Iwakuni Educational Museum of Archive Collection (岩国学校教育資料館)

Iwakuni Educational Museum of Archive Collection (岩国学校教育資料館)

The Iwakuni Educational Museum of Archive Collection (岩国学校教育資料館) is located in the building of Iwakuni Gakko (Iwakuni School) (岩国学校), next to Iwakuni Elementary School in Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture.

Iwakuni Gakko (岩国学校)

In an effort to modernize the education system, Japan's Meiji government issued the Education System Order in 1872.  However, as early as December 1870, Yoshikawa Tsunetake, the governor of Iwakuni Domain (formerly the domain lord), established the Iwakuni Domain School Ordinance.  This ordinance led to the creation of public elementary and middle schools, as well as language schools, girls' schools, and medical schools.

At the time, learning about foreign products and technologies was crucial for Japan’s modernization.  As a result, particular emphasis was placed on language schools aimed at teaching foreign languages.  In January 1871, the educational system was revised again, lowering the target age for students and determining the location of Iwakuni Gakko.

On February 2, 1871, Iwakuni Gakko officially opened.  The following year, the Iwakuni English Language Institute (岩国英国語学所) was established, and an Englishman named Stevens was invited from Kobe to teach.  He taught English, as well as arithmetic, algebra, astronomy, and physics.

Iwakuni Gakko Building

The existing Iwakuni Gakko building was constructed in 1871.  Initially, it was a two-story structure, with the upper floor serving as a faculty room and the lower floor used as classrooms for middle school students.  In June of the following year, a third-floor tower featuring arched windows and exterior shutters was added, giving it a unique blend of Western and Japanese architectural styles.

The building continued to serve as the main structure of Nishikimi Elementary School.  As student numbers grew, the building was repurposed for specialized classrooms, including a music room and a health room.

When the Iwakuni Elementary School (formerly Nishikimi Elementary School) was rebuilt in 1907, the original building was relocated to its current site for preservation.

Iwakuni Educational Museum of Archive Collection (岩国学校教育資料館)

In 1969, the building was designated as a cultural property by Yamaguchi Prefecture for being a unique example of early Meiji-period school architecture.  After restoration was completed in 1972, the building was opened as the Iwakuni Educational Museum of Archive Collection.

Textbook Exhibition Room

Ichisuke Fujioka Memorial Corner

On the first floor is the Textbook Exhibition Room (教科書展示室), showcasing textbooks from different historical periods, ranging from the days of terakoya (temple schools) to the present day.  Also on the first floor is the Ichisuke Fujioka Memorial Corner (藤岡市助記念コーナー), dedicated to Ichisuke Fujioka, one of the founders of Toshiba and a key figure in Japan’s electrification.  On the second floor is the Local History Room (郷土資料室), which showcases artifacts related to the Kikkawa clan (former lords of Iwakuni) and notable local figures from the Edo period to the present.  The second floor also houses the Farming & Harvesting Tools Exhibition Room (農耕・収穫用具展示室) and the Production & Silk Reeling Tools Exhibition Room (生産・製糸用具展示室), which display tools related to papermaking, farming, and weaving—major industries in Iwakuni during the feudal era.

Normal opening hours:
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Closed on:
Mondays (the museum will remain open if Monday is a holiday and will close the following day) and from December 29 to January 3