Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-04-04
EDUCATION IN JAPAN.
IN Interesting Exhibit of the Old and Ne,U
Methods OF Japanese Teaching.
National Republican.

IN Interesting Exhibit of the Old and NetU
Methods OF japanese Teaching.
National Republican,.
Among the treasures of the bureau of
education is an exhibit of Japanese educa-
tional progress. This exhibit is especially
valuable in giving the old methods of
teaching in contrast with the new, and as
marking the facility with which the Japan
ese intellect grapples with the scientific
truths of the most advanced civilization.
Vhe history of this interesting exhibit is
rather an interesting one. When the first
embassy of Japanese came to this country
they called on the commissioner and made
inquiries into the workings of his depart
ment. Not satisfied with examining the
department itself they came day after day
propounding questions which showed not
only deep interest in the matter, but a
most intelligent conception of the merits
and the importance of the American
educational system. The information
they received was carefully digested and
sent back to Japan, and the prominent
part the educational business had played
in the very extraordinary social and politi-
cal revolution which the country went
the centennial. At the close of the latter
the japanese authorities begged the &C.
ceptance of this exhibit by the bureau of
education. The old fashioned school house
in Japan, as illustrated by a painting, was
bare room with no desk but the low
stand in front of the teacher and another
on his side to place books on. The teach
er squatted on the floor. So did the pupils.
The teacher read aloud, and the pupils re-
peated after him, To memorize was the
alpha and omega of Japanese school in
struction.
The new fashioned schoollhouse in ia
pan, as illustrated by drawings and en-
cravings, is generally handsome build
ing, often temple whose worship has
ceased and whose devotees are dead.
The teacher has desk modelled after the
American style, placed on a 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 triturating
hard paints against a prepared stone.
The ineradiacble instinct of the people to
draw explains the universal use of the
brush, and their constant practice from
time immemorial gives the secret of their
wonderful skill with color. In the exhibit
are specimens of machinery, surgical and
mathematical tools, educational 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 thei own original devices
to American machines, always improving
| on the model. Among others is a school
globe. This is u wire frame covered with
linen, on which is painted the natural OBJ
iects TO be studied. The destruction of
this globe does not involve the great out
lay for new one which our costly globes
would make nessary in the event of de-
struction. Again, they adapt an angle
measure TO spirit or water level, thus
killing two birds with one stone. In the
exhibit is model of Japanese house.
This has become disarranged ard no,
native mechanic has been found skillful
enough TO mend it. In the narrow limits
of two small rooms arc thus shown the
| progress OF centuries which really was con-
summated In few years. Yesterday the
feudalism of the daimio regime exhibits
| its medieval tendencies, usages and spirit
! to-day the same actors are manifesting
the temper and the 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 and suggestive collection ever
prepared by man.