Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
(b)
(27) Japanese and Chinese styles of writing. Both these inscriptions read the same—
Fuji-
wara Mitsushige hitsu
“drawnbyFujiwaraMitsushige”—but(a)isintheflowingJapanese
style, and (b) in the square Chinese style.
Most domains had schools attached to them, attended by all except the sons of top-
ranking
samurai,
suchas
daimyō,
andoftheShogunhimself;forthemprivateteachingwas
provided. The organization of schools varied from place to place, and, in some, attendance
was compulsory, but usually it was not. Education could start at the age of six, and could
goon,inthecaseofgiftedstudents,tothethirties,bywhichagetheywouldbedoingsome
teaching of younger boys. Most of the instruction, however, was by professional teachers.
Thegeneralpatternwasthattheboyshadshortsessionsofindividualinstructionortesting,
with longer periods for practice and preparation. One factor operating here was the desire
to avoid lowering a pupil's dignity—making him lose face—in the presence of his com-
rades, who might, in any case, be of inferior status. There was also a program of lectures
on general matters. Although there was a system of examinations, with prizes for the suc-
cessful, care was taken not to encourage competition, which was considered undesirable in
persons who were to live in a strictly regulated class society. In fact, it might not be un-
