New information suggests a St Andrews school played a key role in revolutionising the education of Japanese women.
St Leonards was visited by the founder of one of Japan’s foremost universities as far back as 1895.
It is believed the trip undertaken by Madam Utako Shimoda inspired her to set about ensuring Japanese women were given the opportunity to enjoy a new spiritual and economic independence.
Keiko Ozeki, professor of English literature at Jissen Women’s University in Tokyo, visited St Leonards in August as part of her research into the life of Madam Shimoda.
After receiving a Christmas card from St Leonards, she recently got back in touch to provide the full story.
“Madam Shimoda lived in London from 1893 to 1895, to inspect women’s higher education in Europe after she had been asked to educate two princesses by the Japanese Emperor,” she said.
“While in London, she began to think that the education for ordinary girls was very important so she began to inspect many schools in Europe, especially schools only for girls.
“I believe that she visited St Leonards in 1895 and that she thought it was an ideal school.”
Inspired by her trip, Madam Shimoda returned to Japan and in 1899 established the Jissen Women’s Educational Institute. Today the institute includes the university, a junior college, a high school and a junior high school.
Although their visits were separated by more than 100 years, Keiko Ozeki knows that she and Madam Shimoda were left with fond recollections of their time in Fife.
“I believe that Madam Shimoda must have enjoyed her stay in St Andrews,” she said. “I have very beautiful and lovely memories of St Leonards myself.
“I love the old history and the beautiful nature,” she said. “Scottish people especially the school staff were very kind to me-they were lovely and warm and I hope that I can visit St Leonards again.”
St Leonards headmaster Michael Carslaw said, “It is great to see that the reputation of St Leonards has spread so far.”