Fukuzawa Yukichi Memorial Keio History Museum 2022 Fall Special Exhibition
“Fukuzawa Yukichi and Civil Resistance: 150 Years Since An Encouragement of Learning”

It has been 150 years since Fukuzawa Yukichi began publishing his collection of pamphlets known as “Gakumon no susume (An Encouragement of Learning)”. This book, its title, and opening lines have become classics in Japan. It went beyond inspiring people to realize the importance of learning. It spurred them on to act. This exhibition highlights one such case, the “Naganuma Affair,” an episode from history where a small village of people were inspired after reading An Encouragement of Learning. The villagers demonstrated their opposition to the government, not with force, but with words, persistently showing how they would, in the truest sense of the word, make their voices heard as members of their country. By examining these villagers and their interactions with each other, this exhibition will explore and consider the ideals described in Fukuzawa Yukichi’s works.

1. Basic overview

Dates: October 17 (Mon.)-December 17 (Sat.), 2022
　　　　Closed: Sundays, public holidays
Venue: Old University Library 2nd Floor, Temporary Exhibition Room, Keio History Museum
Open: 10:00-18:00
Admission: Open to all (we recommend that you reserve a spot in advance)
Details: https://history.keio.ac.jp/en/　
*Times may be subject to change according to the situation surrounding COVID-19 cases.
Please check the exhibition’s website for the latest information: https://history.keio.ac.jp/en/

2. Exhibition structure

  1. “An Encouragement of Learning” Enters the Scene
  2. “The One, the Only, Sakura Sogoro”
  3. The Breakout of the Naganuma Affair
  4. Fukuzawa Yukichi and Naganuma Village
  5. What the Naganuma Affair Left Behind

3. Featured items

  1. First edition of “Gakumon No Susume (An Encouragement of Learning)” (1872), Collection of the Fukuzawa Memorial Center for Modern Japanese Studies
  2. “Mita Enzetsu Nikki (Journal of Mita Speeches)” (1874), Collection of Mita Media Center (Keio University Library)
  3. A Scroll from Fukuzawa Yukichi to Naganuma Village (“Gatapishi-Nashi”), Collection of Keio Yokohama Elementary School
  4. A Map of Naganuma Lake (1708) Collection of Narita PublicLibrary
  5. A Painting of Villagers Fishing and Harvesting Algae in Naganuma Village of the Shimofusa Province (ca. 1882, partial) Collection of Narita Public Library
  6. Monument of “Independence and Self-Respect” Erected Outside the Toyosumi Elementary School in Narita City
  7. Draft of Response from Fukuzawa Yukichi to the Request of Naganuma Village (March, 1876), Collection of Fukuzawa Memorial Center for Modern Japanese Studies
1.First edition of “An Encouragement of Learning” (1872)
2.“Journal of Mita Speeches” (1874)
3.A Scroll from Fukuzawa Yukichi to Naganuma Village (“Gatapishi-Nashi”)
4.A Map of Naganuma Lake (1708)

5.A Painting of Villagers Fishing and Harvesting Algae in Naganuma Village of the Shimofusa Province (ca. 1882, partial)

6.Monument of “Independence and Self-
Respect” Erected Outside the Toyosumi Elementary School in Narita City
7.Draft of Response from Fukuzawa Yukichi to the Request of Naganuma Village (March 1876)

Fukuzawa Yukichi and Civil Resistance: 150 Years of An Encouragement of Learning
List of Works

4. Related Events

◆ Gallery Talk & Tour of the Mita Public Speaking Hall (Mita Enzetsu-kan)

Date & Time: 10:30 a.m. on November 8 (Tues.) and December 3 (Sat.).
Venues: University Library (Old Building) Exhibition Room,
　　　　　Mita Public Speaking Hall (Mita Enzetsu-kan)
How to attend: Available to the first 15 people who ask at the exhibition’s reception counter.
　　　　　　　　Reception opens at 10:00 a.m. on eligible days.
　　　　　　　　*Postponements may occur due to COVID-19.

5. Venue Access

Venue: Fukuzawa Yukichi Memorial Keio History Museum (“⑪” on the map provided below
　　　　 on the 2nd floor of the Old University Library)
Address: 2-15-45 Mita, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8345
Access:
8-minute walk from Tamachi Station (JR Yamanote Line/JR Keihin-Tohoku Line)
7-minute walk from Mita Station (Toei Subway Asakusa Line/Mita Line)
8-minute walk from Akabanebashi Station (Toei Subway Oedo Line)

*Please direct any requests or inquiries on press coverage to the contact information provided below in advance.

Inquiries regarding this press release:
Keio University Office of Communications and Public Relations (Contact person: Toyoda)
Tel. +81 (0)3-5427-1541
Fax +81 (0)3-5441-7640
Email: m-pr@adst.keio.ac.jp
https://www.keio.ac.jp/en/

6. Exhibition Catalogues

2022 Autumn Special Exhibition Catalogue
Fukuzawa Yukichi and Civil Resistance: 150 Years of An Encouragement of Learning

￥1100 (tax included)   A4, 68 pages
Purchase here

The catalogue for the Keio History Museum’s 2022 Autumn Special Exhibition, Fukuzawa Yukichi and Civil Resistance: 150 Years of An Encouragement of Learning (October 17—December 17, 2022).

This catalogue includes all materials displayed in the exhibition, with detailed, expanded item descriptions. Also included is a map of related historical sites and exclusive original content.

It has been 150 years since Fukuzawa Yukichi put the now-classic Gakumon no susume (An Encouragement of Learning) out into the world. This exhibition explores the ideals expressed in An Encouragement of Learning, as it unravels the struggles of one small village—the Naganuma Affair—and the courage Fukuzawa’s work inspired in the Naganuma Villagers.

Contents (excerpt)

1 The Debut of An Encouragement of Learning

2 “The Only Since Ancient Times, Sakura Sogoro”

3 The Outbreak of the Naganuma Affair

4 Fukuzawa Yukichi and the People of Naganuma

5 The Legacy of the Naganuma Affair

Related Historical Sites

Interview

A Tale to be Told: The Naganuma Affair, Ogawa Fujio

Essays

Naganuma and I, Kato Mitsuaki

Considering the Naganuma Affair in Legal History, Shiraishi Daiki

What did Ogawa Buhei Read? Gakumon no susume and the Naganuma Affair, Tokura Takeyuki

Chronology of Events Related to Naganuma

Exhibited Items List

Preview: