Fukuzawa Yukichi

10 January 1835 – 3 February 1901

Fukuzawa Yukichi (1835-1901) was a Japanese author, educator, and reformer who became one of the most influential intellectuals of Meiji-era Japan. He founded Keio University and the newspaper Jiji-Shinpo, and his best-selling works such as An Encouragement of Learning championed Western science, independence, and civil society. His portrait appeared on the 10,000-yen banknote for decades in recognition of his role in Japan's modernization.

Comparing
Compare

Lived at the same time

Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Fukuzawa Yukichi.

Life events

Born in Osaka, Japan
10 January 1835

Fukuzawa Yukichi was born in Osaka, the son of a low-ranking samurai of the Okudaira Domain of Nakatsu.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Sent to Nagasaki to study Dutch and Western gunnery
1854

At his brother's urging he traveled to Nagasaki to learn Dutch, the language of Western learning in Japan at the time.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Education ✓
Studied Dutch learning at Ogata Koan's Tekijuku school in Osaka
1855

He enrolled at the famous Tekijuku academy, eventually becoming its head student.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Education ✓
Founded a school of Dutch studies in Edo, the origin of Keio University
1858

The small school he opened for his domain in Edo later grew into Keio Gijuku, today's Keio University.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Sailed to the United States aboard the Kanrin Maru
1860

He joined the first Japanese embassy to the United States as a volunteer aboard the escort ship Kanrin Maru, visiting San Francisco.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Traveled through Europe with the first Japanese embassy to Europe
1862

As a translator with the shogunate's 1862 mission he visited England, France, the Netherlands, Prussia, Russia, and Portugal, gathering material for his writings on the West.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Began publishing An Encouragement of Learning
1872 – 1876

The series of essays, opening with the famous line that heaven does not create one person above or below another, became one of the best-selling works of Meiji Japan.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Founded the newspaper Jiji-Shinpo
March 1882

He established the influential daily newspaper Jiji-Shinpo in Tokyo, using it as a platform for his views on modernization and national independence.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Died in Tokyo
3 February 1901

Fukuzawa died of a cerebral hemorrhage in Tokyo at the age of 66.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓