The Development of a Curriculum for Handicraft Education in the Early Showa Era

A Comparison of Elementary Schools Attached to Higher Normal Schools

Abstract

This paper aims to clarify the elementary school curriculum of craft education in the early Showa era. The method of study is a comparison of the curricula created by teachers at Elementary Schools Attached to Higher Normal Schools. I compared the characteristics of the elements that constitute the curriculum (such as teaching materials and subject matter). The study found that the curricula were strongly influenced by the teachers’ views on handicraft (such as art, industry, crafts, expression, play etc.).