How was “Kyoiku Chokugo” translated into English ?

Abstract

“Kyoiku Chokugo” was formally introduced abroad by Dairoku Kikuchi in1907. The official English translation is the Imperial Rescript on Education which was based on Kikuchi's tentative translation. The purpose of this paper is to clarify the characteristics of the authorized version.Kikuchi prepared his translation of the Imperial Rescript relative to Education for his lectures on Japanese education at the University of London. His version was criticized in the English scholars' circles in Japan, and some other versions appeared before long. However, Kikuchi didn't support these versions, especially those written in biblical English.After that, the Imperial Rescript on Education was translated faithfully from the original, keeping the solemn tone. It was translated as the fundamental principle of Japanese education in order to gain approval overseas. The key word “Kokutai” in Japanese was changed from Kikuchi's “national constitution” to “the fundamental character of Our Empire”, and this is the only free translation in the official version. At London University, Kikuchi pointed out the importance of “Kokutai” to the British citizens and explained its translation, which symbolized the national characteristics of Japan before World War II.