The Gakushūin (学習院), or Gakushuin School Corporation (学校法人学習院), historically known as the Peers' School,[1] is a Japanese educational institution in Tokyo, originally established as Gakushūjo (学習所) to educate the children of Japan's nobility.[2] The original school expanded from its original mandate of educating the social elite and has since become a network of institutions which encompasses preschool through tertiary-level education.
The Peers' School was founded in 1847 by Emperor NinkōinKyoto and placed under the administration of the Imperial Household Agency.[3] Its purpose was to educate the children of the Imperial aristocracy (kuge).[4] 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 American-mandated disestablishment of the peerage system, enrollment in Gakushuin was fully opened to the general public. At the same time, administration of the school was transferred to the Ministry of Education.
Emperor Ninko had four maxims inscribed on the walls of the Gakushūin building,[5] including
The school was moved to Tokyo in 1877.[2] Its new purpose was to educate the children of the modern aristocracy. Members of the Imperial Family continue to study at Gakushūin.
The present-day Gakushuin School Corporation comprises the following institutions:[6]
In the novel Spring SnowbyYukio Mishima, set in the early 1910s, the characters Kiyoaki Matsugae and Shigekuni Honda attend the school.
35°43′08″N 139°42′40″E / 35.71889°N 139.71111°E / 35.71889; 139.71111
