In the fourth year of Meiji (1871) the late Tomomi Iwakura, as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, arrived in America with his party. One of the members was *Fujimaro Tanaka, Minister of Education, who was on his way to investigate the educational systems of Europe and America. At that time I was studying in Andover and was asked to accompany him on this mission. Together we visited the most important schools in America, from primary grade to university. Thence to Europe, visiting Germany, France, England, Switzerland, Holland, Denmark and Russia. I carefully inspected their institutions of learning and whatever was in any way connected with furthering education. Thus I became convinced that the civilization of Europe and America is based on the education of the people. In addition came the belief that if my country desires to rival Western civilization, it must do more than imitate their external material culture; it must seek to attain to what is essential and fundamental in the West. As I pondered thus, I made a vow that on my return to Japan I would establish a private university and so do my best for the advancement of my country. 〔Establishment of Doshisha Academy〕 In seventh year of Meiji (1874) as I was about to leave America for my homeland, the *American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions was holding its annual meeting (in *Rutland). Some three thousand men and women were attending, including many of my friends. Since they had urged me to be present, I was there also, and yielded to their request that I should say a few words of farewell. Then for the first time I gave utterance to the purpose which had been taking shape in my mind. I said: In my country today,...... http://joseph.doshisha.ac.jp/ihinko/html/n04/n04010/N0401001G.html
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