Figure 1.--Here is Crown Prince Akihito in his Gakushuin (Peers) primary school uniform, probably about1940 when he first entered the school. It is a little different than the dark blue uniform. I think it may be the summer uniform. Notice his book satchel. I am not sure what he is saluting. There may have been a flag for the stidents to salute when they entered the school grounds.

We do not yet have many details on Prince Akihito's early education. We know that he actually attended schools rather being educated by tutors. This process began with his grandfather Emperor Yoshihito, in at least a pro-forma way. His father Emperor Hirohito did actually study, although apecial class was carefully prepared for him. Thus it was not a departure from tradition for Prince Akihito to attend a school--despite the public ideology of divinity at thec time. What we do not know if a special class was prepared for him as was the caseof his father. This must have been discussed in detail within the family and court officials. We are not sure about the details as to who was involved in these discussions and Emperor Hirohito's opinion on the matter. All we know at this time is the Prince Akihito attended regular schools. The school chosen for him was the same as the one attended by his grandfather and father--Gakushuin Primary School in Shinjuku Ward. Gakushuin was established for the imperial and noble families by the Emperor Komei in Kyoto (1847). It became known as the "Peers School". The school moved to Tokyo in the early years of the Meiji Restoration (1877). We believe that Prince Akihito entered the school at age 7 about 1940. He attended during World War II. We have photographs of the Prince his school uniforms about 1941 (figure 1). Gakushuin had acadet-style uniform. We are not sure what the school did during the American bombing campaign which destroyed much of Tokyo. Emperor Hirohito refused to leave the Imperial Palace in Tokyo even after the air raids began. He stated that he desired to share the hardships of his subjects. The American bombers avoided the Imperial Palace, but must of the rest of Tokyo was destroyed in the bombing and resulting fires. We are not sure what happened to the school. When the bombing began to become serious, both Prince Akihito and his his younger brother, Prince Yoshi (Prince Hitachi) were evacuated to Nikko for safty (late 1944). After Japan surrenderes and the American intentions became clear, Prince Akihito and his brother retuned to Tokyo and the Gakushuin School. He continued at the same school for his secondary studies. As a teenager, Prince Akihito must have observed the huge change in Japanese society and nature of the monarchy as Japan surrendered and the American occupation commenced. I do not know if he has ever written about this period. After the War as part of the dempcritization of Japan, Gakushuin adopted a more open enrollment policy. Akihito graduated from Gakushuin Upper Secondary School in 1952.

Royal Tradition

We do not yet have many details on Prince Akihito's early education. We know that he actually attended schools rather being educated by tutors. This process began with his grandfather Emperor Yoshihito, in at least a pro-forma way. His father Emperor Hirohito did actually study, although apecial class was carefully prepared for him. Thus it was not a departure from tradition for Prince Akihito to attend a school--despite the public ideology of divinity at thec time. What we do not know if a special class was prepared for him as was the caseof his father. This must have been discussed in detail within the family and court officials. We are not sure about the details as to who was involved in these discussions and Emperor Hirohito's opinion on the matter. All we know at this time is the Prince Akihito attended regular schools.

Gakushuin Peers School (1847- )

The school chosen for him was the same as the one attended by his grandfather and father--Gakushuin Primary School in Shinjuku Ward. Gakushuin was established for the imperial and noble families by the Emperor Komei in Kyoto (1847). It became known as the "Peers School". The school moved to Tokyo in the early years of the Meiji Restoration (1877). Itwasrun as a state, but hardly public institution. The school eventually began admitting children of wealthy commoners. A comparable, but separate institution was estanlished for women. Notable alumni in addition to the imperial family include the author Yukio Mishima as well as John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono. The Gakushūin schools became a private school institution after World war II. The educational program was widenened to include a pre-school and university. Many Japanese today continue to see the Gakushuin system and the imperial schools.

Gakushuin Primary School (1940-46?)

We believe that Prince Akihito entered the school at age 7 about 1940. He attended during World War II. We have photographs of the Prince his school uniforms about 1941 (figure 1). Gakushuin had a cadet-style uniform. We are not sure what the school did during the American bombing campaign which destroyed much of Tokyo. Emperor Hirohito refused to leave the Imperial Palace in Tokyo even after the air raids began. He stated that he desired to share the hardships of his subjects. The American bombers avoided the Imperial Palace, but must of the rest of Tokyo was destroyed in the bombing and resulting fires. We are not sure what happened to the school. When the bombing began to become serious, both Prince Akihito and his his younger brother, Prince Yoshi (Prince Hitachi) were evacuated to Nikko for safty (late 1944). After Japan surrenderes and the American intentions became clear, Prince Akihito and his brother retuned to Tokyo and the Gakushuin School.

Gakushuin Secondary School (1946?-52)

Prince Akihito continued at the same school for his secondary studies. The school uniform was similar to the cadet unifirm wore in primary school, only with long rather than short pants. They also had British style overcoats. As a teenager, Prince Akihito must have observed the huge change in Japanese society and nature of the monarchy as Japan surrendered and the American occupation commenced. I do not know if he has ever written about this period. After the War as part of the dempcritization of Japan, Gakushuin adopted a more open enrollment policy. Akihito graduated from Gakushuin Upper Secondary School in 1952.

Created: 7:09 AM 5/24/2009
Last updated: 7:09 AM 5/24/2009