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* ''Birth: [[1843]]''

* ''Birth: [[1843]]''

* ''Death: 1928''

* ''Death: 1928''

* ''Full name: Reverend Dr. William Elliot Griffis''

* ''Full name: Reverend Dr. William Elliot Griffis''

In 1869 he visited Europe with the intention of taking a course in theology in the German universities, but his love for travel led him to decide that the best use he could make of his time was to see as much of the Old World as extensively as possible, which he did. Upon his return he took a course in the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Dutch Church at New Brunswick.  

 

In [[1869]] he visited Europe with the intention of taking a course in theology in the German universities, but his love for travel led him to decide that the best use he could make of his time was to see as much of the Old World as extensively as possible, which he did. Upon his return he took a course in the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Dutch Church at New Brunswick.  

About that time [[1867]] Japanese students were flocking to this country, and Dr. Griffis became much interested in their condition and formed many personal acquaintances with these young men. He wrote an article about that time in the New York "Independent," which attracted considerable attention. In [[1870]] there came an application from Japan for young men to teach physical science in that country, and one of the most progressive of the 300 feudal rulers of that country, [[Matsudaira Shungaku|Matsudaira ''Echizen no Kami'' Shungaku]], invited him, during that year, to enter upon the work. He accepted the call, and organized a school on the American model at [[Fukui]], and for a year lived alone in that strange country, witnessing sights never before seen by an American. At that time these 300 feudal barons had their own territory, and Dr. Griffis saw all sides of life between the extremes of the ruler and the outcast. He is now the only man of Caucasian race living who lived at a [[Daimyo|Daimyo's]] court and saw the old feudal system in operation. He helped to organize the school in [[Echizen province]], in which is now the terminus of the cross-island railroad in that county. Many of his students have since become prominent officers in the Japanese  

About that time [[1867]] Japanese students were flocking to the United States, and Dr. Griffis became much interested in their condition and formed many personal acquaintances with these young men. He wrote an article about that time in the New York "Independent," which attracted considerable attention. In [[1870]] there came an application from Japan for young men to teach physical science in that country, and ''daimyô'' [[Matsudaira Shungaku|Matsudaira ''Echizen no Kami'' Shungaku]] invited him, during that year, to enter upon the work. He accepted the call, and organized a school on the American model at [[Fukui]], and for a year lived alone in Japan, witnessing sights seen previously by only a very few other Americans. He may have been the only man of European descent who lived at a ''daimyô's'' court and saw the old feudal system in operation. He helped to organize the school in [[Echizen province]], and many of his students later became prominent officers in the Japanese government. He journeyed frequently into the regions of central and  

northern Japan and inspected their mines, gun factories, oil wells, silk-reeling apparatus, etc. When the ''[[han]]'' were [[abolition of the han|abolished]], most of his students left for the capital.

pleasant. He journeyed frequently into the regions of central and  

northern Japan and inspected their mines, gun factories, oil wells, silk-  

reeling apparatus, etc. About that time the feudal system of 300

[[Mikado]] at [[Tokyo]], the capital. His baron was summoned away and

most of his students left the capital.  

Having proposed to the Minister of Education, [[Oki Takato]],  

Having proposed to the [[Ministry of Education|Minister of Education]], [[Oki Takato]], in Tokyo, that a polytechnic school be established, Dr. Griffis was invited to undertake the work, and the plan was later [[Tokyo Imperial University]], where he remained three years. Here he also saw much of Japanese life, and had an audience with the [[Meiji Emperor]] and became acquainted with most of the members of the Cabinet [[Okubo Toshimichi|Ôkubo Toshimichi]], [[Kido Takayoshi]], [[Okuma Shigenobu|Ôkuma Shigenobu]], and others who led the great national movement which swung Japan from its ancient civilization into modern progress. For two years his oldest sister was with him, so that at their household the daughters as well as the sons of the prominent Japanese were entertained. Regarded as a learned man and made a member of their societies, he was able to come into contact with all classes of people, and traveled extensively in different portions of the country. His library at Ithaca contained many rare books published in the Japanese language, and he probably had the finest collection of general works upon Japan in the United States at that time.  

in Tokyo, that a polytechnic school be established, Dr. Griffis was  

invited to undertake the work, and the plan was later carried out.

sciences in the Imperial University, where he remained three years.  

Here he also saw much of Japanese life, and had an audience with the  

[[Emperor]] and became acquainted with most of the members of the  

Cabinet [[Okubo Toshimichi]], [[Kido Takayoshi]], [[Okuma Shigenobu]], and others who led the great national movement which swung Japan from its ancient civilization into modern progress. For two years his oldest sister was with him, so that at their household the daughters as well as the sons of the prominent Japanese were entertained. Regarded as a learned man and made a member of their societies, he was able to come into contact with all classes of people, and traveled extensively in different portions of the country. His library at Ithaca contains many rare books published  

in the Japanese language, and he has probably the finest collection of  

general works upon Japan in the United States.  

He returned to America in [[1874]], and for five years continued the  

He returned to America in [[1874]], and for five years continued the study of the language and literature of that country. The first two years of that period were spent in writing and lecturing throughout the United States. The first edition of "The Mikado's Empire" came out in August, [[1876]]. From this time until the [[Shimonoseki indemnity]] was returned to Japan copies of the chapter on "The [[Shimonoseki Affair]]" in the United States were sent to members of Congress, and Mr. Griffis agitated the subject in his lectures for years.  

study of the language and literature of that country. The first two  

years of that period were spent in writing and lecturing throughout  

the United States. The first edition of "The Mikado's Empire"  

came out in August, [[1876]]. From this time until the [[Shimonoseki indemnity]] was returned to Japan copies of the chapter on "The  

[[Shimonoseki Affair]]" in the United States were sent to members of  

Congress, and Mr. Griffis agitated the subject in his lectures for years.  

Although his masterwork, "The Mikado's Empire" is his best known  

Although his masterwork, "The Mikado's Empire" is his best known book, Dr. Griffis wrote four other notable books about Japan. These are "Fairy Tales of Old Japan", "[[Guido Verbeck|Verbeck]] of Japan," "A Maker of the New Orient," being a life of S. R. Brown; and a story, "In the Mikado's Service."

book, Dr. Griffis has written four other notable books about Japan.  

These are "Fairy Tales of Old Japan", "Verbeck of Japan," "A Maker of the New Orient," being a life of S. R. Brown; and a story, "In the Mikado's Service."

==External Links==

==External Links==