A Brief Life Storyof Joe Neesima

Produced by
Wild Rover Project Committee

Version1.0

Table of Contents
Chapter 1 From Birth until Leaving Japan
1. Birth and Childhood
2. As a Young Man
3. His Time in Hakodate
4. His Departure and Life on the Ocean
Chapter 2 Studying in the United States of America
1. Meeting Hardy
2. His Time at Phillips Academy
3. His Time at Amherst College
Chapter 3 Tour of Europe and his Ambition
1. His Time at Andover Theological Seminary
2. Educational Tour of Europe
3. Speech at the Annual Meeting of the American Board
Chapter 4 From his Return to the Start of Doshisha English Academy
1. Toward the Establishment of Doshisha
2. The Beginning of Doshisha English Academy and Friction with
Neighbors
3. “Classroom No.30” and Kumamoto Band
4. Caning for Self-Punishment
Chapter 5 From the Opening of Schools to Neesima’s Last Moments
1. Education for Rural Areas in Japan
2. Second Tour of Europe and his Last Will
3. His Death, Funeral and Tombstone
Chronological Table of History of Doshisha/Neesima and Other
Domestic / International issues
Appendix
1．“Why I Departed from Japan”
2. “The Aim in Establishing Doshisha University”
3. Will (Excerpts)
Bibliography: All references are in Japanese.

Chapter 1 From Birth until Leaving Japan
1. Birth and Childhood
On February 12th, 1843, (January 14th in the old calendar), Joe Neesima wasborn into the house of the Annaka Prefectural Prince, in the Kanda area of
Edo(Tokyo). He was the oldest boy after his 4 sisters, so they were happy to havea son to be the successor in the family. He was originally named Shimeta, andthere are two explanations for this. The first is that he was named after the
Shimenawa that was displayed in his house around the New Year, when he wasborn. The second is that his grandfather yelled “Shimeta!” in rejoice when he wasborn and that became his name.
Neesima liked to play outside, especially flying kites, and he sometimes
enjoyed it so much that he forgot to go home in the evening. To warn him not to
do that, his father Tamiji took his kites off him, but he often found parts and madehimself new kites. When he was 8 years old, he fell off the fence of the garbage
dump and badly injured above his eye, so he decided to stop playing outside anddedicated his time to study.
Neesima’s father Tamiji was very good at writing and had a job as a registrar,
so he started learning calligraphy from when he was 5 years old. He also started
learning Chinese characters at 10 years old, but the head of his fief Katsuakira
Itakura, who had encouraged his studies, saw his potential and made him study
Dutch. After coming of age at 14, he was told to follow in his father’s footsteps
and help as a registrar, but he was so absorbed by his studies of Dutch that heoften neglected his work and went out to study at the Dutch school. Katsuakira’s
younger brother Katsumasa, who had followed in the footsteps of Katsuakira,wasn’t interested in studies, and tried to stop Neesima from studying, but
Neesima did his best to show that he wanted to continue his studies, so it was
accepted that he could go to school.
2. As a Young Man
In November of 1860, at 17 years old, Neesima joined the Naval Academy andmet Manjiro Nakahama, who was a teacher there. Manjiro Nakahama was afisherman from Tosa. While out fishing in 1841, he became lost, but was savedby an American whaling ship that took him to Massachusetts, where he was able
to study and become a navigation officer before coming back to Japan. Neesima
enthusiastically studied math, navigation, and surveying.

In November of 1862, when he was 19, Neesima finished his study at the Naval
Academy and was requested by Katsukiyo Itakura, who was the head of the
Bicchuu-Matsuyama Prefecture, to take part in the navigation of Tamashima. He
joined the samurai warriors of the Bicchuu-Matsuyama Prefecture and left theEdo Bay on the Kaifuu-Maru. They made their way to Tamashima and back,going via Osaka, and taking about 2 months. It was his first time to go overseas
and experience different cultures, so he was able to sense how big the world was,as well as widen his views and ways of thinking on this trip.
At that time, a teacher at the Dutch school that Neesima went to lent him somebooks. “Robinson Crusoe'' made him even more interested in going abroad, andwhen he read about America’s history and geography in Renpou-Shiryaku, headmired the politics, education, and welfare policies there. After reading about
the Genesis in the Bible, he felt more respect for God than his parents and headof his fief, and that made him want to leave Japan and follow God even more.
3. His Time in Hakodate
In March of 1864, 1 year after navigating Tamashima, Neesima met thesamurai of Bicchuu-Matsuyama Prefecture that he had been with on the ship bycoincidence and heard that they were going to Hakodate. He decided to join themand go to Hakodate, so went to ask for permission from Katsumasa Itakurastraight away. While he officially said he would study at a school called “Takeda
Juku”, he was really thinking about escaping overseas.
When he arrived in Hakodate, Neesima went to Takeda Juku, but Mr. Takeda
was absent, so he talked with Seiichirou Suganuma, the head the students of theschool. He said he wanted to get to know some foreigners, so he was introduced
to a Russian priest called Nikolai a few days later. In return for being able to livein the priest’s house, Neesima taught Japanese to Nikolai. After a while he told
Nikolai about his plan to travel overseas, but Nikolai refused to help him, andadvised him to stay and study with him.
After being turned down by Nikolai, Neesima went to talk with Seiichirou
Suganuma again, and he was introduced to Takuma Sawabe who thenintroduced him to Unokichi Fukushi. Fukushi was originally a ship builder, but had
been learning English from the diplomats at the American consul and worked at
the Alexander Porter Trading Company as a translator. Neesima learned English
from Fukushi, and soon told him about his plan to leave Japan. He promised tohelp him.

4. His Departure and Life on the Ocean
Fukushi negotiated with Captain Savory of the American ship Berlin which wasin Hakodate Port, and was able to get him to allow Neesima to go on the ship. In
the middle of the night on July 17th (June 14th in the old calendar) of 1864 hedressed as a local and went to the wharf where Fukushi was waiting, and they
took a small boat that he had prepared to go over to the Berlin. Captain Savory
was ready, and he took Neesima to the storage room to give him shelter, so hewouldn’t be discovered in the next morning’s check, and was able to escape fromJapan without any problems.
Captain Savory made Neesima work as a captain’s helper. The first jobs hehad were being a waiter and doing cleaning and washing, which he felt he had toendure, so he cut off his topknot and gave up being a samurai. The Berlin wasplanning to go to Nagasaki after visiting Shanghai, so Neesima asked Captain
Savory to find him another ship to take him from Shanghai. Captain Savory triedand failed to find a ship several times, but finally found one that was going to
Boston, so he was able to change ships.
The captain of the ship going to Boston, the Wild Rover, was Captain Taylor,and he affectionately called Neesima “Joe”, making him a captain’s helper again.
Out of appreciation, Neesima gave Captain Taylor his long sword, and Captain
Taylor gave Neesima an English Bible in return. At a later port of call in Hong
Kong, Neesima sold his short sword to Captain Taylor for $8, and bought himself
a Bible with Chinese characters at a book store. Neesima was then able to readthe Bible, as he had wanted to do for a long time. On July 20th, 1865, the Wild
Rover safely arrived in Boston.

Chapter 2 Studying in the United States of America
1. Meeting Hardy
Before leaving the ship, Captain Taylor gave Neesima some pocket money andpromised to bring someone to take care of him. Neesima endured the lonely days
until he was picked up by reading the English version of the story of “Robinson
Crusoe" that he had bought at a bookstore.
A month after his arrival, Mr. Savory, who had taken Neesima to Shanghai,came to see him. He had been fired because he gave Neesima a ride on his ship,
so had returned to his hometown, Boston via England from Nagasaki. However,
Mr. Savory didn’t come to the ship to take care of Neesima.

After living on the ship for about 80 days, Alfieus Hardy, the owner of the Wild
Rover came. He asked Neesima why he had come to America. Neesima
answered in English but Hardy could not understand his English. He took
Neesima to the Christian Sailor’s Home and asked him to write down why he hadcome to America. Neesima stayed up for two nights and worked hard to complete
his composition, “Why I Departed from Japan.” in English. The document
described his birth and childhood years, his devotion to Dutch studies, hisknowledge of America from books, how he encountered God through the Bible,and his desire to get an education at school. Mr. and Mrs. Hardy were impressedby Neesima’s letter and decided to take him into their family.
2. His Time at Phillips Academy
When it came to how to help Joe Neesima, Hardy thought first and foremost of
the need for education because Hardy gave up on becoming a pastor in his youth
due to his health and later worked to help educate young people. He was a board
member of three schools that Neesima would later go to. In October, 1865,
Neesima entered Phillips Academy, a high school in Andover. He was 21 years
old, and had the goal of learning English first. At this time, it seems that he took
his first ever train ride. From then on, Hardy covered all his expenses.
Neesima was supposed to stay in the school dormitory, but he stayed in aboarding house until he could improve his English. Ms. Hidden was the landladyof the boarding house during this Andover period at Phillips Academy. She wasdeeply impressed by his letter "Why I departed from Japan" and decided to takecare of him. Mr. and Mrs. E. Flint, Jr. also resided in Ms. Hidden’s house where
Neesima stayed and kindly assisted in his studies. Neesima was amazed at how
kind all the people he met were to a stranger like him, Since Ms. Hidden was a
Sunday school teacher, Neesima often visited the church. In December, 1866,
while at Phillips Academy, Neesima became a Christian and was baptized at
Bartlett Chapel.
3. His Time at Amherst College
After graduating from Phillips Academy in September 1867, Neesima wasadmitted to Amherst College. At Amherst College, he majored in natural science.
He became particularly interested in geology. Professor Seeley, an advisor anda kind teacher of philosophy and religion, warmly welcomed Neesima, and tookcare of him at his home, before he moved into the dormitory, as well as duringhis long school vacations when the dormitory was closed and when Neesimama
got sick.
Through Professor Seeley's kind personality, Neesima learned how he should
be a good person, a Christian, and an educator. Seeley also highly praised
Neesima, saying, "You cannot gild gold." He appreciated Neesima's character.
Neesima’s roommate was Holland. He wanted to be a roommate with Neesima,
who was considered the best Christian in the college. "Quiet as a house mouse"
was what Holland thought of Neesima. Holland and Neesima shared the samehobbies: painting and collecting minerals. Every evening, he and Neesima reada chapter of the Bible and said prayers together.
In July, 1870, Neesima graduated from Amherst College with a Bachelor of
Science degree. Neesima became the first Japanese to graduate from a
university in the United States. Later, his classmates sent a portrait of Neesima
to his alma mater to commemorate the 30th anniversary of their graduation. The
portrait of Neesima is displayed today in Johnson Chapel.

Chapter 3 Tour of Europe and his Ambition
1. His Time at Andover Theological Seminary
While at Amherst, Neesima wanted to become a pastor, so he entered Andover
Theological Seminary in September, 1870. While he was living in the dormitoryand studying theology there, Arinori Mori, who took up the post of the Japanese
Minister to the U.S., contacted Neesima about meeting in Boston.
Thanks to Mori’s arrangement, Neesima was able to obtain a passport andpermission to study abroad from the Japanese government, which opened theway for him to return to Japan. However, he did not like the idea of receiving
public funds and being bound by the government.
The Japanese government ordered Neesima to return to Japan, but thanks toMori's efforts, he was able to stay in the U.S. until he graduated from the seminary.
This was because Mori wanted Neesima to play a role in explaining the American
educational system to the Iwakura mission.
When the Iwakura mission visited the US to learn about things there in March
1872, Neesima was called by Arinori Mori to help Fujimaro Tanaka, who was amember of the Iwakura Mission and the commissioner of the Ministry of
Educational Bureau of Japan. Twelve Japanese students who were sponsoredby the Japanese government to study in America were also present. WhenNeesima and the students met Tanaka, the twelve students prostrated
themselves in the way they would greet a lord. However, Neesima just bowed
lightly, and Tanaka only shook hands with Neesima. It was at this point that
Neesima decided to accompany the Iwakura Mission.
2. Educational Tour of Europe
Having gained Tanaka's trust, Neesima was asked to guide, interpret,
and write a report on his visits to various schools in the U.S., and about theeducational system in America. Neesima was later requested by Tanaka to join
their educational tour to Europe. Neesima took one-year away from Andover
Theological Seminary to accompany Tanaka and interpret for him.
As they saw the roles of various schools in Europe and the United States,
the government officials began to have the idea that Japan also needed to reform
its educational system. Tanaka felt that he needed Neesima’s help, and hewanted Neesima to go back to Japan with him. However, Neesima had decided
to resume his studies at Andover Theological Seminary, so he declined the offer.
At this time, Neesima already had a dream of establishing a Christian school inJapan.
3. Speech at the Annual Meeting of the American Board
After coming back from Europe to the United States, Neesima received
a letter from Gordon, whom Neesima had known and who had been sent toOsaka as a missionary by the American Board, asking Neesima to return toJapan and help in their ministry.
Neesima, who became a licensed minister after graduating from thetheological seminary, was chosen to be sent on a mission to Japan by theAmerican Board.
In October, 1874, the 65th annual meeting of the American Board washeld in Rutland, Vermont. Neesima joined the meeting and was to speak. He
addressed the audience passionately. To a packed audience of 1000 in the hall
at Grace Church, he insisted on the need to increase the Christian spirit in Japanand to introduce Christian education there. When Neesima asked for donations,many of the audience agreed and ultimately about $5,000 was donated after his
speech. The story of one farmer who gave the $2 meant for his train ride home
has been passed down from generation to generation. Neesima left for Japan
with a desire to preach Christianity and establish a Christian school in Japan.

Chapter 4
AcademyFrom his Return to the Start of Doshisha English

1. Toward the Establishment of Doshisha
10 years had passed since he had escaped overseas when, on November 26 ,
1874, he arrived at Yokohama Port. The following day, he rented threerickshaws and headed to Annnaka to meet his family, who had returned to theirthhomeland from Edo. He stayed in Annaka for about a month and left for Kansai,
since missionaries from the American Board had started their mission in the area
(mainly in Osaka and Kobe). He first went to Osaka in order to receive
permission to open a school. However, the Governor of Osaka, Nobori
Watanabe, did not allow him to open a Christian school, so he had to give up
opening his school in Osaka. The next place he went to was Kyoto, where theGovernor Masanao Makimura took his idea positively and introduced to him
Kakuma Yamamoto as a patron.
At that time, Kakuma Yamamoto was in an advisory position for Kyoto
prefecture and was working hard to develop industries and education in
Kyoto. He was a samurai from Aizu and joined the Battle of Toba Fushimi on
the Old Government’s side. He was injured and lost his sight during the battle
and was captured in Satsuma domain in Kyoto. While he was there, he had his
apprentice dictate a petition letter (Kanken) to the new government. The letter
was highly appreciated by the government and he was asked to remain in Kyoto
after his release and to work for modernization of Kyoto. When Yamamoto heard
of Neesima’s plan to make a Christian school, he encouraged Neesima to makethe school in Kyoto, and even provided the land he owned for the project.
In August, 1875, Neesima and Yamamoto co-authored a petition for the
opening of a private school and submitted it to Kyoto prefecture. They also had
J.D. Davis, a missionary from American Board, join them as their first teacher.
However, Buddhist monks and Shinto priests loudly protested against the idea ofmaking a Christian school in Kyoto and Neesima had to promise to Kyoto
prefecture that they would never teach the Bible on their campus.

2. The Beginning of Doshisha English Academy and Friction with
Neighbors“Doshisha English Academy” started with a prayer meeting in the house that
Neesima was renting at 8 am on November 29th, 1875. The name Doshisha
literally means an association of people with the same purpose, and began withjust eight students and two teachers, J.D. Davis and Jo Neesima himself, whowere together on the first day. Davis later wrote, “I will never forget the gentle,
tearful, solemn prayer that Neesima said at his home, on the first day for ourschool.”The following year, in 1876, two school buildings and one cafeteria were built
where there had been a Satsuma domain, (the current Imadegawa Campus). Jo
had obtained the land from Kakuma Yamamoto, who was in an advisory position
for Kyoto prefecture and agreed with Jo’s ambition. It wasn’t long after the banon Christianity had been lifted, but there were still fierce protests from Buddhist
and Shinto priests. To the north of the school, there was a Buddhist temple
called Shokokuji, and to the south there was the Emperor’s Palace. Doshisha
Academy was geologically, as well as politically, placed between Buddhism andShintoism, so their start was very challenging, with people heckling and throwing
rocks at them.

3. “Classroom No.30” and Kumamoto BandAs one of the conditions for opening a new school, Neesima had been forced
to promise that he would not teach the Bible inside the campus, so he held theBible lessons at his home. Later, he bought a tofu shop across the street fromthe campus, and it became a place to teach the Bible. Students called theabandoned building “England” or “Classroom No.30,” since it was located onstreet number 30.
Kumamoto prefecture invited Mr. L.L. Janes from America and opened aWestern style school in Kumamoto. However, people in Kumamoto wereshocked when 35 students who followed Christianity gathered on the summit of
Hanaokayama in Kumamoto and signed a pledge to work for society with thespirit of Christianity. This incident eventually led to strong protests and theschool was shut down in September, 1876. Through Mr. Janes, Doshisha
Academy welcomed about 40 students from the Kumamoto school who had losttheir place to study. Doshisha made a preparatory course on theology for themand taught them the Bible in “Classroom No.30.” These young students werelater called the “Kumamoto Band.”
4. Caning for Self-Punishment
In March of1880, in Doshisha’s fifth year, an incident occurred. Teachers
decided to combine the classes of students who entered the school in January of
1879 with those who came 4 months later, and to teach them together as one
class. This decision caused discontent in the first class of students and theywrote an angry letter to the teachers to ask them about it. This even led to a strikeby the students, where they were deliberately absent from classes. In the morning
worship on April 13th, 1880, Neesima said “Students’ absence from class is aviolation of school regulations, but the students are not to blame. Neither is ourschool board. As the principal of this school, I am the one to be blamed, and thisis all my fault. Therefore, I must punish the principal.” After saying that, he struck
his left hand with his cane so hard that the cane broke in half.
One of the students present at the morning worship was Iichiro(Soho)
Tokutomi. He quit the school after this “Caning for Self-Punishment,” thenplayed an active role as a journalist. Even after he left Doshisha, he helped
Neesima to establish Doshisha University with great dedication, and played alarge role in writing “The Aims of Doshisha University”.

Chapter 5 From the Opening of Schools to Neesima’s Last
Moments
1. Education for Rural Areas in JapanOne of Neesima’s dreams was to see Christian schools in various regions inJapan. In June, 1886, he opened Miyagi Academy in Miyagi prefecture andbecame the principal. In the following year, the school was renamed as Toka
School, and its school motto was “Seek Truth and Do Good.” After Neesima’s
death, Toka School was later closed in 1892, but the school motto is stillpreserved on the outer wall of Sendai Nika Junior and Senior High School. In
1889, Kyoaisha was established in Gunma prefecture, for which Neesima is listed
as one of the original promoters.
Neesima was also interested in medicine because he hoped to help people not
only spiritually but also physically. He talked to J.C. Berry, who was one of
medical missionaries of American Board, and started Doshisha Hospital andKyoto Nurses’ School in 1887. Berry became the head of the hospital andNeesima became the principal of the nurses’ school. However, due to financial
difficulty, the hospital and the nurses’ school were closed in 1897 and 1906
respectively. However, Neesima’s wish came true when a Department of Nursing
was established in Doshisha Women’s College of Liberal Arts in 2015.
2. Second Tour of Europe and his Last Will
A born traveler, Neesima went on his second trip to the West on April 5th, in
1884. The trip was meant to be for relaxation, but it ended up being a trip forraising money to start Doshisha University and learn more about
Christianity. During his stay in Italy, he hoped to see the Pope, but he decided
not to because it was necessary to “kneel down in front of the Pope” to showrespect for him. He didn’t like to flatter someone in power or authority, so he said
“My knees are too stiff to bend in front of the Pope,” but he humbly pleaded withothers to financially support the start of Doshisha University, which was the“purpose” of his life.
In November, 1888, “The Aims of Doshisha University” was published innewspapers and magazines nationwide. On the night of November 28th, in 1889,
Neesima had a severe stomachache while he was in Gumma for the fund-raising
campaign, so he decided to take a rest at Mukadeya Hotel, in Oiso,
Kanagawa. On January 17th, in 1890, he was diagnosed with acute peritonitis
and was already in a critical condition when his wife, Yae, arrived at the inn. On
the early morning of January 21st, he verbally communicated his wills about the
future of Doshisha and Soho Tokutomi wrote them down.
3. His Death, Funeral and Tombstone
At 2:20 pm, on January 23rd in 1890, Neesima ended his journey of 46 years
and 11 months. He was able to ride the Tokaido train for the first time, although
he was no longer alive. When he arrived at Kyoto station near midnight, it was
sleeting, but more than 600 people related to Doshisha and the churches were
waiting for his return. They took turns in carrying his body on their shoulders
along the dark and muddy road to his home. His funeral was held in Doshisha
Chapel on January 27th. A line of about 3000 people who carried his coffin
stretched to the cemetery on top of Mt. Nyakuoji.
The letters “新島襄の墓” (The Tombstone of Neesima Jo) were carved on his
tombstone in the Doshisha cemetery on Mt. Nyakuoji. They were written byKaishu Katsu as a token of their friendship. You can see many tombstones
beside his, including those of his wife Yae, their family members, andmissionaries. At the entrance of the cemetery, just across Neesima’s tombstonesilently stands the tombstone of Gohei Matsumoto. He served Doshisha for along time as a workman and Neesima called him “Gohei-san” with respectful title“san”, while students called him just “Gohei.” This episode reminds us of how
Neesima called his wife “Yae-san,” while Yae just called him Jo, because he saidin his will that “Firstly teachers must treat their students respectfully.” We cansee how he found it important to treasure each individual through his sincere
attitude by calling everyone with a respectful title. His words in the will represent
his wish for us to value each other all the time.

Members of Wild Rover Project Committee,
within The Doshisha Center for Promotion of Integrated Education.
David Foreman: Doshisha Junior/Senior High School
Arisa Furimoto: Doshisha Elementary School
Yuji Kawae: Doshisha Junior/Senior High School
Yoshiki Morita: Doshisha University
Yoshiyuki Nakagawa: Doshisha Elementary School
Soichiro Ooka: Doshisha Junior/Senior High School
Nozomi Sakurai: Doshisha Junior/Senior High School
Tomoko Yamashita: Doshisha Women’s College
Past member
Yoshimi Kimura: Doshisha Junior/Senior High School

Chronological Table of History of Doshisha/Neesima and Other
Domestic / International issues
The Life of Joseph Neesima /Doshsha
1843(天保 14)1853(嘉永 6)

Joseph Hardy Neesima is born on February
12th (the old lunar calendar: January 14th)
in the residence of Joshu, Annaka Domain
located in Kanda Hitotsubashi, Edo. His
childhood name is Shimeta.
Neesima enters the school of the Annaka
Domain and begins Chinese studies under
Soekawa Rensai. At the same time he begins
sword-fencing and horseback riding
training.

1856(安政 3)With the order of Katsuakira Itakura, Lord ofAnnaka Domain, Neesima starts Dutch
studies from Junsuke Tajima.

1857(安政 4)

Katsuaki Itakura dies, and his brother
Katsumasa succeeds him.

1860(萬延元)

Neesima first goes to Annaka, as the guard of
the Lord, Katsumasa.
He studies mathematics, navigation andsurveying there.
Neesima becomes the student
representative at the Naval Training Center.
He hurts his eyes from studying too hard.
Neesima quits the Naval Training Center
because his eye trouble. 甲賀源吾の塾で兵学、測量等を学ぶ。
For two months, continuing into thefollowing year, Neesima makes a voyage
from Edo to Tamashima (the present
Kurashiki City in Okayama Prefecture) on
the Kaifu Maru, a Western sailing ship
owned by the Bicchu Matsuyama Domain(the present Takahashi City in Okayama
Prefecture).
Neesima begins studying English in addition
to Dutch.
Neesima gets permission to enter Takeda
School in Hakodate. Neesima sails from
Shinagawa to Hakodate aboard the Kaifu
Maru. In Hakodate, he teaches Japanese toPere Nicolai, the chaplain of the RussianConsulate. Neesima sneaks onto theAmerican merchant ship the Berlin. In
Shanghai, Neesima is transferred to another
American ship called the Wild Rover. Upon
stopping at Hong Kong, Neesima purchasesa Chinese translation of the New Testament

1861(文久元)1862(文久 2)1863(文久 3)1864(元治元)Events in Japan and aroundthe world
Tempo reforms led by
Tadakuni is dismissed.

Perry visits Uraga. A treaty
between the United States ofAmerica and the Empire ofJapan is signed, followed by
the Anglo-Japanese
Friendship Treaty
Conclusion of the Treaty ofAmity and Commerce
between Japan and theUnited States

Incident outside the Sakurada
Gate

Abraham Lincoln assumes
the presidency. The
American Civil War
Sakashitamon Incident.
Kazunomiya koka (themarriage of Kazunomiya
Imperial princess to an
ordinary person). Namamugi
Incident.

Anglo-Satsuma War. Coup of
August 18.
The Kimmon no Hen(Conspiracy of Kimmon).
The first conquest of Choshu.

1865(慶応元)1866(慶応 2)1867(慶応 3)(with the money he made from selling his
small sword to Captain H. S. Taylor.)
The Wildrover arrives in Boston. Neesima
hands “Why I Departed from Japan” to Mr.
and Mrs. A. Hardy, the owners of the Wild
Rover. After reading it they decide to
become his “foster parents". Neesima
enters Phillips Academy.
Neesima is baptized at the church ofAndover Theological Seminary.
Neesima graduates from Phillips Academy.
He then enters Amherst College.

1868(明冶元)1870(明治 3)1871(明治 4)1872(明治 5)1873(明治 6)1874(明治 7)

The Second conquest of
Choshu.

Satsuma and Choshu Alliance
Restoration of the power tothe Emperor and restoring
the Imperial rule.
Boshin War(-69)
Five Edict Boards, Charter
Oath of Five Articles
The completion of theTranscontinental Railroad in
the USA.
The capital is transferred toTokyo. Return of lands andpeople to the emperor.

Neesima graduates Amherst College, thenenters Andover Theological Seminary.
Neesima meets Mori Arinori, Japanese
Minister in Washington. A passport andpermission to study abroad is mailed to
Neesima by Mori Arinori.

Neesima is asked to help the Commissionerof Education in the Iwakura Embassy.
Neesima is asked to serve as an interpreterfor educational tours and visits various
places in the United States. Over the nextyear, Neesima visits Europe with Fujimaro
Tanaka.
Neesima returns to New York to resume his
studies at Andover Theological Seminary.

Neesima graduates from Andover
Theological Seminary. He gives an address
at the last day of the 65th Annual Meetingof the American Board of Commissioners
for Foreign Missions held in Rutland,
seeking support for the establishment of a
Christian college in Japan. The total amountof contributions including pledges（Rutland Fund) sums up to 5,000 dollars.

Haihan-chiken (abolition of
feudal domains andestablishment ofprefectures). Modern postal
service is established
The German Empire isfounded.
The School system is issued.
The railway between
Shinbashi and Yokohama is
opened.

Decree of Conscription
Ordinance. Abolition of thebulletin board banning
Christianity
An opinion paper on
establishing a democraticallyelected parliament ispresented.

1875(明治 8)

Neesima decides to buy the former site of
the residence of the Satsuma Domain for
550 dollars as the site of their school. On
November 29, Neesima opens Doshisha
Academy1876(明治 9)

Neesima marries Yamamoto Yae.
A. J.
Starkweather opens a school for girls.
On April 13, at the school's morning
assembly. the so-called “cane of selfpunishment” incident happens.
Neesima draws up the “Rules of Doshisha
Academy”. Neesima undertakes the
movement to raise the status of Doshisha
Academy to a university, drawing up "The
Reason for Establishing Doshisha Academy"and "Draft of the Aim in Establishing
Doshisha University"
Neesima publishes "The Philosophy inEstablishing Doshisha University" for the
movement to establish Doshisha University.
At the same time he writes “How Doshisha
was Established”.
Neesima departs from Kobe for the second
trip around America and Europe. He visits
Italy.
Neesima presents his autobiography “MyYounger Days” to Mr.Hardy.
Neesima’s father, Tamiji dies at the age of
81. A. Hardy dies of sepsis at the age of 71.
Neesima gives a speech at Rinkokaku in
Maebashi. Neesima’s stomachache worsens
at the inn. Neesima dictates his will to
Tokutomi Iichiro (Soho) in the presence of
Neesima Yae, Kozaki Hiromichi and
Tokutomi. Neesima dies of acuteperitonitis at the age of 46 years and 11
months. The funeral for Neesima is held at
the tent in front of the Doshisha Chapel.
After the funeral, students carry the bierand a banner in sleet to the top of Mount
Nyakuoji and bury him there.
The letters on the tombstone of Neesima
were written by Kaishu Katsu.

1880(明治 13)1882(明治 15)1883(明治 16)1884(明治 17)1885(明治 18)1887(明治 20)1890(明治 23)1891(明治 24)

The Imperial Rescript for theconstitutional system of thegovernment (Imperial
Rescript for gradual shift tothe constitutional system ofgovernment) is issued.
The law banning the wearingof swords. Seinan War.
The Alliance for Elected
Legislature is formed.

The cabinet system isinaugurated.
The act of the City, town,
and village is carried out.
The Constitution of the
Empire of Japan ispromulgated.
The first Imperial Diet
session is opened.

Imperial Rescript on
Education is issued.

Appendix

1 “Why I departed from Japan.”Originally written in English. The essay that Neesima (22 years old) handed to A. Hardy,
the owner of the Wild Rover, and his wife, after arriving in Boston. Neesima was in his second
year of studying English when he put all his energy into writing why he traveled to America inEnglish at the Sailor’s Home in Boston. Mr. and Mrs. Hardy were impressed by this essay anddecided to become Neesima’s guardians (foster parents).

I was born in a house of a prince [Itakura Katsuakira] in Yedo. My father[Niisima Tamiharu] was writing-master of the prince's house and his writer, and my
grandfather was an officer of whole, the prince's servant. I began to learn Japan, andChina too, from six years age, but at eleven years age my mind had changed quite tolearn sword-exercise and riding horse. At sixteen years age my desire was deepened
to learn China and cast away sword-exercise and other things.
But my prince picked me up to write his daily book, although it would nothave been my desire. I was obliged to go up his office one another day, and I mustteach small boys and girls too, instead my father at home. Therefore I could not getin China school to learn China, but I read every night at home.
A day my comrade lent me an atlas of United States of North America,
which was written with China letter by some American minister [E. C. Bridgman]. I
read it many times, and I was wondered so much as my brain would melted out frommy head, picking out President, Building, Free School, Poor House, House of
Correction, and machine-working, etc. And I thought that a governor of our country
must be as President of the United States. And I murmured myself that,‘O Governor of Japan! why you keep down us as a dog or a pig? We arepeople of Japan. If you govern us you must love us as your children.’
From that time I wished to learn American knowledge, but alas, I could not
get any teacher to learn it. Although I would not like to learn Holland, I was obliged
to learn it because many of my countrymen understood to read it. Every one
another day I went to my master's house to learn it.
Someday I had been in the prince's office and I got none to write at all.
Therefore I ran out from the office and went to my master's house. By and by myprince stepped into the office, wanting to see me; but he saw nobody there, and hestayed me until I came back into. When he saw me he beated me. 'Why you run out
from the office? I would not allowed you to run out from there.'After ten days I ran out from there again, but he would not know about it.
But alas! in the next time he found out again I ran out from the office, and he beated
me. 'Why you run out from here?' Then I answered to him that
'I wished to learn foreign knowledge,.......’
http://joseph.doshisha.ac.jp/ihinko/html/n04/n04010/n040101G.html

Appendix 2. “The Aim in Establishing Doshisha University”
November 1888 (Meiji 21)
One of the few statements of Neesima that were published in print. It clearly shows his
educational philosophy. To be precise, however, it is technically a collaborative work of Neesima(aged 45) who provided the materials and Tokutomi Iichiro (Soho, aged 25) who wrote the final
version. Neesima’s argument begins with the importance of a private university and moral
education and finishes with the importance of cultivating people who might be called “theconscience of the nation”.

My desire to establish a private university was no sudden whim, and for its
fulfillment I have already spent countless days of labor and struggle. At last my planis matured, and the time has come to appeal to the nation for their help. If I do nottake this opportunity I feel that the chance to realize my hopes would be lost
forever. So I am impelled to publish this statement of my aims for such a university,
together with some account of what has already been accomplished to this end.
Over twenty years ago, the feudal government, distressed by pressure fromabroad and unrest at home, was in its last days. At this time, with a burning desire to
go abroad to pursue my studies, I left my clan (Annaka) and made my way to
Hakodate. I defiance of the law forbidding our countrymen to leave Japan, I got
myself taken secretly aboard an American sailing vessel. This was on the night ofJune 14 (solar calendar July 17), 1864.
On the ship I was assigned to the hard tasks of an ordinary seaman, but
after about a year I reached Boston. There I was befriended by a generous citizen,with whose aid I entered Amherst College and later Andover Theological Seminary.
These studies occupied some ten years.
〔Education is the basis of civilization〕
During this time I made careful observations of American institutions, also I
sought out many leading citizens and listened to their arguments. Thus I learned that
American civilization was not the result of chance nor a sudden growth; it was
rather due to the education which had developed the country as a whole. Believing
thus that education was the chief factor in building up a nation, I decided to devote
my whole life to furthering this great enterprise.

In the fourth year of Meiji (1871) the late Tomomi Iwakura, as Envoy
Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, arrived in America with his party. One of
the members was *Fujimaro Tanaka, Minister of Education, who was on his way toinvestigate the educational systems of Europe and America. At that time I was
studying in Andover and was asked to accompany him on this mission. Together wevisited the most important schools in America, from primary grade to university.
Thence to Europe, visiting Germany, France, England, Switzerland, Holland, Denmarkand Russia. I carefully inspected their institutions of learning and whatever was inany way connected with furthering education.
Thus I became convinced that the civilization of Europe and America isbased on the education of the people. In addition came the belief that if my country
desires to rival Western civilization, it must do more than imitate their externalmaterial culture; it must seek to attain to what is essential and fundamental in theWest. As I pondered thus, I made a vow that on my return to Japan I would establish
a private university and so do my best for the advancement of my country.
〔Establishment of Doshisha Academy〕
In seventh year of Meiji (1874) as I was about to leave America for myhomeland, the *American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions was holding
its annual meeting (in *Rutland). Some three thousand men and women wereattending, including many of my friends. Since they had urged me to be present, I
was there also, and yielded to their request that I should say a few words offarewell. Then for the first time I gave utterance to the purpose which had been
taking shape in my mind. I said:
In my country today,......
http://joseph.doshisha.ac.jp/ihinko/html/n04/n04010/N0401001G.html

Appendix 3. Will (Excerpts)
January 21, 1890 (Meiji 23)
Following the will in English six years prior, Neesima dictated this will to Tokutomi
Iichiro (Soho) in Oiso two days before his death. It is mainly about Doshisha （especially the firstten points）, and the phrase “Tekito Fuki” is particularly well-known. In addition to this, he also
left a will individually to Okuma Shigenobu, Inoue Kaoru, Ito Hirobumi, Katsu Kaishu and others.
Points in Neesima's will, written down by Tokutomi Iichiro (Soho) and witnessed by Neesima
Yaeko, Kozaki Hiromichi and Tokutomi at 5:30 A. M. on the 21st (of January 1890 (Meiji 23)) :The object of Doshisha is the advancement of Christianity, Literature, andScience, and the furtherance of all education. These are to be pursued together as
mutually helpful. The object of the education given by Doshisha is not Theology,
Literature, or Science, in themselves; but that through these, men of great and living
power may be trained up for the service of true freedom and their country.
The trustees should deal wisely and kindly with the students.
The strong and impetuous (Tekiko Fuki) should not be harshly dealt with,
but according to their nature, so as to develop them into strong and useful men.
As the school grows larger there is danger that it will become more andmore mechanical. Let this be carefully guarded against.
I have no objection to the appointment of Mr. Kanamori Michitomo as mysuccessor〔President of Doshisha〕. He is an expert on administrative work and has
an incomparably brilliant mind. On the other hand, however, his weak point would bethat he is somewhat lacking the quality required for instructing and assisting others
as an educator, or tend to resort to petty tricks. I have a slight feeling of regret
about this.
Considering the recent circumstances, I believe that it is inevitable toestablish a school of law and politics and a school of economics in Tokyo.
Japanese teachers and......
http://joseph.doshisha.ac.jp/ihinko/html/n04/n04010/N0401001G.html

＜参考文献表＞

同志社大学社史資料センター「新島遺品庫」（同志社アーカイブス）
新島襄；新島襄全集編集委員会編『新島襄全集 1～10 巻』 同朋舎 1983～1996 年
J.D.デイヴィス『新島襄の生涯』 同志社大学出版部 1992 年
同志社編『新島襄 その時代と生涯』 晃洋書房 1993 年
現代語で読む新島襄編集委員会編『現代語で読む新島襄』 丸善 2000 年
本井康博『新島襄と建学精神』 同志社大学出版部 2005 年
同志社編『新島襄の手紙』 岩波文庫 2005 年
同志社編『新島襄 教育宗教論集』 岩波文庫 2010 年
同志社編『新島襄自伝』 岩波文庫 2013 年
和田洋一『新島襄』 岩波書店 2015 年
新島襄への扉編集委員会編『新島襄への扉』 日本基督教団出版局 2006 年
同志社大学編『新島襄検定 100 問』 らくたび文庫 2008 年
本井康博監修『マンガで読む新島襄』 同志社大学 2008 年
本井康博監修『続マンガで読む新島襄』 同志社大学 2010 年
同志社大学良心学研究センター編『新島襄 365』 同朋舎 2019 年
同志社大学良心学研究センター編『同志社精神を考えるために』 同朋舎 2023 年

1.

Birth Place of Neesima
He was born in an Annaka-Han Residence in Tokyo.

２. Neesima’s Father-Tamiji & Mother- Tomi
Neesima returned to Japan.

Both were baptised after

３．Manjirou Nakahama
A fisherman from Kochi who drifted away from Japan, but was saved by an American ship.

He thenstudied in the United States of American and taught at Naval Training Center when he came back.

４． Navigation route of ships (Kaifu-maru) in Japan
purchased from Holland and was used for training.

Kaifumaru was５．Kaifumaru
Neesima boarded on this ship twice before actually leaving for Hakodate.

６．Neesima’s notebook

He was working on Dutch studies.

７．An Atlas of the United States of North America

A book by which

Neesima was enormously influenced, and he was impressed with theirpresidential system.

８． Rev. Nicholai

He was against Neesima’s plan to go to the United States.

９. Hakodate Christ Orthodox Church
Photo of the current church building. Neesima met Nicholai in Hakodate.

10. Fukushi Unokichi

He worked for a trading company, and helped Neesima toleave for the United States.

11. Captain Savory of the Berlin He was asked to help Neesima
to leave for the United States of America. Later he was fired forthis action.

12．Costume at the time of departure from Japan
He wore this costume at the request of some Amerhst students.

13．Momument of Neesima’s Departure from Hakodate
With the help of Fukushi Unokichi, he boarded the Berlin.

14. The Wild Roverto Boston.

Departed from Shanghai and it took her for a whole year to get15. Captain Taylor
Captain of the Wild Rover. He gave Neesima a new name “Joe”.

16．Swords he took from Japan (Not replicas)

17．Alpheus & Suzan Hardy
Neesima’s mother and father in America. The owner of the Wild Rove r
The residence of the Hardy family on Beacon Street.

18．Johnson Chapel at Amherst College
The buildings on both sides are dormitories.

still displayed.

In the chapel, Neesima’s portrait is

In the middle are his notebooks for his classes.

19. Professor Julius Hawley Seelye at Amherst College.

20．North HallThis is the dormitory where Neesima lived.

21．W.J. Holland Neesima’s roomate at Amherst College.

22. Andover Theological Seminary
Next to the Phillips Academy in Andover.

23. Iwakura Delegates
Neesima worked as a translator, but he was not as obedient as the other Japanese
students.

24．Grace Church in Rutland
Here, Neesima made a farewell speech and asked for donations.

25. Kakuma Yamamoto
Consulate of Kyoto.

Yae’s brother.

He named the school Doshisha.

26. Doshisha English Academy
The first school building on the left. The building on the right is a dormitory.
started with prayer.

School27. Jerome D. Davis Came to Japan as a missionary. One of the first
two teachers at Doshisha.

28．The classroom for Bible Study-No30 Classroom They were prohibited fromstudying Bible at school. So Neesima bought this house for Bible studies.

29. Kumamoto Western School. Jane’s residence

30．Sticks for self-punishment

The original stick kept at Doshisha

31. Soho (Iichiro) Tokutomi
He came from Kumamoto Western school.
with Neesima for a long time.
museum Collection)

He quit Doshisha soon, but communicatedHe wrote Neesima’s will. ( Picture from Soho Tokutomi

32. The purpose of the foundation of Doshisha University
Neesima didn’t live until the college was approved.

33. The route of his second trip by ship (the bold line)34． Mukadeya hotel in Oiso, Kanagawa.

Neesima was busy asking for

donations all over Japan. He became ill and spent his last days here.

35. Joe & Yae Neesima
Jerome D. Davis conducted their wedding. This was the first Protestantmarriage ceremony in kyoto.

36. The picture of Neesima’s critical period

Soho Tokutomi wrote in

Neesima’s will what is important for Doshisha. (Picture from Doshisha Neesima archive)37. Katsu Kaishu
A very important Japanese figure in the Meiji Period.
without “self-interest.”

He called Neesima a person

38．Neesima’s grave
This stone is the second one, imported from Rutland,VA.USA.

39. Grave of Matsumoto Gohei
He was a janitor and wanted to be with Neesima even after his death.