- Founder of Waseda University
- Educator Shigenobu Okuma
- Statesman Shigenobu Okuma
- Okuma's Supporters and Associates
- Anecdotes
Shigenobu Ōkuma, the founder of Waseda University, was born on March 11, 1838 (February 16, 1838 on the Tenpō calendar, a lunar-solar calendar) as the first son of Nobuyasu Ōkuma, a samurai of the Saga han (feudal domain), and his wife, Miiko (the future Shigenobu Ōkuma was given the childhood name “Hachitarō”). Young Ōkuma studied at the Kōdōkan, a school for sons of samurai families in Saga, but he reacted negatively to the Hagakure (Hidden leaves) samurai philosophy peculiar to Saga han (feudal domain) and he was expelled from the Kōdōkan.
In the end of the Edo period, Shigenobu Ōkuma encountered a certain foreigner in Nagasaki: Guido H. F. Verbeck, a Christian missionary who not only preach Christianity but also opened Juku, a school, and taught Western learning. Verbeck possessed extensive knowledge and virtues, and Ōkuma learned a great deal from him about the international situation. At the time, the political situation was in the midst of tempestuous changes, and there was a great yearning for new Western knowledge, so Ōkuma planned to open a new Juku (school) to teach English and Western knowledge to Japanese youth. Together with friends and senior colleagues from the Saga han, Ōkuma opened “Chienkan school” in Gotō-cho, Nagasaki.
In March 1868 (Meiji 1), Ōkuma was placed in the posts of san'yo (junior councilor) and Judge of the Foreign Office, and displayed formidable skill in negotiating with the British Minister Sir Harry Smith Parkes over the imprisonment and execution of Japanese Christians. After this, Ōkuma’s abilities were acknowledged by the central government, and in December, he was appointed the Vice-Controller of the Foreign Office. After serving in taifu (Vice-Minister) of Finance the following year, he was appointed to the post of sangi (councilors) in 1870 (Meiji 3). Then in 1873 (Meiji 8), he was given the additional post of Finance Minister. Now in charge of the fiscal policies of the new Meiji government as one of “enlightened bureaucrat” (Kaimei-ha), Ōkuma became the central figure in Japan’s economic modernization.
In examining Ōkuma’s accomplishments, one cannot underestimate the importance of Azusa Ono. Ono assisted Ōkuma in establishing the Rikken Kaishintō (Constitutional Reform Party) and in founding Waseda University. In addition, he wrote extensively concerning liberalism and democracy.
Though Ōkuma led an extremely hectic schedule into his prime years, when he relocated to Waseda he had time to pursue his various hobbies.
The Ōkuma residence had a greenhouse, which housed dozens of rare species of orchids from around the world. It is well known that Ōkuma later started to grow melons in the greenhouse. Furthermore, the annual chrysanthemum viewing festival known as “Kankikukai,” was especially famous. It was held every November and attracted men of distinction from both inside and outside of government.
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Note: The following text has been reprinted and diverted from “Waseda Daigaku Hyakunenshi (Waseda Centennial History)” and “Zuroku—Ōkuma Shigenobu (Shigenobu Ōkuma: A Pictorial Record)”, both edited by Waseda University, and also “Episode—Ōkuma Shigenobu (Episodes in the Life of Shigenobu Ōkuma)” (supervising editors, Takayasu Okushima and Naomi Nakamura) |