A cram school is very common in Japan. To keep up with school life or to pass the entrance examination, many students attend a cram school. In Edo period, there were cram schools in temple called Terakoya.My ancestors ran a Terakoya in Edo period. Also they are thought to be one of vassals of Takeda Shingen (like SGOGUN). The Takeda clan was incredibly powerful during the Sengoku period, and their vassals were known for their loyalty and martial prowess.
養麟学舎
(Yourin Gakusha)
Yōrin Gakusha was a school founded in response to the government’s education reforms in the early Meiji period (specifically in 1872, with the Gakusei or Education Order). It appears that its purpose was to educate the public and nurture prominent individuals. The school was originally established at Rengejō-in, a temple, and later moved to the Kiriu family residence after the temple was destroyed by fire in 1878.
- The Kiriu family had long been involved in education, as their residence became the site for the new school. Over time, more and more people from nearby areas like Machida began to attend, and the school eventually expanded to Hikawa Shrine, creating a branch school to accommodate the growing number of students.
- Eventually, the educational efforts of local temple schools in the Aihara, Koyama, and Hashimoto regions came together to form Asahi Elementary School, reflecting the shift toward more modern educational institutions.
As for the Hara family, you mentioned that they are said to be descendants of Hara Ōkuma-no-Kami, a prominent retainer of Takeda Shingen. Hara Ōkuma-no-Kami has an interesting legend tied to the Battle of Kawanakajima, where it’s said he stabbed the horse of Uesugi Kenshin with a spear, helping to protect Takeda Shingen. After the fall of the Takeda clan, many of their vassals, including the Hara family, returned to farming to avoid punishment. Some also became involved in trade, including sericulture, which was significant in the region, and the remnants of those businesses can still be found in old family names, such as cotton merchants, silk traders, and soy sauce producers.
Terakoya were private schools in Japan during the Edo period (1603–1868) where commoners’ children learned reading, writing, and arithmetic. Before the establishment of a compulsory education system, terakoya played a crucial role in providing education to the general public.
1. Origins of Terakoya
- As early as the Muromachi period (1336–1573), Buddhist monks at temples and shrines provided education.
- During the Edo period, literacy rates among the samurai and townspeople increased, and the need for reading and writing skills among commoners led to the spread of terakoya across Japan.
2. Terakoya in the Edo Period
(1) Operation and Location
- While many terakoya were held in temple buildings, they could also be found in private homes, merchant shops, or samurai residences.
- Teachers (Shisho, or masters) were often ronin (masterless samurai), monks, doctors, or educated townspeople who had received formal education.
(2) Subjects Taught
- Reading and writing: Hiragana, katakana, and kanji
- Arithmetic (soroban, or abacus use): Essential for commerce and daily life
- Letter writing: Important for official documents and business communication
- Etiquette and moral teachings: Particularly for samurai and merchants’ children
- The curriculum varied by region and teacher, with a strong emphasis on practical knowledge rather than theoretical studies.
(3) Students (Terako, or pupils)
- Mostly children of merchants, farmers, and artisans, though samurai and wealthy merchant families also sent their children.
- Both boys and girls could attend, though girls often focused more on sewing and etiquette.
3. Changes in the Meiji Period
- 1872 (Meiji 5): The Gakusei (Education System Order) was issued, introducing Japan’s modern compulsory education system.
- Many terakoya were abolished or reorganized into elementary schools.
- This transition marked the beginning of a national education system where all children had access to public schooling.
4. Impact of Terakoya
- During the Edo period, Japan had one of the highest literacy rates in the world (estimated at 50–70%).
- Practical education at terakoya helped develop commerce, crafts, and cultural knowledge among commoners.
- The concept of private tutoring and cram schools (juku) in modern Japan can be traced back to the terakoya system.
