The Gakushūin (学習院), or Gakushuin School Corporation (学校法人学習院, Gakkō Hōjin Gakushūin), historically known as the Peers' School, is a Japanese educational institution in Tokyo, originally established as Gakushūjo (学習所) to educate the children of Japan's nobility. The original school expanded from its original mandate of educating the social elite and has since become a network of institutions which encompasses preschool through tertiary-level education.
Contents
History
The Peers' School was founded in 1847 by Emperor Ninkō in Kyoto and placed under the administration of the Imperial Household Agency. Its purpose was to educate the children of the Imperial aristocracy (kazoku). Prior to the disestablishment of the Peerage in 1947, commoners had restricted access to Gakushuin, with limited slots only to the Elementary School and Middle School.
In 1947, with the American-mandated disestablishment of the peerage system, enrollment in Gakushuin was fully opened to the general public. At the same time, administration of the school was transferred to the Ministry of Education.
Precepts
Emperor Ninko had four maxims inscribed on the walls of the Gakushūin building, including
Walk in the paths trodden by the feet of the great sages.
Revere the righteous canons of the empire.
He that has not learned the sacred doctrines, how can he govern himself?
He that is ignorant of the classics, how can he regulate his own conduct?
The school was moved to Tokyo in 1877. Its new purpose was to educate the children of the modern aristocracy. Members of the Imperial Family continue to study at Gakushūin.
Timeline
1847: founded as Peers' School.
1877: the school was established in Tokyo.
1884: Gakushūin became an Imperial institution.
1885: Peeresses' School was created.
1947: Gakushūin became a private institution.
Gakushuin Corporation
The present-day Gakushuin School Corporation comprises the following institutions:
Gakushuin University
Gakushuin Women's College
Gakushuin Boys' Junior and Senior High School
Gakushuin Girls' Junior and Senior High School
Gakushuin Primary School
Gakushuin Kindergarten
Notable alumni and faculty members
Teachers
R. H. Blyth—taught at Gakushūin
Kanō Jigorō—taught at Gakushūin
Inagaki Manjirō—taught briefly at Gakushūin
Alumni
For alumni of Gakushuin University, see: Gakushūin University#Notable alumni
Imperial House of Japan
Yoshihito, Emperor Taishō - late 123rd Emperor of Japan
Hirohito, Emperor Shōwa - late 124th Emperor of Japan
Nagako, Empress Kōjun, late Empress Dowager of Japan
Emperor Akihito - Former 125th Emperor of Japan
Emperor Naruhito - Current 126th Emperor of Japan
Masahito, Prince Hitachi - brother of Emperor Akihito
Hanako, Princess Hitachi - wife of the Prince Hitachi
Fumihito, Prince Akishino - son of Emperor Akihito
Kiko, Princess Akishino - wife of the Prince Akishino
Kazuko, Princess Taka - sister of Emperor Akihito
Shigeko, Princess Teru - sister of Emperor Akihito
Atsuko, Princess Yori - sister of Emperor Akihito
Takako, Princess Suga - sister of Emperor Akihito
Sayako, Princess Nori - daughter of Emperor Akihito
Nobuhito, Prince Takamatsu - brother of Emperor Shōwa
Kikuko, Princess Takamatsu - wife of the Prince Takamatsu
In fiction
In the novel Spring Snow by Yukio Mishima, set in the early 1910s, the characters Kiyoaki Matsugae and Shigekuni Honda attend the school.