This public school was opened for common citizens in 1670 by Okayama Domain’s lord, Ikeda Mitsumasa. It aimed to educate local people, not only samurais but also common citizens. In 1701, his subordinate, Nagatada Tsuda, spent over 30 years to complete the “Hall of Education” which had almost the same exterior as the current building.
Former Shizutani School’s assembly hall is designated as a national treasure. The gabled, hipped roof and the flower-topped windows are impressive on the exterior. The original thatched roof was changed to Bizen tiles during a remodeling. Today, the spacious Lecture Hall sustained by 10 zelkova pillars is used for the traditional study of Confucius, with students neatly sitting on the floor.
Seibyo (Sacred Hall) honors Confucius who started the teaching of Confucian, and holds a golden statue of Confucius which is shown to the public for a few days a year. Two grand pistache trees in front of the Sacred Hall were grown from the seeds in the forest of Qufu in Shandong, China. In fall, their leaves turn into blazing yellow and red.
There is a shrine which reveres the founder Ikeda Mitsumasa, as well as a museum in the school building set up in 1905 where you can see the treasured information on Former Shizutani School.
Highlights
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The oldest public school in the world opened for common people.
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The national treasure, Lecture Hall, with the impressive reddish Bizen tile roof.
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The Sacred Hall with a golden Confucius statue and a museum are close by.
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