of a traditional Japanese schoolhouse with timber-clad walls. Like many of Kuma's buildings, the three-storey school is clad with cedar on every elevation. "We used cedar for the material of the exterior, as an attempt to recover a wooden schoolhouse in the midst of the big city." One observer writes, "Kuma has intentionally foregone the trendy use of intense colors that is so common now in modern schools, and yet the final result looks quite lively. The Elementary School has a traditional uniform for the boys and girls.
Toin Gakuen is a Japanese school corporation, meaning a private school. It offers parents a comprehensive coed school ebiroinmentfor their children. This included kindergarten through to university graduate school. The campus is located in Tetsumachi, Aoba-ku, Yokohama. The school is afiliated with Yokohama General Hospital as an affiliated company. In 1964, the slogan was 'private education that public education cannot do'. At this time a high school opened. Classes are organized according to ability (proficiency level) from the beginning, and classes are provided according to ability. In 1965, a technical college (boys' school) was opened (closed in 1991), a junior high school in 1966, an elementary school in 1967 the following year, and a kindergarten in 1969 (two-year childcare). In 1981, the girls' club was established, and in 1987, the recruitment of technical colleges was suspended and Toin University of Yokohama was established. Opened the German Toin Academy in 1992 (closed in 2012). In 1988, the Memorial Hall (now: Toin Symphony Hall) was completed to provide students more experiences wiyh the arts.
Not sure of the name, but this school is affiliated with Tsukuba
University, this co-ed school has a distinctive peaked dark cap with a
white cotton ball, highcollared navy tunic, very short short pants,
regulation white mid-calf socks and black loafer-type shoes. Probably
one of the smartest uniforms in Japan). The girls uniforms differ substantially
from the boys. The girls skirts are longish and worn with kneesocks. The boys' shorts are very short and with the mid-calf socks. Much like some of the British co-ed prep schools during the 1980s. I'm not sure why there is such a difference.
There are several Catholic schools in Japan. They were operating as Japan was just beginning to develop a modern education system. Despite their mostly European connections, the Japnese government alloweed them to cotinue operating during World War II. Thery continue to be an important part of Japan's private school system. Here we find a coeducatuional primary school. There may also be a secondary and kindergarten conncted. We see a priest returing from a trip to Italy, being welcomed back by the children, we think in the 1950s. The children wear sailor uniforms with a prominent cross. We do not yet know the name of the school. The sailor jackets do bt hve the trditonal stripe detailong tht was common at other Japanese schools.
Among other mostlty English style uniform styles we have seen include mostly blue or grey blazers, school tie, gray various length short pants, colored and whuite knee socks, black shoes, various headwear, navy blue cadet jackets, tie, gray plaid short pants, no specific shoe or sock requirement, no shoe requirement except color. What we do not see very commonly is sweaters which are very important in England.
Aoki, Mizuho, "Tough kindergartens finding favor with Japanese parents, "The Japan Times (June 20, 2017).
Related Links: Careful this will exit you from the Boys' Historical Clothing web site, but these sites are highly recommended
Boys' Preparatory Schools: Lovely photographic book on British Preparatory Schools during the 1980s with over 200 color and black and white images.
New Zealand E-book: New digital book on New Zealand schools available
New Zealand E-book: New digital book on British prep schools available
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