[Book Review] "Fukuzawa Yukichi: On Education—Independent but Not Isolated" (Edited by Keita Yamauchi and Shunsaku Nishikawa)

2024/06/25

Recently, I received a copy of "Fukuzawa Yukichi: On Education" (Keio University Press, 2024; hereinafter referred to as the "New Edition"), edited by Keita Yamauchi. I had heard for some time that a revised and expanded edition of "The Collected Works of Fukuzawa Yukichi, Volume 5" (Keio University Press, 2002; hereinafter referred to as the "Old Edition"), which was published with the late Professor Shunsaku Nishikawa as co-editor, would be released, and it has finally been published.

Comparing the contents of the old and new editions immediately, I found that several new documents have been added, and the commentary at the end of the book has been carefully revised to include references to these new materials. Furthermore, although it is a voluminous book of nearly 500 pages including the main text and commentary, it has been redesigned with a softcover, making it flexible and handy.

The many discourses of Fukuzawa contained in this book—including public speaking, editorials, letters, and memorial tributes to disciples—all have various contexts as their background. Since they are recorded in their original Meiji-era literary style rather than modern translations, at first glance, they retain the appearance of somewhat unapproachable "historical documents."

Based on this nature as a collection of historical materials, the Old Edition provided furigana for expressions that are somewhat difficult to understand or phrasings unique to Fukuzawa. Furthermore, short explanations of word meanings, proper nouns such as names appearing in the text, and historical facts were noted in the margins of each odd-numbered page. The New Edition continues this editorial policy, which envisions a wide range of readers beyond historical researchers.

Let us turn our perspective slightly toward the content of this book. In fact, there have been several collections of materials themed on Fukuzawa's educational theory, such as "Selected Works of Fukuzawa Yukichi, Volume 3" (Iwanami Shoten, 1980; edited by Masafumi Tomita, with selection and commentary by Masami Yamazumi) and "Fukuzawa Yukichi's Collected Essays on Education" (Iwanami Bunko, 1991; edited by Yamazumi). This is because there was no thinker in late 19th-century Japan who worked as passionately as Fukuzawa to create and realize a modern vision of humanity.

However, while Fukuzawa's educational theory certainly guided Japan's modernization, there were many areas where it ended in vain. Yamauchi also clearly states in the "Preface" (described later) of this book that "Fukuzawa's educational theory... was a minority view not only in the Meiji era but even in the Showa era until the end of the war, and it never became the dominant trend of the times."

So, what is the aim of the editor of this collection? It can be found in the fact that the compiled materials are arranged not merely as raw material to extract Fukuzawa's educational theory ideally and abstractly, but within an organic connection to the "place" of Keio University, where Fukuzawa himself practiced and attempted education.

Opening the table of contents, Part I is devoted to "Keio University" and Part II to "Learning and Education." Part I lists themes such as "The Naming of Keio University," "Reform and Maintenance of Keio University," "Establishment of the Integrated Education System," "The Beginning of Public Speaking," "Basic Policy of Education," "Appeals to the Keio Gijuku Shachu," "Admonitions to Keio students," and "Mourning the Early Death of Disciples." Part II continues with "Independence of Learning," "The Aspirations and Pride of Scholars," "Educational Theory," "Home Education," "Specialized Education," "Independence of School Education," and "Social Education." In both Parts I and II, several documents are classified under each theme. Famous essays in Fukuzawa's educational theory, such as "On the Reassurance of Scholars" (1876), "On Moral Training" (1882), "Independence of Learning" (1883), and "On Civilized Education" (1889), are all included in Part II.

On the other hand, Part I contains documents regarding reforms to the academic organization, including integrated education, and appeals to the Keio Gijuku Shachu and Keio students. These convey that Fukuzawa's discourse on education was issued while intersecting with the landscapes associated with Keio University. The structure of this book appeals to the reader that, in order to understand Fukuzawa's educational theory, one must not forget that his theories were forged through a constant back-and-forth with the place of their practice.

Beyond this, in the New Edition, Yamauchi contributes a preface titled "To Enjoy Reading This Book," which notably recommends newly that readers "read aloud as if you have become Fukuzawa Yukichi, without worrying about the detailed meanings." He explains that by tasting the rhythm of Fukuzawa's writing style through voice, it becomes "significantly easier to read."

Currently, Yamauchi holds the position of Vice-President in charge of the integrated schools within Keio. During ceremonies and commemorative lectures at various schools, he stands before the students alongside the President, encouraging them to form their identity as Keio students while tracing back the history of Fukuzawa and Keio University.

In this preface to the New Edition, written in a simple and polite tone, he proposes the recommendation of reading aloud as a way to directly "enjoy" and become familiar with Fukuzawa's original texts without the intervention of modern translations. Here, I feel Yamauchi's passionate expectation to invite young Keio students into the study of Fukuzawa and the history of Keio University in the future.

"Fukuzawa Yukichi: On Education—Independent but Not Isolated" (Edited by Keita Yamauchi and Shunsaku Nishikawa)

Keio University Press

524 pages, 2,530 yen (tax included)

*Affiliations and titles are those at the time of publication.