Terakoya is a typical educational institution in Japan in the nineteenth century and it was originated from temple secular educations in Middle Ages.Terakoyaturned into an individual educational institution in Edo Period,and became well-known all over the country rapidly.As a traditional educational institution originated in the Feudal Society,Terakoya had two important transitions in the middle of the 19 th century,which lasted for over half a century.The first transition started in 1854 and ended in 1871.Being influenced by the western culture at the very beginning,Terakoya learnt a lot from western primary schools in its teaching organization,teaching methods as well as teaching materials,this transition was considered as a spontaneous,voluntary,scattered and slow one as well as no the forcible intervention from the government.The second transition lasted started with the promulgation of “Educational System” in1872 and ended in the end of Meiji Period.To set up a morden educational instiution,it was required in Education System that private education institution like Terakoya should be abolished and new primary school should be set up.Due to the limited financial resources,the government decided to achieve this aim by changing the traditional educational institution,such as Terakoya.During Meiji Period,most of the Terakoya was first changed into private schools,then into modern primary schools.Compared with the first transition,the second one developed faster,the government offered more intervention,which did great contribution to the real transition of the educational institution.In the end of Meiji Period,most transitions of Terakoya were finished,only a few are kept until the beginning of Taisho Period.This article aims to show a complete development of the Terakoya education from the Edo Period to late Meiji Period by offering a detailed historical analysis of the cause,the basis,the process as well as the characteristics.It will be my great honor if people can get some useful inspirations and reference from it. |