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Inazo Nitobe (1862 - 1933)

 Inazo Nitobe was born in Morioka, Iwate Prefecture, in 1862 (Bunkyu 2), as the third son of Jujiro Nitobe.  As a boy of seven, he was adopted by his uncle Tokitoshi Ohta and went to live with his uncle in Tokyo. After graduating from Sapporo Agriculture School, he continued his studies in America and Germany.  On his return to Japan, Dr. Nitobe held various positions in education, including professor at Tokyo and Kyoto Teikoku University and principal of Daiichi Kotogakkou, and taught many students who became leaders in Japanese society.  In 1911 (Meiji 44), he toured the United States as the first exchange professor from Japan, lecturing at six universities.  In Japan, he struggled to make up for Japan's late start in the education of women and devoted much energy to the establishment of the Tokyo Women's University, becoming its first president in 1918 (Taisho 7).

 Present when the League of Nations was established in 1920 (Taisho 9), he stayed in Geneva as its Assistant Director General, retiring from that post in 1926.   He also worked as Japan's Chief Director to the Institute of Pacific Relations, and devoted his life to peace.  In 1933 (Showa 8), he attended the Pacific Conference in Banff, Canada, as Japan's representative.  But illness struck, and he died on October 15th.   In 1984 (Showa 59), Japan placed his image on its 5,000 yen bill in honor of his contributions to the country.

Publications:  Bushido - the Soul of Japan (1900), Nougyou Honron (1899), Shuuyou (1911), and Yowatari no Michi (1912)

Return to related pages
The History of the Nitobe Memorial Museum
 2F-Dr. Inazo Nitobe Corner

At age 65 (from his days as a member of Peers)