The history of Doshisha University began when its precursor Doshisha Academy was established in 1875. One can say that there would be no history of Doshisha University without the history of challenges faced by the founder Joseph Hardy Neesima (Jo Niijima). Here is an introduction to the history of Neesima’s challenges and the Doshisha spirit.
Founder Joseph Hardy Neesima is born.
He eventually aspires to study in America.
Jo Niijima, also known as Joseph Hardy Neesima, was born at the residence of Annaka Domain in Edo (present-day Tokyo) in 1843 as the first son of Tamiji Niijima, a feudal retainer of Annaka Domain in Joshu Province (present-day Gunma Prefecture). At the age of 10, he began to attend a school of Chinese studies (kangakusho) run by the domain. After much hard work, he became known as a genius, when he was still very young. At the age of 14, he was ordered by Katsuakira Itakura, the feudal lord of Annaka Domain, to take up Dutch studies.
Neesima reached the age of 20 at the end of the Edo Period. Japanese people in those days felt trapped and smothered in a feudal society. Seriously concerned about the future of Japan, he encountered a book on Christianity translated into Chinese. He was so impressed with the book that he began planning to stow away to reach the United States, where the gospel was freely preached.
Neesima stows away to travel to the U.S. in violation of the national ban on overseas travel.
At the age of 22, Neesima learned that a schooner owned by the Matsuyama Domain in Bitchu Province (present-day Okayama Prefecture) was bound for Hakodate, and boarded the ship with the permission of the feudal lord of Annaka Domain. After arriving in Hakodate, he decided to leave Japan for the United States in violation of the national ban on overseas travel. When he finally arrived in Boston, he had nowhere to go. Neesima, however, was able to gain the support of Mr. Hardy, the owner of the ship he took to Boston, and his wife. They were so impressed with his passion for learning that they helped him to enroll at Phillips Academy. They also witnessed his baptism as a Christian.
The first Japanese graduate from an overseas college
After graduating from Phillips Academy, he went on to enroll at Amherst College. He graduated from the college with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1870. He became the first Japanese national to earn a degree from a Western institution of higher education. He then studied at Andover Theological Seminary before returning to Japan as a Christian missionary. While being educated in the U.S., he found that people with a Christian educational background were demonstrating their leadership in various fields, including politics, economy and culture in the U.S. Neesima believed that character-building through Christian education would play a significant role in a modern nation. He then began to dream of providing education based on Christianity in Japan to develop individuals respecting conscience and liberty.
Doshisha Academy is established.
After returning to Japan for the first time in 10 years, Neesima began preparing to establish Doshisha Academy in Kyoto, the precursor to Doshisha University. He believed that in order for Japan to become a free and democratic modern nation, each individual’s personality and character must be fully respected. Therefore, he ensured that each student’s individuality was respected at Doshisha Academy as well.
The Purpose of establishing Japan’s first private university is publicized.
Neesima believed that to develop itself into a modern nation Japan had to establish traditional Western-style universities with departments specializing in theology, philosophy, literature, law, science, medicine and other disciplines. He began preparing to establish Doshisha University in 1882. At that time, there was only one university in Japan—The University of Tokyo, a public institution. He decided to establish a private university and publicized “The Purpose of the Foundation of Doshisha University” in 1888. As stated in “The Purpose,” he aspired to help students develop their own scale of values, enabling them to always make suitable decisions from a broad perspective with a future vision. He also aimed to develop students into individuals who can express their opinions and take action according to their conscience, and who can make use of the expertise they have learned to benefit their neighbors, their nation and world peace.
Neesima’s DNA is inherited by Doshisha University in an increasingly globalized world.
Doshisha University is celebrating its 143rd anniversary this year, at a time when the world is becoming increasingly globalized. At the same time, many diverse and often incompatible values are emerging in society. In a rapidly changing world environment, we are expected to make decisions on various changes on our own without depending on the judgment of our government or society and to take action decisively. Neesima emphasized the importance of liberty and conscience 143 years ago and then the need to develop individuals capable of making decisions on their own. One can say that individuals meeting such criteria are still needed in today’s globalized society.