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{{Short description|Japanese author, teacher, and entrepreneur (1835–1901)}}
{{Refimprove|date=January 2013}}
{{Japanese name|Fukuzawa}} {{family name hatnote|Fukuzawa|lang=Japanese}}
{{additional citations|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox person {{Infobox person
|name=Fukuzawa Yukichi | name = Fukuzawa Yukichi<br>{{nobold|福澤諭吉}}
|image=FukuzawaYukichi.jpg | image = Fukuzawa Yukichi 1891.jpg
|image_size=200px | image_size =
| caption = Fukuzawa in 1891
|caption=Fukuzawa Yukichi<br />] in Paris, 1862.
|birth_date={{birth-date|January 10 1835|January 10 1835 }} | birth_date = {{Birth date|1835|01|10}}
|death_date={{death-date|February 3 1901|February 3 1901 }} (aged 66) | death_date = {{Death date and age|1901|02|03|1835|01|10}}
|birth_place= Nakacheu, ], ] | birth_place = ], ], ]
|death_place= ], Japan | death_place = ], ]
|other_names = 子圍, 三十一谷人 | other_names = Shi-I (子圍)<br />Sanjyū-ikkoku-jin (三十一谷人)
| spouse = Kin Toki
}} }}

{{nihongo|'''Fukuzawa Yukichi'''|福澤 諭吉|extra=January 10, 1835 – February 3, 1901}} was a ] author, ] writer, teacher, ], ] and ] who founded ], the newspaper ''Jiji-Shinpo'' and the ]. He was an early ]ese civil rights activist and liberal ideologist. His ideas about government and social institutions made a lasting impression on a rapidly changing ] during the ]. He is regarded as one of the founders of modern Japan. He is called a Japanese ].
{{nihongo|'''Fukuzawa Yukichi'''|福澤 諭吉|extra=January 10, 1835 – February 3, 1901}} was a Japanese educator, philosopher, writer, entrepreneur and ] who founded ], the newspaper ''{{ill|Jiji-Shinpō|jp|時事新報|vertical-align=sup}}'', and the ].

Fukuzawa was an early advocate for reform in ]. His ideas about the organization of government and the structure of social institutions made a lasting impression on a rapidly changing Japan during the ]. He appears on the 10,000-] banknote from 1984 to 2024, replacing ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Security Features of Bank of Japan Notes- 10,000 yen Note (Shotoku Taishi), 5,000 yen Note (Shotoku Taishi), 1,000 yen Note (Hirobumi Ito) and 500 yen Note (Tomomi Iwakura) - : 日本銀行 Bank of Japan |url=https://www.boj.or.jp/en/note_tfjgs/note/security/gizoc.htm |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=Bank of Japan |language=en}}</ref>


== Early life == == Early life ==
] ] warehouse-mansion, in ], ]]]
Fukuzawa Yukichi was born into an impoverished low-ranking ] family of the Okudaira Clan of ] (now ], ]) in 1835. His family lived in Osaka, the main trading center for Japan at the time.<ref name="unesco">{{Harvtxt|Nishikawa|1993}}</ref> His family was poor following the early death of his father, who was also a Confucian scholar. At the age of 5 he started ], and by the time he turned 14 had studied major writings such as the '']'', '']'', '']'' and '']''.{{cn|date=January 2014}} Fukuzawa was greatly influenced by his lifelong teacher, Shōzan Shiraishi, who was a scholar of ] and ]. When he turned 19 in 1854, shortly after Commodore ]'s arrival in Japan, Fukuzawa's brother (the family patriarch) asked Yukichi to travel to ], where the ] colony at ] was located, in order to enter a school of Dutch studies ''(]). '' He instructed Yukichi to learn ] so that he might study European cannon designs and gunnery. Fukuzawa Yukichi was born into an impoverished low-ranking ] (military nobility) family of the Okudaira Clan of ] (present-day ], ]) in 1835. His family lived in ], the main trading center for Japan at the time.<ref name="unesco">{{Harvtxt|Nishikawa|1993}}</ref> His family was poor following the early death of his father, who was also a ] scholar. At the age of 5 he started ], and by the time he turned 14, he had studied major writings such as the '']'', '']'', '']'' and '']''.<ref name=":0" /> Fukuzawa was greatly influenced by his lifelong teacher, Shōzan Shiraishi, who was a scholar of ] and ]. Yukichi turned 19 in 1854, shortly after the ]'s arrival in Japan marking the beginning of the opening of Japan to trade via ]. As the family patriarch Fukuzawa's brother asked him to travel to ], where the ] colony at ] was located, in order to enter a school of Dutch studies ''(]).'' He instructed Yukichi to learn ] so that he might study European cannon designs and ]nery.

]'', members of the ]. Fukuzawa Yukichi sits on the right.]]

]


Fukuzawa’s early life consisted of the dull and backbreaking work typical of a lower-level samurai in Japan during the ].<ref name=":0" /> Although Fukuzawa did travel to Nagasaki, his stay was brief as he quickly began to outshine his host in Nagasaki, Okudaira Iki. Okudaira planned to get rid of Fukuzawa by writing a letter saying that Fukuzawa's mother was ill. Seeing through the fake letter, Fukuzawa planned to travel to ] and continue his studies there, since he would be unable to do so in his home domain of ]. However, upon his return to Osaka, his brother persuaded him to stay and enroll at the ] school run by physician and ''rangaku'' scholar ].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Fukuzawa Yukichi : from samurai to capitalist|last=Hopper|first=Helen M.|date=2005|publisher=Pearson/Longman|isbn=978-0321078025|location=New York|oclc=54694712}}</ref> Fukuzawa studied at Tekijuku for three years and became fully proficient in the Dutch language. In 1858, he was appointed the official Dutch teacher of ], and was sent to Edo to teach the family's ] there.
]'', members of the ]. Fukuzawa Yukichi sits on the right.]]
]
Although Fukuzawa did travel to Nagasaki, his stay was brief as he quickly began to outshine his host in Nagasaki, Okudaira Iki. Okudaira planned to get rid of Fukuzawa by writing a letter saying that Fukuzawa's mother was ill. Seeing through the fake letter Fukuzawa planned to travel to ] and continue his studies there because he knew he would not be able to in his home domain, ], but upon his return to Osaka, his brother persuaded him to stay and enroll at the ] school run by physician and ''rangaku'' scholar ]. Fukuzawa studied at Tekijuku for three years and became fully proficient in the Dutch language. In 1858, he was appointed official Dutch teacher of his family's domain, ], and was sent to Edo to teach the family's vassals there.


The following year, Japan opened up three of its ports to American and European ships, and Fukuzawa, intrigued with ], traveled to ] to see them. When he arrived, he discovered that virtually all of the European merchants there were speaking ] rather than Dutch. He then began to study English, but at that time, English-Japanese interpreters were rare and dictionaries nonexistent, so his studies were slow. The following year, Japan opened up three of its ports to American and European ships, and Fukuzawa, intrigued with ], traveled to ] to see them. When he arrived, he discovered that virtually all of the European merchants there were speaking ] rather than Dutch. He then began to study English, but at that time, English-Japanese interpreters were rare and dictionaries nonexistent, so his studies were slow.


In 1859, the ] sent ]. Fukuzawa volunteered his services to Admiral ]. Kimura's ship, the ], arrived in ] in 1860. The delegation stayed in the city for a month, during which time Fukuzawa had himself photographed with an American girl, and also found a ], from which he began serious study of the English language. In 1859, the ] sent ]. Fukuzawa volunteered his services to Admiral ]. Kimura's ship, the ], arrived in ], in 1860. The delegation stayed in the city for a month, during which time Fukuzawa had himself photographed with an American girl, and also found a '']'', from which he began serious study of the English language.


== Political movements == == Political movements ==
]. (Washington shipyard).]] ] (Washington shipyard).]]
Upon his return in 1860, Fukuzawa became an official translator for the ]. Shortly thereafter he brought out his first publication, an English-Japanese ] which he called "Kaei Tsūgo" (translated from a ]-English dictionary) which was a beginning for his series of later books. In 1862, he visited ] as one of the two English translators in bakufu's 40-man embassy, the ]. During its year in Europe, the Embassy conducted ]s with ], ], the ], ], and finally ]. In Russia, the embassy unsuccessfully negotiated for the southern end of ] (in Japanese ]). ] as part of the ], 1862]]
Upon his return in 1860, Fukuzawa became an official translator for the ]. Shortly afterwards he brought out his first publication, an English-Japanese ] which he called "Kaei Tsūgo" (translated from a ]-English dictionary) which was a beginning for his series of later books. In 1862, he visited ] as one of the two English translators in the ]. During its year in Europe, the Embassy conducted ]s with ], ], the ], ], and finally ]. In Russia, the embassy attempted unsuccessfully to negotiate for the southern end of ] (in Japanese ]), a long-standing source of dispute between the two countries.


The information collected during these travels resulted in his famous work ''Seiyō Jijō'' ({{lang|ja|西洋事情}}, "Things western"), which he published in ten volumes in 1867, 1868 and 1870. The books describe western culture and institutions in simple, easy to understand terms, and they became immediate best-sellers. Fukuzawa was soon regarded as the foremost expert on all things western, leading him to conclude that his mission in life was to educate his countrymen in new ways of thinking in order to enable Japan to resist European ]. The information collected during these travels resulted in his famous work ''{{ill|Seiyō Jijō|jp|西洋事情|vertical-align=sup}}'' ({{lang|ja|西洋事情}}, {{Wikidata fallback link|Q11629016}}), which he published in ten volumes in 1867, 1868 and 1870. The books describe western culture and institutions in simple, easy to understand terms, and they became immediate best-sellers. Fukuzawa was soon regarded as the foremost expert on western civilization, leading him to conclude that his mission in life was to educate his countrymen in new ways of thinking in order to enable Japan to resist European ].{{cn|date=May 2021}}


In 1868 he changed the name of the school he had established to teach Dutch to ], and from then on devoted all his time to education. While Keiō's initial identity was that of a private school of Western studies (Keio-gijuku), it expanded and established its first university faculty in 1890. Under the name ], it became a leader in Japanese higher education. In 1868 he changed the name of the school he had established to teach Dutch to ], and from then on devoted all his time to education. He also added ] to the educational system's curriculum.<ref name=":0" /> While Keiō's initial identity was that of a private school of Western studies (Keio-gijuku), it expanded and established its first university faculty in 1890. Under the name ], it became a leader in Japanese higher education.


Fukuzawa was also a strong advocate for ]. He often spoke up in favor of equality between husbands and wives, the education of girls as well as boys, and the equal love of daughters and sons. At the same time, he called attention to harmful practices such as women’s inability to own property in their own name and the familial distress that took place when married men took mistresses. However, even Fukuzawa was not willing to propose completely equal rights for men and women; only for husbands and wives. He also stated in his 1899 book ''New Greater Learning for Women'' that a good marriage was always the best outcome for a young woman, and according to some of Fukuzawa's personal letters, he discouraged his friends from sending their daughters on to higher education so that they would not become less desirable marriage candidates.<ref name=":0" /> While some of Yukichi’s other proposed reforms, such as education reforms, found an eager audience, his ideas about women received a less enthusiastic reception.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}}
In 1901, Fukuzawa Yukichi was buried at ], in the ] area of Tokyo. Alumni of Keio-Gijuku University hold a ceremony there every year on February 3.

== Death ==
After suffering a stroke on January 25, 1901, Fukuzawa Yukichi died on February 3. He was buried at ], in the ] area of Tokyo.<ref name=":0" /> Alumni of Keio-Gijuku University hold a ceremony there every year on February 3.


== Works == == Works ==
Fukuzawa's writings may have been the foremost of the ] and ]. Fukuzawa's writings may have been the foremost of the ] and ]. They played a large role in the introduction of Western culture into Japan.

=== ''English-Japanese Dictionary'' ===
In 1860, he published ''English-Japanese Dictionary'' ("Zōtei Kaei Tsūgo"). It was his first publication. He bought ''English-Chinese Dictionary'' ("Kaei Tsūgo") in San Francisco in 1860. He translated it to Japanese and he added the Japanese translations to the original textbook. In his book, he invented the new ] VU ({{lang|ja|ヴ}}) to represent the pronunciation of VU, and VA ({{lang|ja|ヷ}}) to represent the pronunciation of VA. For example, the name ] is written as {{lang|ja|ベートー'''ヴ'''ェン}} in modern Japanese.


=== ''All the Countries of the World, for Children Written in Verse'' ===
=== English-Japanese dictionary ===
His famous textbook ''Sekai Kunizukushi'' ("All the Countries of the World, for Children Written in Verse", 1869) became a best seller and was used as an official school textbook. His inspiration for writing the books came when he tried to teach world geography to his sons. At the time there were no textbooks on the subject, so he decided to write one himself. He started by buying a few Japanese geography books for children, named ''Miyakoji'' ("City roads") and ''Edo hōgaku'' ("Tokyo maps"), and practiced reading them aloud. He then wrote ''Sekai Kunizukushi'' in six volumes in the same lyrical style. The first volume covered Asia, the second Africa, the third Europe, the fourth South America, and the fifth both North America and Australia. The sixth volume was an appendix that gave an introduction to world geography.
On 1860, he published ''English-Japanese dictionary'' ("Zōtei Kaei Tsūgo"). It was his first publication. He bought ''English-Chinese dictionary'' ("Kaei Tsūgo") at San Francisco on 1860. He translated it to Japanese and he added the Japanese translations to the original textbook. In his book, he invented the new Japanese characters VU ({{lang|ja|ヴ}}) to represent the pronunciation of VU and VA ({{lang|ja|ヷ}}) to represent the pronunciation of VA. For example, the name ] is written by {{lang|ja|ベートー'''ヴ'''ェン}} in Japanese now.


=== ''An Encouragement of Learning'' ===
=== All the countries of the world, for children written in verse ===
" (1872), written by Fukuzawa Yukichi and Obata Tokujirō]]
His famous textbook ''Sekai Kunizukushi'' ("All the countries of the world, for children written in verse", 1869) became a best seller and was used as an official school textbook. His inspiration for writing the books came when he tried to teach world geography to his sons. At the time there were no textbooks on the subject, so he decided to write one himself. He started by buying a few Japanese geography books for children, named ''Miyakoji'' ("City roads") and ''Edo hōgaku'' ("Tokyo maps"), and practiced reading them aloud. He then wrote ''Sekai Kunizukushi'' in six volumes in the same lyrical style. The first volume covered Asian countries, the second volume detailed African countries, European countries were discussed in the third, South American countries in the fourth, and North American countries and Australia in the fifth. Finally, the sixth volume was an appendix that gave an introduction to world geography.


Influenced by the 1835 and 1856 editions of ''Elements of Moral Science'' by ] President ],<ref>{{Cite book |last=森田 |first=康夫 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8vWxAAAAIAAJ |title=福沢諭吉と大坂 |date=1996 |publisher=和泉書院 |isbn=978-4-87088-820-3 |pages=126 |language=ja |quote=ウェーランドの『モラル・サイヤンス』( F.Wayland : The Element of Moral Science)の影響は、その意味からも福沢思想にとって決定的意義をもっていた。}}</ref> from 1872-76 Fukuzawa published 17 volumes of ''Gakumon no Susume'' ({{lang|ja|学問のすすめ}}, {{Wikidata fallback link|Q11448137}} or more idiomatically "On Studying"<ref>{{Harvtxt|Dilworth|2012}}</ref>). Through these writings, Fukuzawa develops his views on the importance of equality of opportunity as a principle, explores his understanding of the principle, and stresses that education is the key to taking best advantage of
=== An Encouragement of Learning ===
the principle and achieving greatness.{{fact| date= November 2021}} For these reasons, he was an avid supporter of public schools and believed in a firm mental foundation through learning and studiousness.{{fact| date= November 2021}} Fukuzawa also advocated in these writings his most lasting motto, "national independence through personal independence."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Métraux |first=Daniel A. |year=2011 |title=Democratic Trends in Meiji Japan |url=https://www.asianstudies.org/publications/eaa/archives/democratic-trends-in-meiji-japan/ |access-date=2024-01-12 |website=Association for Asian Studies |language=en-US}}</ref> By creating a self-determining social morality for a Japan still reeling from both the political upheavals wrought by the unwanted end to its isolationism and the cultural upheavals caused by the inundation of so much novelty in products, methods, and ideas, Fukuzawa hoped to instill a sense of personal strength among the people of Japan so they could build a nation to rival all others.{{fact| date= November 2021}} To his understanding, Western nations had become more powerful than other regions because their societies fostered ], ] (independence), ] and exchange of ideas.{{fact|date=November 2021}}
" (1872), written by Fukuzawa Yukichi and Obata Tokujirō.]]
Between 1872 and 1876, he published 17 volumes of ''Gakumon no Susume'' ("An Encouragement of Learning" or more idiomatically "On Studying"<ref>]</ref>). In these texts, Fukuzawa outlines the importance of understanding the principle of equality of opportunity and that study was the key to greatness. He was an avid supporter of education and believed in a firm mental foundation through education and studiousness. In the volumes of ''Gakumon no Susume'', influenced by ''Elements of Moral Science'' (1835, 1856 ed.) by ] President ], Fukuzawa advocated his most lasting principle, "national independence through personal independence." Through personal independence, an individual does not have to depend on the strength of another. With such a self-determining social morality, Fukuzawa hoped to instill a sense of personal strength among the people of Japan, and through that personal strength, build a nation to rival all others. His understanding was that western society had become powerful relative to other countries at the time because western countries fostered ], ] (independence), ] and exchange of ideas.


=== ''An Outline of a Theory of Civilization'' === === ''An Outline of a Theory of Civilization'' ===
{{citations|section| date= November 2021}}
'' (1875).]]
'' (1875)]]
Fukuzawa published many influential essays and critical works. A particularly prominent example is ''Bunmeiron no Gairyaku'' ("An Outline of a Theory of Civilization"<ref>]</ref>) published in 1875, in which he details his own theory of civilization. It was influenced by ''Histoire de la civilisation en Europe'' (1828; Eng. trans in 1846) by ] and '']'' (1872-1873, 2nd London ed.) by ]. According to Fukuzawa, civilization is relative to time and circumstance, as well in comparison. For example, at the time ] was relatively civilized in comparison to some ]n colonies, and European nations were the most civilized of all.
Fukuzawa published many influential essays and critical works. A particularly prominent example is ''Bunmeiron no Gairyaku'' ({{lang|ja|文明論之概略}}, {{Wikidata fallback link|Q11079939}}<ref>{{Harvtxt|Dilworth|Hurst|2008}}</ref>) published in 1875, in which he details his own theory of civilization. It was influenced by ''Histoire de la civilisation en Europe'' (1828; Eng. trans in 1846) by ] and '']'' (1872–1873, 2nd London ed.) by ]. According to Fukuzawa, civilization is relative to time and circumstance, as well in comparison. For example, at the time ] was relatively civilized in comparison to some ]n colonies, and European nations were the most civilized of all.


Colleagues in the ] intellectual society shared many of Fukuzawa's views, which he published in his contributions to ''Meiroku Zasshi'' (Meiji Six Magazine), a scholarly journal he helped publish. In his books and journals, he often wrote about the word "civilization" and what it meant. He advocated a move toward "civilization", by which he meant material and spiritual well-being, which elevated human life to a "higher plane". Because material and spiritual well-being corresponded to knowledge and "virtue," to "move toward civilization" was to advance and pursue knowledge and virtue themselves. He contended that people could find the answer to their life or their present situation from "civilization." Furthermore, the difference between the weak and the powerful and large and small was just a matter of difference between their knowledge and education. Colleagues in the ] intellectual society shared many of Fukuzawa's views, which he published in his contributions to '']'' (Meiji Six Magazine), a scholarly journal he helped publish. In his books and journals, he often wrote about the word "civilization" and what it meant. He advocated a move toward "civilization", by which he meant material and spiritual well-being, which elevated human life to a "higher plane". Because material and spiritual well-being corresponded to knowledge and "virtue", to "move toward civilization" was to advance and pursue knowledge and virtue themselves. He contended that people could find the answer to their life or their present situation from "civilization." Furthermore, the difference between the weak and the powerful and large and small was just a matter of difference between their knowledge and education.


He argued that Japan shouldn't import guns and materials. Instead it should support the acquisition of knowledge, which would eventually take care of the material necessities. He talked of the Japanese concept of being ] or ] (], jitsugaku) and the building of things that are basic and useful to other people. In short, to Fukuzawa, "civilization" essentially meant the furthering of knowledge and education. He argued that Japan should not import guns and materials. Instead it should support the acquisition of knowledge, which would eventually take care of the material necessities. He talked of the Japanese concept of being practical or pragmatic (], ''jitsugaku'') and the building of things that are basic and useful to other people. In short, to Fukuzawa, "civilization" essentially meant the furthering of knowledge and education.

== Criticism ==
Fukuzawa was later criticized as a supporter of Japanese ] because of an essay "]" ("Escape from Asia") published in 1885 and posthumously attributed to him, as well as for his support of the ] (1894–1895). Yet, "Datsu-A Ron" was actually a response to a failed attempt by ] to organize an effective reform faction. The essay was published as a withdrawal of his support. Nevertheless the assistance provided to radical Koreans during this era was never intended to lead to complete independence for the peninsula, but on the contrary sought to bring Korea under ever greater Japanese influence. This was amply demonstrated by the power-plays undertaken in Korea by both Koreans supported by Fukuzawa and the ] during the First Sino-Japanese War.

According to ''Fukuzawa Yukichi no Shinjitsu'' ("The Truth of Fukuzawa Yukichi", 2004, ISBN 4-16-660394-9) by ], this view is a misunderstanding due to the influence of ], who was the author of a biography of Fukuzawa (1932) and the editor of his ''Complete Works'' (1925–1926 and 1933–1934). According to Hirayama, Ishikawa inserted anonymous editorials into the ''Complete Works'', and inserted historically inaccurate material into his biography. In fact, says Hirayama, Fukuzawa did criticize the Chinese and Korean governments but he did not discriminate against the Chinese and Korean people. Discriminatory statements attributed to Fukuzawa, he says, were actually due to Ishikawa.
{{cquote|The material in ''Fukuzawa Yukichi Complete Works'' (1958-1964) volumes 1 to 7 must be distinguished from that in volumes 8 to 16. Volumes 1 to 7 contain signed works, but the Jiji Shinpō editorials in volumes 8 to 16 are almost all unsigned works chosen by Ishikawa. Six of the editorials in volume 16 were written six months after Fukuzawa's death, and of course cannot have been written by Fukuzawa.}}


== Legacy == == Legacy ==
] ]
Fukuzawa's most important contribution to the reformation effort, though, came in the form of a newspaper called '']'' ({{lang|ja|時事新報}}, "Current Events"), which he started in 1882, after being prompted by ], ], and ] to establish a strong influence among the people through publishing. All agreed the government should take the form of a ], and as reforms began, Fukuzawa, whose fame was already unquestionable, began production of ''Jiji Shinpo'', which received wide circulation, encouraging the people to enlighten themselves and to adopt a moderate political attitude towards the change that was being engineered within the social and political structures of Japan. He translated many books and journals into Japanese on a wide variety of subjects, including ], the ], ] and ], and published many books (in multiple volumes) and journals himself describing western society, his own ] and change, etc. Fukuzawa's most important contribution to the reformation effort, though, came in the form of a newspaper called {{Wikidata fallback link|Q11514312}} ({{lang|ja|時事新報}}, "Current Events"), which he started in 1882, after being prompted by ], ], and ] to establish a strong influence among the people, and in particular to transmit to the public the government's views on the projected ], and as reforms began, Fukuzawa, whose fame was already unquestionable, began production of ''Jiji Shinpo'', which received wide circulation, encouraging the people to enlighten themselves and to adopt a moderate political attitude towards the change that was being engineered within the social and political structures of Japan. He translated many books and journals into Japanese on a wide variety of subjects, including ], the ], ] and ], and published many books (in multiple volumes) and journals himself describing Western society, his own ] and change, etc.


] banknote engraved by ].]] ] banknote engraved by ].]]
Fukuzawa was one of the most influential people ever that helped Japan modernize into the country it is today. He never accepted any high position and stayed a normal Japanese citizen for his whole life. By the time of his death, he was revered as one of the founders of modern Japan. All of his work was written and was released at a critical juncture in the Japanese society and uncertainty for the Japanese people about their future after the signing of the ], their realization in the weakness of the Japanese government at the time (Tokugawa Shogunate) and its inability to repel the American and European influence. It should also be noted that there were bands of ] that forcefully opposed the Americans and Europeans and their friends through murder and destruction. Fukuzawa was in danger of his life as a samurai group killed one of his colleagues for advocating policies like those of Fukuzawa. Fukuzawa wrote at a time when the Japanese people were undecided on whether they should be bitter about the American and European forced treaties and imperialism, or to understand the West and move forward. Fukuzawa greatly aided the ultimate success of the pro-modernization forces. Fukuzawa was one of the most influential people ever that helped Japan modernize into the country it is today. He never accepted any high position and remained a normal Japanese citizen for his whole life. By the time of his death, he was revered as one of the founders of modern Japan. All of his work was written and was released at a critical juncture in the Japanese society and uncertainty for the Japanese people about their future after the signing of the ], their realization in the weakness of the Japanese government at the time (Tokugawa Shogunate) and its inability to repel the American and European influence. It should also be noted that there were bands of ] that forcefully opposed the Americans and Europeans and their friends through murder and destruction. Fukuzawa was in danger of his life as a samurai group killed one of his colleagues for advocating policies like those of Fukuzawa. Fukuzawa wrote at a time when the Japanese people were undecided on whether they should be bitter about the American and European forced treaties and imperialism, or to understand the West and move forward. Fukuzawa greatly aided the ultimate success of the pro-modernization forces.


Fukuzawa appears on the current 10,000-] banknote and has been compared to ] in the ]. Franklin appears on the similarly-valued ]. Although all other figures appearing on Japanese banknotes changed when the recent redesign was released, Fukuzawa remained on the 10,000-yen note. Fukuzawa appeared on the 10,000-] banknote in the 1984 and 2004 issues, and has been compared to ] in the ]. Franklin appears on the similarly-valued ]. Although all other figures appearing on Japanese banknotes changed when the 2004 series was released, Fukuzawa remained on the 10,000-yen note. His image was eventually replaced by ] in 2024.
<!-- <!--
As a marketing gimmick, Fukuzawa's portrait from the 10,000-yen note is used on the packaging of a weight-loss product marketed primarily to Spanish-speaking customers as "Te Chino del Dr. Ming" (Chinese Tea of Dr. Ming). {{Citation needed|date=October 2009}} As a marketing gimmick, Fukuzawa's portrait from the 10,000-yen note is used on the packaging of a weight-loss product marketed primarily to Spanish-speaking customers as "Te Chino del Dr. Ming" (Chinese Tea of Dr. Ming). {{Citation needed|date=October 2009}}
--> -->
] in ]]]
Yukichi Fukuzawa's former residence in the city of ] in ] is a Nationally Designated Cultural Asset. The house and the Yukichi Fukuzawa Memorial Hall are the major tourist attractions of this city.<ref>], p. 36.</ref>


Yukichi Fukuzawa was a firm believer that Western education surpassed Japan's. However, he did not like the idea of debates in parliaments. As early as 1860, Yukichi Fukuzawa traveled to ] and the ]. He believed that the problem in ] was the undervalued mathematics and science.{{Citation needed|date=November 2011}} Also, these suffered from a "lack of the idea of independence." The Japanese conservatives were not happy about Fukuzawa's view of Western education. Since he was a family friend of conservatives, he took their stand to heart. Fukuzawa admitted that he went a little too far.<ref>], p. 37.</ref> Fukuzawa Yukichi was a firm believer that Western education surpassed Japan's. However, he did not like the idea of parliamentary debates. As early as 1860, Fukuzawa Yukichi traveled to ] and the ]. He believed that the problem in Japan was the undervalued mathematics and science.{{Citation needed|date=November 2011}} Also, these suffered from a "lack of the idea of independence". The Japanese conservatives were not happy about Fukuzawa's view of Western education. Since he was a family friend of conservatives, he took their stand to heart. Fukuzawa later came to state that he went a little too far.<ref>{{Harvtxt|Adas|Stearns|Schwartz|1993|p=37}}.</ref>


One words sums up his entire theme and that is "independence." Yukichi Fukuzawa believed that national independence was the framework to society in the West. However, to achieve this independence, as well as personal independence, Fukuzawa advocated Western learning. He believed that public virtue would increase as people became more educated.<ref name="unesco" /> One word sums up his entire theme and that is "independence". Fukuzawa Yukichi believed that national independence was the framework to society in the West. However, to achieve this independence, as well as personal independence, Fukuzawa advocated Western learning. He believed that public virtue would increase as people became more educated.<ref name="unesco" />

===Former Residence of Fukuzawa Yukichi===
] in ]]]
Fukuzawa Yukichi's childhood home in the Rusui-cho neighbourhood of the city of ] in ] still exists. It is located on the lower reaches of the Nakatsu River, almost due east of ] ({{coord|33|36|26|N|131|11|27|E|region:JP-44|display=inline}}). Fukuzawa Yukichi was born in 1835 in the Nakatsu Domain warehouse in Osaka and the family returned to Nakatsu after his father's death when he was 18 months old. He lived in this house in Nakatsu until age 19. The structure is a typical samurai residence of the late Edo Period and is a one-story wooden, thatch roof building with two 6-'']'', one 8-''tatami'', and one 4.5 ''tatami'' rooms. The north of the main building is a two-story ] storehouse with a tile roof. In 1971 this former residence and the ruins of a former residence across the street were designated as a ].<ref name="Shiseki">{{cite book |last1=Isomura |first1=Yukio |last2=Sakai |first2=Hideya |title=(国指定史跡事典) National Historic Site Encyclopedia |date=2012 |publisher=学生社 |isbn=978-4311750403}}{{in lang|ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://bunka.nii.ac.jp/heritages/detail/203076|title=福沢諭吉旧居|language=Japanese |publisher=] |accessdate=August 20, 2020}}</ref> The house and the adjacent Fukuzawa Yukichi Memorial Hall, which displays the original manuscript of ''Gakaku no Susume'' and Fukuzawa Yukichi's personal belongings, are the major tourist attractions of this city.<ref>{{Harvtxt|Adas|Stearns|Schwartz|1993|p=36}}.</ref> It is located approximately a 15-minute walk from ] on the ] ].


== Bibliography == == Bibliography ==


=== Original Japanese Books === === Original Japanese books ===
# (''Zōtei Kaei Tsūgo'', 1860) # (増訂華英通語 ''Zōtei Kaei Tsūgo'', 1860)
# (''Seiyō Jijō'', 1866, 1868 and 1870) # (西洋事情 ''Seiyō Jijō'', 1866, 1868 and 1870)
# (''Raijyū Sōhō'', 1867) # (雷銃操法 ''Raijyū Sōhō'', 1867)
# (''Seiyō Tabiannai'', 1867) # (西洋旅案内 ''Seiyō Tabiannai'', 1867)
# (''Jyōyaku Jyūichi-kokki'', 1867) # (条約十一国記 ''Jyōyaku Jyūichi-kokki'', 1867)
# (''Seiyō Isyokujyū'', 1867) # (西洋衣食住 ''Seiyō Isyokujyū'', 1867)
# (''Heishi Kaicyū Binran'', 1868) # (兵士懐中便覧 ''Heishi Kaicyū Binran'', 1868)
# (''Kinmō Kyūri Zukai'', 1868) # (訓蒙窮理図解 ''Kinmō Kyūri Zukai'', 1868)
# (''Yōhei Meikan'', 1869) # (洋兵明鑑 ''Yōhei Meikan'', 1869)
# (''Shōcyū Bankoku-Ichiran'', 1869) # (掌中万国一覧 ''Shōcyū Bankoku-Ichiran'', 1869)
# (''Eikoku Gijiindan'', 1869) # (英国議事院談 ''Eikoku Gijiindan'', 1869)
# (''Shin-ei Kosai-shimatsu'', 1869) # (清英交際始末 ''Shin-ei Kosai-shimatsu'', 1869)
# (''Sekai Kunizukushi'', 1869) # (世界国尽 ''Sekai Kunizukushi'', 1869)
# (''Hibi no Oshie'', 1871) - These books were written for Fukuzawa's first son Ichitarō and second son Sutejirō. # (ひびのおしえ ''Hibi no Oshie'', 1871) - These books were written for Fukuzawa's first son Ichitarō and second son Sutejirō.
# (''Keimō Tenarai-no-Fumi'', 1871) # (啓蒙手習の文 ''Keimō Tenarai-no-Fumi'', 1871)
# (''Gakumon no Susume'', 1872–1876) # (学問のすゝめ ''Gakumon no Susume'', 1872–1876)
# (''Dōmō Oshie-Gusa'', 1872) # (童蒙教草 ''Dōmō Oshie-Gusa'', 1872)
# (''Katawa Musume'', 1872) # (かたわ娘 ''Katawa Musume'', 1872)
# (''Kaireki-Ben'', 1873) # (改暦弁 ''Kaireki-Ben'', 1873)
# (''Chōai-no-Hō'', 1873) # (帳合之法 ''Chōai-no-Hō'', 1873)
# (''Nihon Chizu Sōshi'', 1873) # (日本地図草紙 ''Nihon Chizu Sōshi'', 1873)
# (''Moji-no-Oshie'', 1873) # (文字之教 ''Moji-no-Oshie'', 1873)
# (''Kaigi-Ben'', 1874) # (会議弁 ''Kaigi-Ben'', 1874)
# (''Bunmeiron no Gairyaku'', 1875) # (文明論之概略 ''Bunmeiron no Gairyaku'', 1875)
# (''Gakusya Anshinron'', 1876) # (学者安心論 ''Gakusya Anshinron'', 1876)
# (''Bunkenron'', 1877) # (分権論 ''Bunkenron'', 1877)
# (''Minkan Keizairoku'', 1877) # (民間経済録 ''Minkan Keizairoku'', 1877)
# (''Fukuzawa Bunsyū'', 1878) # (福澤文集 ''Fukuzawa Bunsyū'', 1878)
# (''Tsūkaron'', 1878) # (通貨論 ''Tsūkaron'', 1878)
# (''Tsūzoku Minkenron'', 1878) # (通俗民権論 ''Tsūzoku Minkenron'', 1878)
# (''Tsūzoku Kokkenron'', 1878) # (通俗国権論 ''Tsūzoku Kokkenron'', 1878)
# (''Minjyō Ittushin'', 1879) # (民情一新 ''Minjyō Isshin'', 1879)
# (''Kokkairon'', 1879) # (国会論 ''Kokkairon'', 1879)
# (''Jiji Shōgen'', 1881) # (時事小言 ''Jiji Shōgen'', 1881)
# (''Jiji Taiseiron'', 1882) # (時事大勢論 ''Jiji Taiseiron'', 1882)
# (''Teishitsuron'', 1882) # (帝室論 ''Teishitsuron'', 1882)
# (''Heiron'', 1882) # (兵論 ''Heiron'', 1882)
# (''Tokuiku-Ikan'', 1882) # (徳育如何 ''Tokuiku-Ikan'', 1882)
# (''Gakumon-no Dokuritsu'', 1883) # (学問之独立 ''Gakumon-no Dokuritsu'', 1883)
# (''Zenkoku Cyōheiron'', 1884) # (全国徴兵論 ''Zenkoku Cyōheiron'', 1884)
# (''Tsūzoku Gaikōron'', 1884) # (通俗外交論 ''Tsūzoku Gaikōron'', 1884)
# (''Nihon Fujinron'', 1885) # (日本婦人論 ''Nihon Fujinron'', 1885)
# (''Shijin Syoseiron'', 1885) # (士人処世論 ''Shijin Syoseiron'', 1885)
# (''Hinkōron'', 1885) # (品行論 ''Hinkōron'', 1885)
# (''Nannyo Kosairon'', 1886) # (男女交際論 ''Nannyo Kosairon'', 1886)
# (''Nihon Nanshiron'', 1888) # (日本男子論 ''Nihon Nanshiron'', 1888)
# (''Sonnōron'', 1888) # (尊王論 ''Sonnōron'', 1888)
# (''Kokkai-no Zento; Kokkai Nankyoku-no Yurai; Chian-Syōgen; Chisoron'', 1892) # (国会の前途 ''Kokkai-no Zento; Kokkai Nankyoku-no Yurai; Chian-Syōgen; Chisoron'', 1892)
# (''Jitsugyōron'', 1893) # (実業論 ''Jitsugyōron'', 1893)
# (''Fukuō Hyakuwa'', 1897) # (福翁百話 ''Fukuō Hyakuwa'', 1897)
# (''Fukuzawa Zensyū Cyogen'', 1897) # (福澤全集緒言 ''Fukuzawa Zensyū Cyogen'', 1897)
# (''Fukuzawa Sensei Ukiyodan'', 1898) # (福澤先生浮世談 ''Fukuzawa Sensei Ukiyodan'', 1898)
# Discourses of study for success (''Syūgyō Rittishihen'', 1898) # Discourses of study for success (修業立志編 ''Syūgyō Rittishihen'', 1898)
# (''Fukuō Jiden'', 1899) # (福翁自伝 ''Fukuō Jiden'', 1899)
# (''Onnadaigaku Hyōron; Shin-Onnadaigaku'', 1899) # (女大学評論 ''Onnadaigaku Hyōron''; 新女大学 ''Shin-Onnadaigaku'', 1899)
# (''Fukuō Hyakuyowa'', 1901) # (福翁百余話 ''Fukuō Hyakuyowa'', 1901)
# (''Meiji Jyūnen Teicyū Kōron; Yasegaman-no Setsu'', 1901) # (明治十年丁丑公論 ''Meiji Jyūnen Teicyū Kōron''; 瘠我慢の説 ''Yasegaman-no Setsu'', 1901)


=== English translations === === English translations ===
*{{Citation|others=Revised translation by ], with a foreword by ]|origyear=1966|year=1980|title=The Autobiography of Yukichi Fukuzawa|publisher=Columbia University Press|location=NY|isbn=0-231-08373-4}} *{{Citation|others=Revised translation by ], with a foreword by ]|orig-year=1966|year=1980|title=The Autobiography of Fukuzawa Yukichi|publisher=Columbia University Press|location=NY|isbn=978-0-231-08373-7|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/autobiographyofy0000fuku}}
*{{Citation|others=Revised translation by ], with a foreword by ]|year=2007|title=The Autobiography of Yukichi Fukuzawa|publisher=Columbia University Press|location=NY|isbn=978-0-231-13987-8}} *{{Citation|others=Revised translation by ], with a foreword by ]|year=2007|title=The Autobiography of Fukuzawa Yukichi|publisher=Columbia University Press|location=NY|isbn=978-0-231-13987-8}}
* , (Paperback) Keio University Press * , (Paperback) Keio University Press
**{{Anchor|Dilworth&Hurst2008|}} vol.1 ''''. 2008. Translation by ], ]. ISBN 978-4-7664-1560-5 ** vol.1 {{Citation|others=Translation by ], ]|year=2008|title=An Outline of a Theory of Civilization|isbn=978-4-7664-1560-5|url=http://www.keio-up.co.jp/kup/eng/philo/15600.html|ref={{Harvid|Dilworth|Hurst|2008}}|last1=福澤諭吉|publisher=Keio University Press }}
** vol.2 {{Citation|others=Translation by David A. Dilworth|year=2012|title=An Encouragement of Learning|isbn=978-4-7664-1684-8|url=http://www.keio-up.co.jp/np/isbn/9784766416848/|ref={{Harvid|Dilworth|2012}}|last1=福澤諭吉|publisher=Keio University Press }}
**{{Anchor|Dilworth2012|}} vol.2 ''''. 2012. Translation by David A. Dilworth. ISBN 978-4-7664-1684-8
** vol.3 {{Citation|others=Edited and with New and Revised Translations by ]|year=2017|title=Fukuzawa Yukichi on Women and the Family|isbn=978-4-7664-2414-0|url=http://www.keio-up.co.jp/np/isbn/9784766424140/|ref={{Harvid|Ballhatchet|2017}}|last1=福澤諭吉|publisher=Keio University Press }}
** vol.3 ''The Autobiography of Fukuzawa Yukichi''. 201?. (forthcoming)
** vol.4 ''Essays on Family and Women''. 201?. Revised translation and with an introduction by Helen Ballhatchet. (forthcoming) ** Vol.4 ''The Autobiography of Fukuzawa Yukichi''. Revised translation and with an introduction by Helen Ballhatchet.

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}


== See also == == See also ==
{{Portal|Japan|Biography}} {{Portal|Japan|Biography}}
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== References == ==Notes==
{{Reflist}}
{{commons|Category:Fukuzawa Yukichi|Fukuzawa Yukichi}}
{{wikiquote}}


== References ==
*{{Cite book|author=Michael Adas|authorlink=Michael Adas|coauthors=], ]|year=1993|title=Turbulent Passage: A Global History of the Twentieth Century|publisher=Longman Publishing Group|isbn=0-06-501039-6|ref=Adas&Stearns&Schwartz1993}}
*{{Citation|first1=Michael|last1=Adas|author-link1=Michael Adas|first2=Peter|last2=Stearns|author-link2=Peter Stearns|first3=Stuart|last3=Schwartz|author-link3=Stuart Schwartz|year=1993|title=Turbulent Passage: A Global History of the Twentieth Century|publisher=Longman Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-06-501039-8}}
*{{Citation|last=Nishikawa|first=Shunsaku|year=1993|title=FUKUZAWA YUKICHI1 (1835-1901)|journal=Prospects: the quarterly review of comparative education|volume=vol. XXIII|issue=no. 3/4|pages=493–506|publisher=]|url=http://www.ibe.unesco.org/fileadmin/user_upload/archive/publications/ThinkersPdf/fukuzawe.pdf|format=PDF}}
*{{Citation |last=Nishikawa |first=Shunsaku |author-link=:ja:西川俊作 |title=Fukuzawa Yukichi |year=1993 |journal=Prospects: The Quarterly Review of Comparative Education |volume=XXIII |issue=3/4 |pages=493–506 |doi=10.1007/BF02195131 |s2cid=145275971 |url=http://www.ibe.unesco.org/fileadmin/user_upload/archive/publications/ThinkersPdf/fukuzawe.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924032632/http://www.ibe.unesco.org/fileadmin/user_upload/archive/publications/ThinkersPdf/fukuzawe.pdf |archive-date=2015-09-24}} - ()


== Further reading == == Further reading ==
*{{Citation|last=Lu|first=David John|authorlink=David John Lu|year=2005|title=Japan: A Documentary History: The Dawn of History to the Late Tokugawa Period|publisher=M.E. Sharpe|isbn=1-56324-907-3}} * {{cite book | first = William | last = De Lange | title = A History of Japanese Journalism: State of Affairs and Affairs of State | publisher = Toyo Press | year=2023 | isbn = 978-94-92722-393 }}
*Hiruta, Kei (2023). "]". ''American Political Science Review''
*{{Citation|last=Kitaoka|first=Shin-ichi|authorlink=Shinichi Kitaoka|date=March–April 2003|title=Pride and Independence: Fukuzawa Yukichi and the Spirit of the Meiji Restoration (Part 1)|journal=Journal of Japanese Trade and Industry|publisher=Japan Economic Foundation|url=http://www.jef.or.jp/en/jti/200303_019.html|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20030331142744/http://www.jef.or.jp/en/jti/200303_019.html|archivedate=2003-03-31|ref=Kitaoka2003a}}
*{{Citation|last=Lu|first=David John|author-link=David John Lu|year=2005|title=Japan: A Documentary History: The Dawn of History to the Late Tokugawa Period|publisher=M.E. Sharpe|isbn=978-1-56324-907-5}}
*{{Citation|last=Kitaoka|first=Shin-ichi|authorlink=Shinichi Kitaoka|date=May–June 2003|title=Pride and Independence: Fukuzawa Yukichi and the Spirit of the Meiji Restoration (Part 2)|journal=Journal of Japanese Trade and Industry|publisher=Japan Economic Foundation|url=http://www.jef.or.jp/en/jti/200305_025.html|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20030506055242/http://www.jef.or.jp/en/jti/200305_025.html|archivedate=2003-05-06|ref=Kitaoka2003b}}
*{{Citation|last=Kitaoka|first=Shin-ichi|author-link=Shinichi Kitaoka|translator=Vardaman, James M.|year=2017|title=Self-Respect and Independence of Mind: The Challenge of Fukuzawa Yukichi|publisher=Japan Publishing Industry Foundation for Culture (JPIC)|location=Tokyo|series=JAPAN LIBRARY|isbn=978-4-916055-62-0|url=https://japanlibrary.jpic.or.jp/books/published/history/001823.html}}
*{{Citation|last=Kitaoka|first=Shin-ichi|author-link=Shinichi Kitaoka|date=March–April 2003|title=Pride and Independence: Fukuzawa Yukichi and the Spirit of the Meiji Restoration (Part 1)|journal=Journal of Japanese Trade and Industry|url=http://www.jef.or.jp/en/jti/200303_019.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030331142744/http://www.jef.or.jp/en/jti/200303_019.html|archive-date=2003-03-31|ref=Kitaoka2003a}}
*{{Citation|last=Kitaoka|first=Shin-ichi|author-link=Shinichi Kitaoka|date=May–June 2003|title=Pride and Independence: Fukuzawa Yukichi and the Spirit of the Meiji Restoration (Part 2)|journal=Journal of Japanese Trade and Industry|url=http://www.jef.or.jp/en/jti/200305_025.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030506055242/http://www.jef.or.jp/en/jti/200305_025.html|archive-date=2003-05-06|ref=Kitaoka2003b}}
*{{Citation|author=]|year=2009|title=Civilization and Enlightenment: The Early Thought of Fukuzawa Yukichi|edition=Hardcover|publisher=Harvard University Press|location=Cambridge|isbn=978-0-674-03108-1}} *{{Citation|author=]|year=2009|title=Civilization and Enlightenment: The Early Thought of Fukuzawa Yukichi|edition=Hardcover|publisher=Harvard University Press|location=Cambridge|isbn=978-0-674-03108-1}}
*{{Citation|author=Tamaki, Norio|year=2001|title=Yukichi Fukuzawa, 1835-1901: The Spirit of Enterprise in Modern Japan|edition=Hardcover|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|location=United Kingdom|isbn=0-333-80121-0}} *{{Citation|author=Tamaki, Norio|year=2001|title=Fukuzawa Yukichi, 1835-1901: The Spirit of Enterprise in Modern Japan|edition=Hardcover|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|location=United Kingdom|isbn=978-0-333-80121-5}}
*{{in lang|fr}} Lefebvre, Isabelle. "" (). '']''. 19 | 2012 : Le Japon et le fait colonial II. pp.&nbsp;79-91.
*{{in lang|fr}} Maruyama, Masao (丸山眞男). "" (). '']''. 19 | 2012 : Le Japon et le fait colonial II. pp.&nbsp;191-217. Translated from Japanese by Isabelle Lefebvre.
**{{in lang|ja}} Original version: Maruyama, Masao. "Fukuzawa ni okeru ''jitsugaku'' no tenkai. Fukuzawa Yukichi no tetsugaku kenkyū josetsu" (福沢に於ける「実学」の展開、福沢諭吉の哲学研究序説), March 1947, in Maruyama Masao shū (丸山眞男集), vol. xvi, Tōkyō, ], (1997), 2004, pp.&nbsp;108-131.
*(in French) Fukuzawa Yukichi'', L’Appel à l’étude'', complete edition, translated from Japanese, annotated and presented by ], Paris, Les Belles Lettres, april ], 220 p.


== External links == == External links ==
{{commons category}}
{{wikiquote}}
* | (]) * | (])
* by Fukuzawa Yukichi (Part One, English Translation) * by Fukuzawa Yukichi (Part One, English Translation)
* at ] {{ja icon}} * at ] {{in lang|ja}}
* (National Institute of Japanese Literature)
{{Authority control|VIAF=71431899}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Persondata
| NAME = Fukuzawa Yukichi
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Japanese writer
| DATE OF BIRTH = January 10, 1835
| PLACE OF BIRTH = ], ]
| DATE OF DEATH = February 3, 1901
| PLACE OF DEATH = ], Japan
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fukuzawa, Yukichi}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Fukuzawa, Yukichi}}
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Latest revision as of 11:41, 3 January 2025

Japanese author, teacher, and entrepreneur (1835–1901) In this Japanese name, the surname is Fukuzawa.
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Fukuzawa Yukichi
福澤諭吉
Fukuzawa in 1891
Born(1835-01-10)January 10, 1835
Dojima Shinchi 5-chome, Settsu Province, Tokugawa shogunate
DiedFebruary 3, 1901(1901-02-03) (aged 66)
Shiba, Tokyo, Empire of Japan
Other namesShi-I (子圍)
Sanjyū-ikkoku-jin (三十一谷人)
SpouseKin Toki

Fukuzawa Yukichi (福澤 諭吉, January 10, 1835 – February 3, 1901) was a Japanese educator, philosopher, writer, entrepreneur and samurai who founded Keio University, the newspaper Jiji-Shinpō, and the Institute for Study of Infectious Diseases.

Fukuzawa was an early advocate for reform in Japan. His ideas about the organization of government and the structure of social institutions made a lasting impression on a rapidly changing Japan during the Meiji period. He appears on the 10,000-Japanese yen banknote from 1984 to 2024, replacing Prince Shotoku.

Early life

Monument of Fukuzawa Yukichi's birthplace, the Nakatsu Domain warehouse-mansion, in Hotarumachi, Fukushima-ku, Osaka

Fukuzawa Yukichi was born into an impoverished low-ranking samurai (military nobility) family of the Okudaira Clan of Nakatsu Domain (present-day Ōita, Kyushu) in 1835. His family lived in Osaka, the main trading center for Japan at the time. His family was poor following the early death of his father, who was also a Confucian scholar. At the age of 5 he started Han learning, and by the time he turned 14, he had studied major writings such as the Analects, Tao Te Ching, Zuo Zhuan and Zhuangzi. Fukuzawa was greatly influenced by his lifelong teacher, Shōzan Shiraishi, who was a scholar of Confucianism and Han learning. Yukichi turned 19 in 1854, shortly after the Perry Expedition's arrival in Japan marking the beginning of the opening of Japan to trade via Gunboat diplomacy. As the family patriarch Fukuzawa's brother asked him to travel to Nagasaki, where the Dutch colony at Dejima was located, in order to enter a school of Dutch studies (rangaku). He instructed Yukichi to learn Dutch so that he might study European cannon designs and gunnery.

Sailors of the Kanrin Maru, members of the Japanese Embassy to the United States (1860). Fukuzawa Yukichi sits on the right.
Fukuzawa Yukichi (posing with the photographer's twelve year old daughter, Theodora Alice Shew) in San Francisco, 1860

Fukuzawa’s early life consisted of the dull and backbreaking work typical of a lower-level samurai in Japan during the Tokugawa period. Although Fukuzawa did travel to Nagasaki, his stay was brief as he quickly began to outshine his host in Nagasaki, Okudaira Iki. Okudaira planned to get rid of Fukuzawa by writing a letter saying that Fukuzawa's mother was ill. Seeing through the fake letter, Fukuzawa planned to travel to Edo and continue his studies there, since he would be unable to do so in his home domain of Nakatsu. However, upon his return to Osaka, his brother persuaded him to stay and enroll at the Tekijuku school run by physician and rangaku scholar Ogata Kōan. Fukuzawa studied at Tekijuku for three years and became fully proficient in the Dutch language. In 1858, he was appointed the official Dutch teacher of Nakatsu, and was sent to Edo to teach the family's vassals there.

The following year, Japan opened up three of its ports to American and European ships, and Fukuzawa, intrigued with Western civilization, traveled to Kanagawa to see them. When he arrived, he discovered that virtually all of the European merchants there were speaking English rather than Dutch. He then began to study English, but at that time, English-Japanese interpreters were rare and dictionaries nonexistent, so his studies were slow.

In 1859, the Tokugawa shogunate sent their first diplomatic mission to the United States. Fukuzawa volunteered his services to Admiral Kimura Yoshitake. Kimura's ship, the Kanrin Maru, arrived in San Francisco, California, in 1860. The delegation stayed in the city for a month, during which time Fukuzawa had himself photographed with an American girl, and also found a Webster's Dictionary, from which he began serious study of the English language.

Political movements

Fukuzawa Yukichi was a member of the Japanese Embassy to the United States (1860) (Washington shipyard).
Fukuzawa posing in Utrecht as part of the First Japanese Embassy to Europe, 1862

Upon his return in 1860, Fukuzawa became an official translator for the Tokugawa shogunate. Shortly afterwards he brought out his first publication, an English-Japanese dictionary which he called "Kaei Tsūgo" (translated from a Chinese-English dictionary) which was a beginning for his series of later books. In 1862, he visited Europe as one of the two English translators in the First Japanese Embassy to Europe. During its year in Europe, the Embassy conducted negotiations with France, England, the Netherlands, Prussia, and finally Russia. In Russia, the embassy attempted unsuccessfully to negotiate for the southern end of Sakhalin (in Japanese Karafuto), a long-standing source of dispute between the two countries.

The information collected during these travels resulted in his famous work Seiyō Jijō (西洋事情, Things western [Wikidata]), which he published in ten volumes in 1867, 1868 and 1870. The books describe western culture and institutions in simple, easy to understand terms, and they became immediate best-sellers. Fukuzawa was soon regarded as the foremost expert on western civilization, leading him to conclude that his mission in life was to educate his countrymen in new ways of thinking in order to enable Japan to resist European imperialism.

In 1868 he changed the name of the school he had established to teach Dutch to Keio Gijuku, and from then on devoted all his time to education. He also added public speaking to the educational system's curriculum. While Keiō's initial identity was that of a private school of Western studies (Keio-gijuku), it expanded and established its first university faculty in 1890. Under the name Keio-Gijuku University, it became a leader in Japanese higher education.

Fukuzawa was also a strong advocate for women’s rights. He often spoke up in favor of equality between husbands and wives, the education of girls as well as boys, and the equal love of daughters and sons. At the same time, he called attention to harmful practices such as women’s inability to own property in their own name and the familial distress that took place when married men took mistresses. However, even Fukuzawa was not willing to propose completely equal rights for men and women; only for husbands and wives. He also stated in his 1899 book New Greater Learning for Women that a good marriage was always the best outcome for a young woman, and according to some of Fukuzawa's personal letters, he discouraged his friends from sending their daughters on to higher education so that they would not become less desirable marriage candidates. While some of Yukichi’s other proposed reforms, such as education reforms, found an eager audience, his ideas about women received a less enthusiastic reception.

Death

After suffering a stroke on January 25, 1901, Fukuzawa Yukichi died on February 3. He was buried at Zenpuku-ji, in the Azabu area of Tokyo. Alumni of Keio-Gijuku University hold a ceremony there every year on February 3.

Works

Fukuzawa's writings may have been the foremost of the Edo period and Meiji period. They played a large role in the introduction of Western culture into Japan.

English-Japanese Dictionary

In 1860, he published English-Japanese Dictionary ("Zōtei Kaei Tsūgo"). It was his first publication. He bought English-Chinese Dictionary ("Kaei Tsūgo") in San Francisco in 1860. He translated it to Japanese and he added the Japanese translations to the original textbook. In his book, he invented the new Japanese characters VU (ヴ) to represent the pronunciation of VU, and VA (ヷ) to represent the pronunciation of VA. For example, the name Beethoven is written as ベートーヴェン in modern Japanese.

All the Countries of the World, for Children Written in Verse

His famous textbook Sekai Kunizukushi ("All the Countries of the World, for Children Written in Verse", 1869) became a best seller and was used as an official school textbook. His inspiration for writing the books came when he tried to teach world geography to his sons. At the time there were no textbooks on the subject, so he decided to write one himself. He started by buying a few Japanese geography books for children, named Miyakoji ("City roads") and Edo hōgaku ("Tokyo maps"), and practiced reading them aloud. He then wrote Sekai Kunizukushi in six volumes in the same lyrical style. The first volume covered Asia, the second Africa, the third Europe, the fourth South America, and the fifth both North America and Australia. The sixth volume was an appendix that gave an introduction to world geography.

An Encouragement of Learning

First edition of "An Encouragement of Learning" (1872), written by Fukuzawa Yukichi and Obata Tokujirō

Influenced by the 1835 and 1856 editions of Elements of Moral Science by Brown University President Francis Wayland, from 1872-76 Fukuzawa published 17 volumes of Gakumon no Susume (学問のすすめ, An Encouragement of Learning [Wikidata] or more idiomatically "On Studying"). Through these writings, Fukuzawa develops his views on the importance of equality of opportunity as a principle, explores his understanding of the principle, and stresses that education is the key to taking best advantage of the principle and achieving greatness. For these reasons, he was an avid supporter of public schools and believed in a firm mental foundation through learning and studiousness. Fukuzawa also advocated in these writings his most lasting motto, "national independence through personal independence." By creating a self-determining social morality for a Japan still reeling from both the political upheavals wrought by the unwanted end to its isolationism and the cultural upheavals caused by the inundation of so much novelty in products, methods, and ideas, Fukuzawa hoped to instill a sense of personal strength among the people of Japan so they could build a nation to rival all others. To his understanding, Western nations had become more powerful than other regions because their societies fostered education, individualism (independence), competition and exchange of ideas.

An Outline of a Theory of Civilization

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First edition of An Outline of a Theory of Civilization (1875)

Fukuzawa published many influential essays and critical works. A particularly prominent example is Bunmeiron no Gairyaku (文明論之概略, An Outline of a Theory of Civilization [Wikidata]) published in 1875, in which he details his own theory of civilization. It was influenced by Histoire de la civilisation en Europe (1828; Eng. trans in 1846) by François Guizot and History of Civilization in England (1872–1873, 2nd London ed.) by Henry Thomas Buckle. According to Fukuzawa, civilization is relative to time and circumstance, as well in comparison. For example, at the time China was relatively civilized in comparison to some African colonies, and European nations were the most civilized of all.

Colleagues in the Meirokusha intellectual society shared many of Fukuzawa's views, which he published in his contributions to Meiroku zasshi (Meiji Six Magazine), a scholarly journal he helped publish. In his books and journals, he often wrote about the word "civilization" and what it meant. He advocated a move toward "civilization", by which he meant material and spiritual well-being, which elevated human life to a "higher plane". Because material and spiritual well-being corresponded to knowledge and "virtue", to "move toward civilization" was to advance and pursue knowledge and virtue themselves. He contended that people could find the answer to their life or their present situation from "civilization." Furthermore, the difference between the weak and the powerful and large and small was just a matter of difference between their knowledge and education.

He argued that Japan should not import guns and materials. Instead it should support the acquisition of knowledge, which would eventually take care of the material necessities. He talked of the Japanese concept of being practical or pragmatic (実学, jitsugaku) and the building of things that are basic and useful to other people. In short, to Fukuzawa, "civilization" essentially meant the furthering of knowledge and education.

Legacy

Fukuzawa Yukichi

Fukuzawa's most important contribution to the reformation effort, though, came in the form of a newspaper called Jiji Shinpō [Wikidata] (時事新報, "Current Events"), which he started in 1882, after being prompted by Inoue Kaoru, Ōkuma Shigenobu, and Itō Hirobumi to establish a strong influence among the people, and in particular to transmit to the public the government's views on the projected national assembly, and as reforms began, Fukuzawa, whose fame was already unquestionable, began production of Jiji Shinpo, which received wide circulation, encouraging the people to enlighten themselves and to adopt a moderate political attitude towards the change that was being engineered within the social and political structures of Japan. He translated many books and journals into Japanese on a wide variety of subjects, including chemistry, the arts, military and society, and published many books (in multiple volumes) and journals himself describing Western society, his own philosophy and change, etc.

Fukuzawa appeared on the 10,000 yen banknote engraved by Oshikiri Katsuzō.

Fukuzawa was one of the most influential people ever that helped Japan modernize into the country it is today. He never accepted any high position and remained a normal Japanese citizen for his whole life. By the time of his death, he was revered as one of the founders of modern Japan. All of his work was written and was released at a critical juncture in the Japanese society and uncertainty for the Japanese people about their future after the signing of the Unequal treaties, their realization in the weakness of the Japanese government at the time (Tokugawa Shogunate) and its inability to repel the American and European influence. It should also be noted that there were bands of samurai that forcefully opposed the Americans and Europeans and their friends through murder and destruction. Fukuzawa was in danger of his life as a samurai group killed one of his colleagues for advocating policies like those of Fukuzawa. Fukuzawa wrote at a time when the Japanese people were undecided on whether they should be bitter about the American and European forced treaties and imperialism, or to understand the West and move forward. Fukuzawa greatly aided the ultimate success of the pro-modernization forces.

Fukuzawa appeared on the 10,000-yen banknote in the 1984 and 2004 issues, and has been compared to Benjamin Franklin in the United States. Franklin appears on the similarly-valued $100 bill. Although all other figures appearing on Japanese banknotes changed when the 2004 series was released, Fukuzawa remained on the 10,000-yen note. His image was eventually replaced by Shibusawa Eiichi in 2024.

Fukuzawa Yukichi was a firm believer that Western education surpassed Japan's. However, he did not like the idea of parliamentary debates. As early as 1860, Fukuzawa Yukichi traveled to Europe and the United States. He believed that the problem in Japan was the undervalued mathematics and science. Also, these suffered from a "lack of the idea of independence". The Japanese conservatives were not happy about Fukuzawa's view of Western education. Since he was a family friend of conservatives, he took their stand to heart. Fukuzawa later came to state that he went a little too far.

One word sums up his entire theme and that is "independence". Fukuzawa Yukichi believed that national independence was the framework to society in the West. However, to achieve this independence, as well as personal independence, Fukuzawa advocated Western learning. He believed that public virtue would increase as people became more educated.

Former Residence of Fukuzawa Yukichi

Fukuzawa Yukichi's former residence in the city of Nakatsu in Ōita Prefecture

Fukuzawa Yukichi's childhood home in the Rusui-cho neighbourhood of the city of Nakatsu in Ōita Prefecture still exists. It is located on the lower reaches of the Nakatsu River, almost due east of Nakatsu Castle (33°36′26″N 131°11′27″E / 33.60722°N 131.19083°E / 33.60722; 131.19083). Fukuzawa Yukichi was born in 1835 in the Nakatsu Domain warehouse in Osaka and the family returned to Nakatsu after his father's death when he was 18 months old. He lived in this house in Nakatsu until age 19. The structure is a typical samurai residence of the late Edo Period and is a one-story wooden, thatch roof building with two 6-tatami, one 8-tatami, and one 4.5 tatami rooms. The north of the main building is a two-story kura storehouse with a tile roof. In 1971 this former residence and the ruins of a former residence across the street were designated as a National Historic Site. The house and the adjacent Fukuzawa Yukichi Memorial Hall, which displays the original manuscript of Gakaku no Susume and Fukuzawa Yukichi's personal belongings, are the major tourist attractions of this city. It is located approximately a 15-minute walk from Nakatsu Station on the JR Kyushu Nippō Main Line.

Bibliography

Original Japanese books

  1. English-Japanese dictionary (増訂華英通語 Zōtei Kaei Tsūgo, 1860)
  2. Things western (西洋事情 Seiyō Jijō, 1866, 1868 and 1870)
  3. Rifle instruction book (雷銃操法 Raijyū Sōhō, 1867)
  4. Guide to travel in the western world (西洋旅案内 Seiyō Tabiannai, 1867)
  5. Records of the eleven treaty countries (条約十一国記 Jyōyaku Jyūichi-kokki, 1867)
  6. Western clothes, food, and housing (西洋衣食住 Seiyō Isyokujyū, 1867)
  7. Handbook for soldiers (兵士懐中便覧 Heishi Kaicyū Binran, 1868)
  8. Illustrated book of physical sciences (訓蒙窮理図解 Kinmō Kyūri Zukai, 1868)
  9. Outline of the western art of war (洋兵明鑑 Yōhei Meikan, 1869)
  10. Pocket almanac of the world (掌中万国一覧 Shōcyū Bankoku-Ichiran, 1869)
  11. English parliament (英国議事院談 Eikoku Gijiindan, 1869)
  12. Sino-British diplomatic relations (清英交際始末 Shin-ei Kosai-shimatsu, 1869)
  13. All the countries of the world, for children written in verse (世界国尽 Sekai Kunizukushi, 1869)
  14. Daily lesson for children (ひびのおしえ Hibi no Oshie, 1871) - These books were written for Fukuzawa's first son Ichitarō and second son Sutejirō.
  15. Book of reading and penmanship for children (啓蒙手習の文 Keimō Tenarai-no-Fumi, 1871)
  16. Encouragement of learning (学問のすゝめ Gakumon no Susume, 1872–1876)
  17. Junior book of ethics with many tales from western lands (童蒙教草 Dōmō Oshie-Gusa, 1872)
  18. Deformed girl (かたわ娘 Katawa Musume, 1872)
  19. Explanation of the new calendar (改暦弁 Kaireki-Ben, 1873)
  20. Bookkeeping (帳合之法 Chōai-no-Hō, 1873)
  21. Maps of Japan for children (日本地図草紙 Nihon Chizu Sōshi, 1873)
  22. Elementary reader for children (文字之教 Moji-no-Oshie, 1873)
  23. How to hold a conference (会議弁 Kaigi-Ben, 1874)
  24. An Outline of a Theory of Civilization (文明論之概略 Bunmeiron no Gairyaku, 1875)
  25. Independence of the scholar's mind (学者安心論 Gakusya Anshinron, 1876)
  26. On the separation of powers (分権論 Bunkenron, 1877)
  27. Popular economics (民間経済録 Minkan Keizairoku, 1877)
  28. Collected essays of Fukuzawa (福澤文集 Fukuzawa Bunsyū, 1878)
  29. On currency (通貨論 Tsūkaron, 1878)
  30. Popular discourse on people's rights (通俗民権論 Tsūzoku Minkenron, 1878)
  31. Popular discourse on national rights (通俗国権論 Tsūzoku Kokkenron, 1878)
  32. Transition of people's way of thinking (民情一新 Minjyō Isshin, 1879)
  33. On the National Diet (国会論 Kokkairon, 1879)
  34. Commentary on the current problems (時事小言 Jiji Shōgen, 1881)
  35. On general trends of the times (時事大勢論 Jiji Taiseiron, 1882)
  36. On the imperial household (帝室論 Teishitsuron, 1882)
  37. On armament (兵論 Heiron, 1882)
  38. On moral training (徳育如何 Tokuiku-Ikan, 1882)
  39. On the independence of learning (学問之独立 Gakumon-no Dokuritsu, 1883)
  40. On the national conscription (全国徴兵論 Zenkoku Cyōheiron, 1884)
  41. Popular discourse on foreign diplomacy (通俗外交論 Tsūzoku Gaikōron, 1884)
  42. On Japanese womanhood (日本婦人論 Nihon Fujinron, 1885)
  43. On gentlemen's moral life (士人処世論 Shijin Syoseiron, 1885)
  44. On moral conduct (品行論 Hinkōron, 1885)
  45. On association of men and women (男女交際論 Nannyo Kosairon, 1886)
  46. On Japanese manhood (日本男子論 Nihon Nanshiron, 1888)
  47. On reverence for the Emperor (尊王論 Sonnōron, 1888)
  48. Future of the Diet; Origin of the difficulty in the Diet; Word on the public security; On land tax (国会の前途 Kokkai-no Zento; Kokkai Nankyoku-no Yurai; Chian-Syōgen; Chisoron, 1892)
  49. On business (実業論 Jitsugyōron, 1893)
  50. One hundred discourses of Fukuzawa (福翁百話 Fukuō Hyakuwa, 1897)
  51. Foreword to the collected works of Fukuzawa (福澤全集緒言 Fukuzawa Zensyū Cyogen, 1897)
  52. Fukuzawa sensei's talk on the worldly life (福澤先生浮世談 Fukuzawa Sensei Ukiyodan, 1898)
  53. Discourses of study for success (修業立志編 Syūgyō Rittishihen, 1898)
  54. Autobiography of Fukuzawa Yukichi (福翁自伝 Fukuō Jiden, 1899)
  55. Reproof of "the essential learning for women"; New essential learning for women (女大学評論 Onnadaigaku Hyōron; 新女大学 Shin-Onnadaigaku, 1899)
  56. More discourses of Fukuzawa (福翁百余話 Fukuō Hyakuyowa, 1901)
  57. Commentary on the national problems of 1877; Spirit of manly defiance (明治十年丁丑公論 Meiji Jyūnen Teicyū Kōron; 瘠我慢の説 Yasegaman-no Setsu, 1901)

English translations

See also

Notes

  1. "Security Features of Bank of Japan Notes- 10,000 yen Note (Shotoku Taishi), 5,000 yen Note (Shotoku Taishi), 1,000 yen Note (Hirobumi Ito) and 500 yen Note (Tomomi Iwakura) - : 日本銀行 Bank of Japan". Bank of Japan. Retrieved 2025-01-03.
  2. ^ Nishikawa (1993)
  3. ^ Hopper, Helen M. (2005). Fukuzawa Yukichi : from samurai to capitalist. New York: Pearson/Longman. ISBN 978-0321078025. OCLC 54694712.
  4. 森田, 康夫 (1996). 福沢諭吉と大坂 (in Japanese). 和泉書院. p. 126. ISBN 978-4-87088-820-3. ウェーランドの『モラル・サイヤンス』( F.Wayland : The Element of Moral Science)の影響は、その意味からも福沢思想にとって決定的意義をもっていた。
  5. Dilworth (2012)
  6. Métraux, Daniel A. (2011). "Democratic Trends in Meiji Japan". Association for Asian Studies. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
  7. Dilworth & Hurst (2008)
  8. Adas, Stearns & Schwartz (1993, p. 37).
  9. Isomura, Yukio; Sakai, Hideya (2012). (国指定史跡事典) National Historic Site Encyclopedia. 学生社. ISBN 978-4311750403.(in Japanese)
  10. "福沢諭吉旧居" (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  11. Adas, Stearns & Schwartz (1993, p. 36).

References

Further reading

External links

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