Ryoichi & Fudeko Ishii, Museu no Japão
Ryoichi & Fudeko Ishii is a historic building that once served as a school in Yagawa and now functions as a museum documenting the lives and work of its founders. The site features restored wooden floors, large windows, and former classrooms that show how an educational institution operated in earlier times.
Ryoichi Ishii was born in 1867 and traveled to the United States in 1896 to study methods for supporting people with disabilities, before establishing the first school of its kind in Japan in 1897. Under Fudeko Ishii's leadership, the institution flourished, survived wars and hardship, and played a key role in shaping disability care in Japan after World War II.
The name honors Ryoichi and Fudeko Ishii, whose commitment to education and care for people with disabilities shaped this institution. The restored classrooms and learning spaces reflect how the school operated during a time of major social change, treating students with dignity and respect.
The grounds sit in a quiet area away from busy streets and are surrounded by trees and small streams, making it a peaceful place to explore. The restored rooms are easy to navigate, allowing visitors to understand the layout and daily operations of the school from its historical period.
Ryoichi Ishii met Helen Keller, the famous writer and disability advocate, while studying in America, which shaped his understanding of support and inclusion. He brought these internationally informed ideas back to Japan, making the school one of the first institutions of its kind to transform global knowledge into local practice.
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