Fukuzawa Yukichi
Born	January 10, 1835 Osaka, Japan
Died	February 3, 1901 Japan

Fukuzawa Yukichi (福澤 諭吉 Yukichi Fukuzawa, January 10, 1835 - February 3, 1901) was a Japanese author, writer, teacher, entrepreneur and political theorist and founder of the Keio University whose ideas about government and social institutions made a lasting impression on a rapidly changing Japan during the period known as the Meiji Era. Fukuzawa Yukichi. ... Osaka )   is the capital of Osaka Prefecture and the third-largest city in Japan, with a population of 2. ... January 10 is the 10th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... | Come and take it, slogan of the Texas Revolution 1835 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... February 3 is the 34th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1901 (MCMI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Niccolò Machiavelli, ca 1500, became the key figure in realistic political theory, crucial to political science Political Science is the systematic study of the allocation and transfer of power in decision making. ... Keio University (library, Mita campus) Keio University as seen from Tokyo Tower Keio University (慶應義塾大学 Keiō Gijuku Daigaku) is the top private university in Japan, which has a proud history as Japans very first private institution of higher learning, which dates back to the formation of a school for Dutch... History of Japan Paleolithic Jomon Yayoi Yamato period ---Kofun period ---Asuka period Nara period Heian period Kamakura period Muromachi period Azuchi-Momoyama period ---Nanban period Edo period Meiji period Taisho period Showa period ---Japanese expansionism ---Occupied Japan ---Post-Occupation Japan Heisei The Meiji period (Japanese: Meiji Jidai 明治&#26178...

Early Life

Fukuzawa was born into an impovershed low-ranking samurai family of the Nakatsu clan in Osaka in 1835. His family was poor following the early death of his father. At the age of 14, Fukuzawa entered a school of Dutch studies (Rangaku). In 1853, shortly after Commodore Matthew C. Perry's arrival in Japan, Fukuzawa's brother (the family patriarch) asked Fukuzawa to travel to Nagasaki, where the Dutch colony at Dejima was located. Fukuzawa was instructed to learn the Dutch language in order to study European cannon designs and gunnery techniques. Japanese samurai in armour, 1860s. ... Nakatsu (中津市; -shi) is a city located in Oita, Japan. ... Osaka )   is the capital of Osaka Prefecture and the third-largest city in Japan, with a population of 2. ... Rangaku (蘭学) or Dutch Learning was the method by which Japan kept abreast of Western technology and medicine in the period when the country was closed to foreigners, 1641-1853, because of the Tokugawa shogunates policy of national isolation (sakoku). ... 1853 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Matthew Calbraith Perry (April 10, 1794 - March 4, 1858) was the Commodore of the U.S. Navy who forced the opening of Japan to the West with the Convention of Kanagawa in 1854, under the threat of military force. ... Nagasaki (Japanese: 長崎市, Nagasaki-shi  , long peninsula) is the capital and the largest city of Nagasaki Prefecture in Japan. ... Dejima, also Deshima (出島, literally protruding island) in modern Japanese, Desjima in Dutch, often latinised as Decima, was a fan-shaped artificial island in the bay of Nagasaki that was a Dutch trading post during Japans self-imposed isolation (sakoku) of the Edo period, from 1641 until 1853. ... Dutch ( ) is a West Germanic language spoken by around 22 million people, mainly in the Netherlands and Belgium. ...

Although Fukuzawa did travel to Nagasaki, his stay was brief as he quickly discovered that the Dutch scholars there were dealing with outdated information. He planned to travel to Edo and continue his studies there, but upon his return to Osaka, his brother persuaded him to stay and enroll at the Tekijuku school run by physician and rangaku scholar Ogata Koan. Fukuzawa studied at Tekijuku for three years, and became fully proficient in the Dutch language. In 1858, he was appointed official Dutch teacher of his family's domain, Nakatsu, and was sent to Edo to teach the family's vassals there. Edo (Japanese: 江戸, literally: bay-door, estuary, pronounced //), once also spelled Yedo or Yeddo, is the former name of the Japanese capital Tokyo. ... Image:Teki juku. ... Statue of Koan Ogata at his birthlace in Okayama Koan Ogata (緒方洪庵; August 13, 1810 - July 25, 1863) was a Japanese physician who lived in the Edo period. ... Nakatsu (中津市; -shi) is a city located in Oita, Japan. ...

The following year, Japan opened up three of its ports to American and European ships, and Fukuzawa, intrigued with Western civilization, traveled to Kanagawa to see them. When he arrived, he discovered that virtually all of the European merchants there were speaking English rather than Dutch. He then began to study English, but at that time, English-Japanese interpreters were rare and dictionaries nonexistent, so his studies were slow. For alternative meanings for The West in the United States, see the U.S. West and American West. ... Kanagawa Prefecture (神奈川県; Kanagawa-ken) is a geographic and political area located in the Kanto region on Honshu island, Japan. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ...

Fukuzawa Yukichi was a member of the first ever Japanese delegation to the United States, in 1860 (Washington shipyard).

The Tokugawa bakufu decided to send envoys of the Shogun to the United States, and Fukuzawa volunteered his services to Admiral Kimura Yoshitake. Kimura's ship, the Kanrin Maru, which arrived in San Francisco, California in 1860. The delegation stayed in the city for a month, during which time Fukuzawa had himself photographed with an American girl (one of the most famous photographs in Japanese history), and also found a Webster's Dictionary, from which he began to seriously study the English language. The First embassy of Japan to the United States. ... The First embassy of Japan to the United States. ... The Tokugawa shogunate or Tokugawa bakufu (徳川幕府) (also known as the Edo bakufu) was a feudal military dictatorship of Japan established in 1603 by Tokugawa Ieyasu and ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family until 1868. ... Minamoto no Yoritomo, the first shogun of the Kamakura shogunate For other uses, see Shogun (disambiguation). ... Kanrin Maru (Japanese: 咸臨丸) was Japans first sail and screw-driven steam warship. ... Nickname: The City by the Bay; Fog City Location of the City and County of San Francisco, California Coordinates: Country United States of America State California City-County San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom Area    - City 122 km²  (47 sq mi)  - Land 121. ... 1888 advertisement for Websters Dictionary Websters Dictionary is the common title given to English language dictionaries in the United States, derived from American lexicographer Noah Webster. ...

Fukuzawa became an official translator for the bakufu upon his return in 1860. Shortly thereafter he brought out his first publication, an English-Japanese dictionary which he called "Kaei Tsūgo" (translated from a Chinese-English dictionary) which was a beginning for his series of later books. In 1862, he visited Europe, as one of the two English translators in the 40 man embassy sent by the Tokugawa bakufu. Negotiations were made in France, England, Holland, Prussia, & finally Russia. They were almost gone an entire year. In 1867, he returned to America, this time visiting Washington, D.C. and New York City as part of a team of negotiators. A dictionary is a list of words with their definitions, a list of characters with their glyphs, or a list of words with corresponding words in other languages. ... World map showing Europe A satellite composite image of Europe Europe is one of the seven traditional continents of the Earth. ... Negotiation is the process where interested parties resolve disputes, agree upon courses of action, bargain for individual or collective advantage, and/or attempt to craft outcomes which serve their mutual interests. ... Motto: (French for God and my right) Anthem: God Save the King/Queen Capital London Largest city London Official language(s) English (de facto) Unification    - by Athelstan AD 927  Area    - Total 130,395 km² (1st in UK)   50,346 sq mi  Population    - 2005 est. ... Holland is a region in the central-western part of the Netherlands. ... Coat of Arms of the Kingdom of Prussia, 1701-1918 Prussia (German: ; Latin: Borussia, Prutenia; Lithuanian: ; Polish: ; Old Prussian: PrÅ«sa) was, most recently, a historic state originating in East Prussia, an area which for centuries had substantial influence on German and European history. ... Nickname: DC, The District Motto: Justitia Omnibus (Justice for All) Location of Washington, D.C., in relation to the states Maryland and Virginia. ... Nickname: Big Apple; City that never Sleeps; Gotham Location in the state of New York Coordinates: Country United States State New York Boroughs The Bronx Manhattan Queens Brooklyn Staten Island Settled 1613 Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) Area    - City 1,214. ...

The information collected during these travels resulted in his famous work Seiyo Jijo ("Conditions in The West"), which he published in ten volumes in 1867, 1868 and 1870. The books described western culture and institutions in simple, easy to understand terms, and were an immediate best seller. Fukazawa was soon regarded as the foremost expert on all things western, and led to his decision that his mission in life was to educate his countrymen in new ways of thinking, which in turn, would strengthen Japan and enable it to resist the threat of European imperialism. Imperialism is a policy of extending control or authority over foreign entities as a means of acquisition and/or maintenance of empires. ...

Works

Statue of Fukuzawa at Keio University

Possibly Fukuzawa's writings were his greatest contribution to the Meiji period. Between 1872 and 1876, he published 17 volumes of Gakumon no Susume ("An Encouragement of Learning" or more literally "of Studying"). In these texts, Fukuzawa outlines the importance of understanding the principle of equality of opportunity and that study was the key to greatness. He was an avid supporter of education and founded one of Japan's most prestigious universities, Keio-gijuku, now known as Keio University. He believed in a firm mental foundation through education and studying. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1096x1206, 1168 KB) 慶應義塾大学の創設者でもある福沢諭吉の胸像・三田キャンパス図書館旧館の前にある。提供者自身による撮影。 statue of Fukuzawa Yukichi,who is a founder of Keio University. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1096x1206, 1168 KB) 慶應義塾大学の創設者でもある福沢諭吉の胸像・三田キャンパス図書館旧館の前にある。提供者自身による撮影。 statue of Fukuzawa Yukichi,who is a founder of Keio University. ... Keio University (library, Mita campus) Keio University as seen from Tokyo Tower Keio University (慶應義塾大学 Keiō Gijuku Daigaku) is the top private university in Japan, which has a proud history as Japans very first private institution of higher learning, which dates back to the formation of a school for Dutch...

In the volumes of Gakumon no Susume, Fukuzawa advocated his most lasting principle, "national independence through personal independence." Through personal independence, an individual does not have to depend on the strength of another. With such a self-determining social morality, Fukuzawa hoped to instill a sense of personal strength among the people of Japan, and through that personal strength, build a nation to rival all others.

Fukuzawa also published many influential essays and critical works, one of most lasting of which is "Bunmeiron no Gairyaku" ("An Outline of a Theory of Civilization") published in 1875, in which he details his own theory of civilization. According to Fukuzawa, civilization is relative to time and circumstance, as well as comparison. For example, China was relatively civilized in comparison to some of the Africa colonies, and European nations were the most civilized of all, at the time. Many of Fukuzawa's views were shared by colleagues in the Meirokusha intellectual society, and were published in his contributions to Meiroku Zasshi (Meiji Six Magazine), a scholarly journal he helped publish. A world map showing the continent of Africa. ... The Meirokusha - Meiji 6 Society was an intellectual society set up by statesman Mori Arinori in 1873 six years after the Meiji Restoration. ...

Fukuzawa was later criticized as a supporter of Japanese imperialism because of his essay "Datsu-A Ron" ("Leaving Asia") published in 1885, as well as for his support of the First Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895). Yet, "Datsu-A Ron" was actually a response to a failed attempt by Koreans to organize an effective reform faction, an attempt he had supported. He had invited young Korean aristocrats to his school. Yet, they squandered their time and money on getting drunk and buying prostitutes and after Fukuzawa tightened their allowance, they attempted a failed robbery of a school safe. The essay was published as a withdrawal of his support. Nevertheless the assistance provided to radical Koreans during this era was never intended to lead to complete independence for the peninsula, but on the contrary sought to bring Korea under ever greater Japanese influence. This was amply demonstrated by the power-plays undertaken in Korea by both Koreans supported by Fukuzawa and the Imperial Japanese Army during the First Sino-Japanese War. Imperialism is a policy of extending control or authority over foreign entities as a means of acquisition and/or maintenance of empires. ... Datsu-A Ron (Japanese: 脱亜論) was an article written by Fukuzawa Yukichi. ... Combatants Qing Empire (China) Empire of Japan Commanders Li Hongzhang Yamagata Aritomo Strength 630,000 men Beiyang Army, Beiyang Fleet 240,000 men Imperial Japanese Army, Imperial Japanese Navy Casualties 35,000 dead or wounded 13,823 dead, 3,973 wounded The First Sino–Japanese War (Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: Zh... Datsu-A Ron (Japanese: 脱亜論) was an article written by Fukuzawa Yukichi. ... The Imperial Japanese Army (: 大日本帝國陸軍 Shinjitai: 大日本帝国陸軍 Dai-Nippon Teikoku Rikugun) was the official ground based armed force of Japan from 1867 to 1945 when it was Imperial Japan. ...

His enthusiastic support of the First Sino-Japanese War had much to do with his opinions about modernization. Like many of his peers in the government, Fukuzawa ultimately believed the modernization of Asia could ultimately only be achieved by force. He believed that China suffered from archaic and unchanging principles and would be unable to change under its own power. At the time of the war, foot binding was still the practice in China, opium had been sold on street, political institutions were corrupt, and unable to fend off foreign incursions, China was selling national interests such as railroads and taxation to pay foreign debts. Japan, similarly, suffered the humiliation of having to endure unequal treaties with the Western powers, to avoid the fate of China, Fukuzawa hoped a display of military prowess would sway public opinion in the West towards treaty revision. In his hopes for a strong Japan, Fukuzawa saw the Asian countries around Japan as both dangers and opportunities. X-ray of bound feet. ... The Unequal Treaties is the name in the English language used by modern China for a series of treaties signed by several Asian states, including the Qing Empire in China, late Tokugawa Japan, and late Joseon Korea, and foreign powers (列強, 열강) during the 19th and early 20th centuries. ...

"In my view, these two countries [China and Korea] cannot survive as independent nations with the onslaught of Western civilization to the East. . . It is not different from the case of the righteous man living in a neighborhood of a town known for foolishness, lawlessness, atrocity, and heartlessness. His action is so rare that it is always buried under the ugliness of his neighbors' activities," Fukuzawa wrote in "Datsu-A Ron." Datsu-A Ron (Japanese: 脱亜論) was an article written by Fukuzawa Yukichi. ...

Fukuzawa's most important contribution to the reformation effort, though, came in the form of a newspaper called Jiji Shimpo, which he started in 1882, after being prompted by Inoue Kaoru, Okuma Shigenobu, and Ito Hirobumi to establish a strong influence among the people through publishing. All agreed the government should take the form of a national assembly, and as reforms began, Fukuzawa, whose fame was already unquestionable, began production of Jiji Shimpo, which received wide circulation, encouraging the people to enlighten themselves and to adopt a moderate political attitude towards the change that was being engineered within the social and political structures of Japan. None of this is truly accurate. 1880 (Meiji 13) Inoue Kaoru (井上 馨 Inoue Kaoru, January 16, 1836 - September 1, 1915;) was a Japanese statesman. ... Okuma Shigenobu (大隈重信 Okuma Shigenobu 16 February 1838–10 January 1922) was a Japanese politician and the 8th (June 30, 1898–November 8, 1898) and 17th (April 16, 1914–October 9, 1916) Prime Minister of Japan. ... Born in Hagi, Yamaguchi, Prince Itō Hirobumi (伊藤 博文 Itō Hirobumi 16 October 1841–26 October 1909, also called Hirofumi/Hakubun and Shunsuke in his youth) was a Japanese politician and the countrys first Prime Minister (and the 5th, 7th and 10th). ... The National Assembly is the name of either a legislature, or the lower house of a bicameral legislature in some countries. ...

Legacy

Fukuzawa appears on the 10,000 yen banknote engraved by Edoardo Chiossone.

Fukuzawa's ideas about individual strength and his knowledge of western political theory, as presented in his writings, were instrumental in motivating the Japanese people to embrace change. He may well have been one of the most influential personalities in the modernization of Japan. He is regarded as one of the leaders of the Meiji Enlightenment movement. Fukuzawa never accepted a government position, and remained a private citizen all of his life. By the time of his death, he was revered as one of the founders of modern Japan. 10,000 yen note from Japan, with Fukuzawa Yukichis portrait. ... 10,000 yen note from Japan, with Fukuzawa Yukichis portrait. ... ISO 4217 Code JPY User(s) Japan Inflation -0. ... Edoardo Chiossone (1833 - April 11, 1898) was an Italian o-yatoi gaikokujin. ...

Fukuzawa appears on the current 10,000-yen banknote and has been compared to Benjamin Franklin in the United States, interestingly since Franklin appears on the similarly-valued $100 bill. Although all other figures appearing on Japanese banknotes changed when the recent redesign was released, Fukuzawa remained on the 10,000-yen note. ISO 4217 Code JPY User(s) Japan Inflation -0. ... Benjamin Franklin (January 17 [O.S. January 6] 1706 – April 17, 1790) was one of the most well known Founding Fathers of the United States. ... Obverse of the $100 bill Reverse of the $100 bill The U.S. one hundred dollar bill ($100) is a denomination of United States currency. ...

Yukichi Fukuzawa's former residence in the city of Nakatsu in Ōita Prefecture is a Nationally Designated Cultural Asset. The house and the Yukichi Fukuzawa Memorial Hall are the major tourist attractions of this city. Map showing location of Nakatsu in Oita Prefecture (as of 2006). ... ÅŒita Prefecture ) is located on KyÅ«shÅ« Island, Japan. ...

Further reading

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to:

Fukuzawa Yukichi

• Japan: A Documentary History
• Pride and Independence: Fukuzawa Yukichi and the Spirit of the Meiji Restoration
• Fukuzawa biography at UNESCO (PDF)
• The Autobiography of Yukichi Fukuzawa. NY: Columbia University Press, 1966. Revised translation by E. Kiyooka.

Image File history File links Wikiquote-logo-en. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

External links

• Article about Fukuzawa Yukichi from UNESCO publication