The purpose of this research is to explore the characteristics of the Normal Kindergarten Course at a university in Japan through its curriculum and the practices of the graduates, as well as identify the traits and context of the information they used. Elizabeth Patton Milliken (1860-1951), a Presbyterian missionary, founded the Normal Kindergarten Course at Sakurai Women's school in 1884, which pioneered kindergarten training in Japan, graduating 43 students until its closing in 1898. The two characteristics of the mission school program are as follows: 1) Training kindergarten teachers as independent professionals in kindergartens, and establishing the Normal Kindergarten Course as an elective. 2) Emphasizing Froebelian kindergarten ideas based on Christianity. These characteristics influenced the practices of the upper middle class educated female graduates. Because they understood Christianity deeply, they adopted the Froebelian ideal of what a kindergarten should be. In addition, they understood English, so they could directly integrate information from American kindergartens. As a result, these kindergarten teachers were successful in enhancing the professional educational practices in Japan. The Christian kindergarten training school was formerly regarded as a minor position, as compared to the public sector. However, as has been noted, the Normal Kindergarten Course at Sakurai Women's School led the Japanese kindergarten training program in terms of quality and quantity.

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