Christopher Carrothers in Akita
1986 Volume 1986 Issue 18 Pages 25-33
Details
1986 Volume 1986 Issue 18 Pages 25-33
Adopting Western culture in Akita was one of the concerns of Governor Ishida, who, with Tonno, Principal of the Normal School serving concurrently as Chief of the Educational Bureau of the Prefecture, invited Carrothers to teach English for three years from 1879 to 1882 at the Preparatory Course attached to the Normal School.
What is conspicuous about Carrothers staying in this town is the four contributions he made to the local newspaper, each including an important problem, probably intended for enlightening the local people: namely, the reverence for the Emperor, the use of the newspaper, reform in agriculture, and the Christian view of the world.
He was rated rather high in the report presented to the Ministry of Education by the Governor, though in the discussion of the annual expenses in the Prefectural Assembly the opinions sharply divided as to the necessity of a foreign teacher. They did not renew his contract on his serving out his term, the reason reported to the Ministry of Education being for financial difficulties, but probably also because Ishida and Tonno were soon transferring to next posts, leaving few who would take after the matter.
