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Top 10 Amazing Facts about Fukuzawa Yukichi

Portrait of Fukuzawa Yukichi (福沢諭吉, 1835 – 1901).

He was born on January 10, 1835. He was born into a samurai family of the Okudaira clan of Nakatsu.

The family of Fukuzawa was poor after his father died. His father was a Confucian scholar.

They were living in Osaka, the main trading centre of japan. Fukuzawa was a Japanese author, educator, publisher, writer, journalist, teacher, translator and leader.

He was the founder of the Keio University, Jiji-shape and the institute for the study of infectious diseases. Fukuzawa was referred to as the most influential man outside government service in japan during the Restoration of the Meiji in 1868.

This was following the overthrowing of the Tokugawa Shogunate. He appears on the current 10,000-Japanese yen banknote.

These are the ten amazing facts about Fukuzawa Yukichi:

1. Fukuzawa Studied Dutch in Nagasaki

Fukuzawa Yukichi. The photograph was taken during his trip to 麻豆APP in 1862.

Fukuzawa studied Han learning at the age of 5.

He accomplished studying major writings such as Analects, Zuo Zhuan, Tao Te ching and Zhuangi at the age of 14.

Fukuzawa went to Nagasaki where he was invited by his brother. His main visit to Nagasaki was to study Dutch. He studied the Dutch language to study European cannon designs and gunnery.

Fukuzawa later enrolled at the Tekijuku school which was being run by physician and Rangaku scholar Ogata koan. He studied at Tekijuku for three years and he become fully proficient in the Dutch language.

2. He was Born in a Poor Background

Fukuzawa was born and brought up in an impoverished family. Bid’s family was a poor Samurai, the family of the Okudaira Clan of Nakatsu.

His father was a Confucian scholar. However, his father died and this contributed to their poor status. Osaka, the main trading centre for Japan is where they lived.

Due to his family status, Fukuzawa educated himself.

3. He Published the English-Japanese Dictionary

Fukuzawa published the English Japanese Dictionary in 1860. This was his first publication and was the beginning of the series of his other books.

The English-Japanese dictionary was translated from the English-Chinese Dictionary, which he bought from San Francisco in 1860.

4. He was a Teacher of Dutch

After he studied Dutch, Fukuzawa was appointed to be the official Dutch teacher in 1858. He taught the Dutch language in Nakatsu, later he was sent to Edo to teach the family’s vassals.

5. Fukuzawa was an Advocate for Women’s Rights

Fukuzawa was an advocate for women’s rights. He encouraged equality between husbands and wives.

Fukuzawa also said that girls should be given the same education as boys. He also urged all parents to give equal love to daughters and sons.

He was also against harmful practices such as women not owning property in their name. However, according to his book in 1899, New Greater Learning for Women, it is well clear that Fukuzawa was against full rights for women.

In his book, he argued that a good marriage is the best outcome for young women. And according to some of his letters, he cautioned his friends from sending their daughters to pursue higher education.

His reasons for them not sending their daughters to pursue higher education was that they will not more desirable for marriage.

6. Fukuzawa’s Theory of Civilization

Fukuzawa published Bunmeiron no Gairyaku in 1875. This is an outline of a Theory of civilization which talked more about civilization.

Fukuzawa argued that civilization was relative to time, circumstance and other contemporary civilizations. Fukuzawa gave an example whereby China was relatively civilized compared to some of the African colonies.

He perceived European nations were the most civilized. He convinced people to move towards civilization.

Fukuzawa meant that human life should be elevated to a higher plane by improving their basic material well-being and spiritual well-being.

Fukuzawa argued that if people examined civilization, they could find a solution to most of the problems in their lives. They could also understand their present situations.

He also stated the difference between the poor and the rich was the difference in knowledge and education. He challenged Japan by saying that the government should not only be importing new guns.

But they should also take a chance of imparting knowledge to educate people.

7. He was the Founder of Keio University

Fukuzawa Yukichi, by Kawamura Kiyoko, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan.

In 1868, Fukuzawa changed the name of the school that he had discovered to teach Dutch to Keio Gijuki. Fukuzawa was mostly interested in education for his people thus he expanded the Keio Gijuku to a university in 1980.

The university became one of Japan’s most prestigious universities. The university was the first to be independent of the government and it produced many leaders in Japan.

Fukuzawa also introduced public speaking to the education curriculum.

8. His Textbook Sekai Kunizukushu was used as an Official School Textbook

In 1869, he wrote a textbook known as Sekai Kunizukushu, All the countries of the world. This book was meant for children.

The book became one of the best-selling and it was officially introduced as a school textbook in Japan. He was inspired to write the book when he tried to teach his sons’ world geography but he lacked textbooks on the subject.

Fukuzawa bought Japanese geography books for his children and thought them how to read. He wrote Sekai Kunizukushu in six volumes following the rhythm of the textbooks he bought.

The first volume was about Asia, second Africa, the third Europe, fourth South America, and the fifth both North America and Australia. The sixth volume was an appendix that gave an introduction to world geography.

9. Fukuzawa Published 17 Volumes of Gakumon no Susume

Between 1872 and 1876, he published the 17 volumes of Gakumon no susume. This means encouragement of learning.

In this writing, he outlined why people should understand the principle of equality of opportunity. He also outlined that studying was the key to greatness.

Fukuzawa also advocated for the principle of national independence through personal independence. He said that if individuals were independent, they will not depend on someone’s strength.

With that, Fukuzawa aimed to instil a sense of individual strength. Through personal strength, the people of Japan would be able to build a nation to rival all others.

According to his understanding, he argued that western countries were more powerful than other countries due to education, independence, competition and the exchange of ideas.

10. He Suffered a Stroke

Yukichi Fukuzawa’s former residence, Nakatsu, Oita, Japan.

He died in February 1901 after suffering a stroke on January 25 1901.

Lastly, Fukuzawa is remembered as one of the heroes who motivated the Japanese to accept change through his knowledge of western political theory.

His former home in the city of Nakatsu is nationally preserved as a Cultural Asset.