National Republican., 1883-03-28
EpUCATtoN IN JAPAN.
An Interesting Exhibit OF the Old and
New Methods OF japanese Teaching.

New Methods OF Japanese Teaching.
Among the treasures Of the bureau of odu-
cation is an exhibit of Japanese educational
progress. This exhibit is specially valuable
in giving the old methods of teaching in con-
trast with tho new and as marking the faoil-
ity with which the japanese intellect Crap
pies with the scientific truths of the most
advanced civilization. The history of this
exhibit is rather an interesting one
When the first embassy Of Japanese came
to this country they called on the com
missioner and made inquiries into the
workings of his department Not satisfied
with examining the department itself they
came day after day propounding questions
which showed not only deep interest in tho
matter, but u most intelligent conception Of
the merits and the Importance of the Amer
lean educational system. The information
they received was carefully digested and sent
back to Japan, and the prominent part the
educational business had played in tho very
extraordinary social and political revolution
which the country went through was shown
in the exhibit sent to tho centennial. At the
close of the latter the japanese authorities
begged the acceptance of this exhibit by the
bureau Of education. Tho old faihioned
school house in japan, as illustrated by a
painting, was q bare room with no desk but
the low stand in front of the teacaer and
another on his side to place books on. The
teacher squatted on the floor. Sc did the
pupils. The teacher read aloud, and the
pupils repeated after him. To memorizo was
the alpha and omega Of Japanese school in
struction.
The new fashioned school house in Japan,
as illustrated by drawings and engravmgs, is
generally hansome building, often temple
whose worship has ceased and whose devotees
are dead. The teacher has u desk modelled
after the American style, placed on platform
and garnished like the New England precep-
tors. The desks and seats of the pupils are
fashioned after the same pattern.
In Japan they write with brush instead of
a pen, and make their ink by trituratipg hard
paints against prepared stone. The ineradi-
cable instinct of the people to draw explains
the universal use of the brush, and their con-
slant practice from time immemorial gives the
secret of their wonderful skill with ondor.
In the exhibit are specimens Of machinery,
surgical and mathematical tools, edu cational
appliances, and various kinds of mechanism
required by modern sciences. There are
Japanese copies from Occidental models. But
they are not slavish imitators merely. Their
intelligence is shown in the frequency with
which they adapt their own original devices
to American machines, always impro wing on
the model. Among others is school globe.
This is a wire frame covered with linen, on
which is painted the natural objeohs to be
studied. The destruction of this globe does
not involve the great outlay for new one
which our costly globes would make necessary
in the event Of destruction. Again, they
adapt an angle measure to a spirit or water
level, thus killing two birds with one stone.
In the exhibit is amodel Of Japanese house.
This has become disarranged, and no native
mechanic has been found skillful enough to
mend it.
In the narrow limits of two small rooms are
thus shown the progress of centuries which
really was consummated in a few years. Yes
terday the feudalism OF the Daimo ragime ex-
hibits its medieval tendencies, usages, and
spirit; to-day the same actors are manifesting
the temper and tho tastes, and exhibiting
thorough familiarity with the customs Of the
present age.
The exhibit is complete in every respect,
and is one Of the most interesting aud sug-
gestive collections ever prepared by man..