Zen and Philosophy

Chapter 8. Gakushuin in Tokyo: A Year of Transition (1909–1910)

Chapter 8 Gakushūin in Tokyo A Year of Transition (1909–1910) Nishida’s gamble to move to Tokyo paid off handsomely. On the home front, he was able to rent a brand-new house in Nishi-ökubo,1 adjacent to the estate of Marquis Maeda Toshinari. This arrangement was made possible by Ishikawa Ryüzö, who was working for the Maeda family.2 The house was situated in a good school district, which was a prime concern for Nishida, who wanted his children to get the best education possible. There was also a tramline nearby, providing a convenient commute to Gakushüin in Mejiro.3 The Peers School, Gakushüin, established in 1877, was for the sons4 (and separately the daughters) of the Meiji aristocracy, or kazoku.5 As of 1884 all kazoku boys were required to attend Gakushüin, which aimed to prepare them to be citizens in the modern world.6 Gakushüin took as its model the practice of the European aristocracy, especially that of the British, whereby young men of the royal family were trained not only in learning skills but were also expected to take up military service.7 Because of the twofold emphasis, distinguished men with military or literary careers served as president of the school.8 The president at the time of Nishida’s appointment was General Nogi Maresuke,9 hero of the Russo-Japanese War. Nogi was appointed on the personal wish of Emperor Mutsuhito. Nogi, a man of steadfast loyalty , accepted the position.10 It was a curious fate for Nishida to end up working with Nogi, for it was under Nogi’s command that his younger brother had been killed in action. It is perhaps understandable that Nishida did not have a high opinion of Nogi as a general, although he unquestionably respected him as a man of sincerity.11 Nogi emphasized a spirit of bushidö (the warrior’s code) in his training methods, which valued simplicity and mettle and detested Gakushū in in Tokyo (1909–1910) sloth and feebleness. In his eyes the younger generation of aristocrats were spoiled, pampered in their Westernized luxurious lifestyle, and hence needed retraining. He added horseback riding as a regular physical education requirement.12 Nogi had little sympathy for those students who were engaged in literary activities. There had been a literary fever among the students, who embraced Western ideals and extolled a lofty individualism. These students had formed various literary groups. Such graduates as Mushanoköji Saneatsu,13 Shiga Naoya,14 Arishima Takeo,15 and their juniors, Arishima Ikuma,16 Yamanouchi Hideo (or Satomi Ton),17 and Yanagi Muneyoshi formed the Shirakaba (White Birch) Group in April 1910 and began publishing a monthly magazine, Shirakaba. Nogi’s educational philosophy diametrically opposed the literary interests of students. Had his appointment in 1907 to Gakushüin come a few years earlier, the Shirakaba Group might never have been born—what a loss that would have been to the history of modern Japanese literature! Nogi succeeded in implementing his strict measures because he had the unquestionable support of the students’ parents. Many students, however, felt Nogi’s measures were too restrictive, and once they graduated from Gakushüin and entered universities, not a few dedicated themselves to the pursuit of joie de vivre—but that is another story. Since 1906 Gakushüin had observed the beginning of the school year in April (instead of September) in conformity with the rest of the elementary and secondary schools throughout Japan.18 Therefore, Nishida’s appointment as professor came in the middle of the school year. This practice apparently was not uncommon in those days. On Saturday morning, September 11, Nishida and D. T. Suzuki, standing side by side, were introduced to the students as new instructors at the opening ceremony of the second quarter. Nishida and Suzuki were wearing the instructors’ uniform, which was designed after a European military uniform, complete with a saber. On this day Nishida saw President Nogi and other professors and administrators for the first time. In the afternoon he proceeded to Hongö, called on Tokunö Bun, Motora Yüjirö, and Ueda Seiji. He dined at the Uedas’ and returned home past 10 p.m. Nishida was put in charge of the German section, succeeding Sakurai Masataka, who had moved to the Eighth Higher School in July.19 Because students chose French or German as their second foreign language , it is not clear from the class lists who took Nishida’s German...