Main Building, Okayama Prefectural Higher Women’s School, Okayama, c. 1920.

Main Building, Okayama Prefectural Higher Women’s School, Okayama, c. 1920, with a photo inset of “Principal Sugiyama”. Higher schools were Restoration-era college prep-like institutions, covering the rough equivalent of grades 9-12 in the west, using curriculum beyond the compulsory six years and standard 8 years of schooling mandated by the Ministry of Education. The Okayama Higher Women’s School was established in 1895 in this two-story wooden schoolhouse. In 1948, after Occupation-era reforms and restructuring, the school reopened with its current name, Okayama Prefectural Tsuyama Senior High School.

“The aim of high schools for girls is to give a general education of a high standard to women.

“… The course of study extends over 4 years, to which another year may be added if the circumstances of the locality demand it. Candidates for admission must be graduates of ordinary elementary schools, and be not less than twelve years of age, or they must have attainments equal to those of graduates.

“A domestic course may be provided for the benefit of those who want to study the subjects relating to domestic science; also high schools for girls may be established, which provide only domestic courses.

“Those who are admitted to the domestic course must be above the age of twelve, and also be graduates from ordinary elementary schools, or girls of superior learning. The course of study extends over four years.

“… Those who want to study one, or more, subjects in the domestic course, may be admitted as elective pupils.”

– Annual Report of the Minister of State for Education, Department of Education, 1919