Gakushūin

The Gakushūin or Peers School (Gakushūin School Corporation), initially known as Gakushūjo, is a Japanese educational institution in Tokyo, originally established to educate the children of Japan's nobility. The original school expanded from its original mandate of educating the royal family and has since become a network of institutions which encompasses preschool through tertiary-level education. The Peers' School was founded in 1847 by Emperor Ninkō in Kyoto. Its purpose was to educate the children of the Imperial aristocracy (kuge). Prior to the disestablishment of the Peerage in 1947, commoners had restricted access to Gakushuin, with limited slots only to the Elementary School and Middle School. In 1947, with the US mandated disestablishment of the Kazoku system, enrollment in Gakushuin was fully opened up to the general public. The administration of the school was transferred to the Ministry of Education at this time. Prior to 1947, Gakushuin was administered by the Imperial Household Agency. Emperor Ninko had four maxims inscribed on the walls of the Gakushūin building, including Walk in the paths trodden by the feet of the great sages. Revere the righteous canons of the empire. He that has not learned the sacred doctrines, how can he govern himself? He that is ignorant of the classics, how can he regulate his own conduct? The school was moved to Tokyo in 1877. Its new purpose was to educate the children of the modern aristocracy. Members of the Imperial Family continue to study at Gakushūin. 1847: founded as Peers' School 1877: the school was established in Tokyo 1884: Gakushūin became an Imperial institution. 1885: Peeresses' School was created 1947: Gakushūin became a private institution.