“Established April 1, 1979” reads the cornerstone. This marks the founding of Adachi Ward Yanaka Junior High School. It is a public junior high school in Tokyo’s Adachi district. Now I will tell you about education in Japan. Education here has a rich history.
In earlier times education occurred in Buddhist temples. This was after the introduction of Chinese writing in the 6th century. The Taiho Code in 701 established schools for nobility children. These schools were in the capital and provinces.
During feudal Japan lords created samurai schools. Rural communities also had schools. These were for wealthier farmers and merchants. Formal education grew among samurai children from 1185 to 1333. Education became widespread during the peaceful Edo period from 1603 to 1868.
Children aged 7 to 15 went to temple schools. These schools were run by Buddhist groups. They learned to read, write, and use an abacus. Priests, monks, samurai and doctors taught them. Students paid what they could afford. Tokyo’s literacy rate reached about 80 percent. Rural schools were fewer. People learned to avoid tax collector cheating.
Edo period education emphasized Confucian ideas. It focused on rote learning and Chinese classics. Domainal schools taught samurai children. Terakoya schools enrolled commoners and samurai. They focused on moral training and basic skills. A single teacher or couple usually ran terakoya schools. Thousands existed by the Edo period’s end. Japan’s literacy in 1868 was higher than many Western nations.
Education changed in the Meiji period from 1868 to 1912. It adopted European school systems. By 1886 school attendance became compulsory for all children. Compulsory education was free by 1900. It expanded to six years by 1908. Textbooks became standardized. This built a foundation for modernization. Meiji leaders created a three-tier system. It included primary school, middle school, and university. Primary school was compulsory for all.
Pre-World War II education had hypernationalism. Students were taught nationalist ideas. They learned other races were inferior. The Emperor was considered a god. After the war schools resembled American schools. The Education Ministry gained control. The 6-3-3-4 system was enacted in 1947. It defined elementary, junior high, high school and university years.
Japan continued to prioritize education. The militarism grew stronger during World War II. After 1945, Japanese education changed completely. The 6-3-3-4 year sequence was adopted. This made the first nine years mandatory. This system ensured equal education for boys and girls of all classes.
In 1979, Adachi Ward Yanaka Junior High School opened its doors. It continues a long tradition of education. It evolved from temple schools to modern junior high. The school helps shape the future of Tokyo’s youth.