Sacramento daily record-union., 1883-09-08
EDUCATION IN JAPAN.

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.
The history Of this exhibit Is rather an
interesting one. When the first Embassy
of Japanese came to this country they
called on the Commissioner and made in
quiries INTO the working Of his department.
Not satisfied with examining the depart
ment itself, they came day after day, pro-
pounding questions which showed not only
a deep interest in the matter, but a most
intelligent conception Of the merits and
the Importance of the American educa-
tional system. The information they re-
ceived was carefully digested and sent back
to Japan, and the prominent part the edu-
catioral business had played in the
very extraordinary social and polit-
ical revolution which tine country went
through was shown in the exhibit sent to
the Centennial. AT the close OF the latter
the Japanese authorities begged the accept
ance of this exhibit by the Bureau of Edu-
cation. The old.fashioned school.house in
Japan, as illustrated by painting, was a
bare room with no desk but the low stand
in front of the teacher and another on his
side to place books on. The teacher squat
ted On the floor. So did the pupils. The
teacher read aloud, and the pupils repeated
after him. To memorizs was the alpha and
omega of Japanese school instruction. The
new-fashioned school. house IN Japan, as
hNrd n 4 -, 10
generally a handsome building, often a
temple whose worship has ceased and whose
devotees are dead. The teacher has a desk
modelled after the American style, placed on
platform, and galnished ike the New
England preceptnrs. The desks and seats
of the pupils are fashioned sitter the same
pattern. In japan they write with a
brush instead of pen, and make their ink
by triturating harG paints against pre-
pared stone. The inerHdicahie instinct Of
the people TO draw explains the universal
use of the brush, and their constant prac-
tice from time immemorial gives the secret
of their wonderful skill with color. In
the exhibit are specimens OF machinery,
surgical and mathematical tools, educa-
tional appliances, and various kinds of
mechanism required by modern sciences.
There are japanese copies Of Occidental
models; but they are not slavish imitators
merely. Their intelligence is shown in the
frequency with which they adapt thsir own
original devices to American machines, al.
ways improving on the model. Among
others is school globe, This IS wire frame
covered with linen, on which is painted
the natural objects to be studied. The
destruction of this globe does not involve
the great outlay for a 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 a model of Japanese house.
This has become disarranged, and no ma
tive 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 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 snd exhibiting
thorough familiarity with the customs of
the age. The exhibit is complete in every
respect, and is one of the most interesting
and suggestive collections everprepared by
man. Nationil Republican.