Abstract
In this study, I discuss the history of Musashino Gakuin in Saitama, which was established as a national reform school in 1919, and specifically its practice developed based on educational philosophy. The research methods, focusing on the educational theory of the founding director Syuntai Kikuchi (1875-1972), analyze how his educational policy was accepted among the staff. The following three points are clarified.
First, I examine the background of staff members and the educational structure of Musashino Gakuin during its early years. I then show that the practice of Musashino Gakuin through Kikuchi reflected the elements of holistic education and advocacy of children’s rights promoted by the Taisho new education movement.
Second, I examine Morio Munakata (1891-1961), who worked at Musashino Gakuin for 14 years while receiving guidance from Kikuchi. He went on to become director of Hata Gakuin, a reform school in Nagano Prefecture, in 1935. His practice reflects of Kikuchi’s policies while demonstrating the changes in educational policy carried out by regional reform school directors during the war.
Third, I examine the major changes in educational policy carried out by Takaharu Kumano (1882-1975), who was appointed as Kikuchi’s successor. He promoted education in accordance with the war footing, and advanced the reform of Musashino Gakuin. At this time, Noboru Ishiwara (1893-1984) et al., who had worked under Kikuchi, resisted Kumano’s policies, leading to conflict between staff over educational policy.
After World War II, Kumano retired in 1946, and Ishiwara’s education policy became accepted in the field of child welfare. Regarding the educational policy of Musashino Gakuin, Kikuchi in his later years also criticized the policy of Kumano while lauding that of Ishiwara.
