Hozumi Nobushige facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hozumi Nobushige
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Hozumi Nobushige
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| Born | August 23, 1855 Uwajima Domain, Japan
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| Died | April 7, 1926 (aged 70) |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Occupation | Legal Scholar, Educator |
Hozumi Nobushige (born August 23, 1855 – died April 7, 1926) was an important Japanese leader and legal expert during the Meiji period. He helped shape Japan's laws and education system. He was known as a baron, which is a special title of honor.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Hozumi Nobushige was born in Uwajima Domain, which is now Ehime Prefecture. His family were scholars who studied Japanese history and culture.
Studying Abroad
Hozumi went to the Kaisei Gakko, which later became the famous Tokyo Imperial University. After that, he traveled overseas to study from 1876 to 1881.
He first went to Great Britain. There, he studied at the University of London and became a barrister, which is a type of lawyer. Next, he traveled to Germany. He continued his studies at the Humboldt University of Berlin.
Career and Contributions
When Hozumi returned to Japan, he became a professor at Tokyo Imperial University. He taught about German law and how different countries' laws compare.
Founding a University
In 1885, Hozumi helped start the English Law School. This school later became Chuo University, a well-known university in Japan.
Drafting Japan's Civil Code
In 1888, Hozumi Nobushige received the first ever doctorate of law degree in Japan. This was a very high honor for a legal expert.
Later, in 1898, he worked with two other important lawyers, Ume Kenjirō and Tomii Masaaki. Together, they were asked to create Japan's Civil Code. This is a very important set of laws that deals with things like family, property, and contracts.
Political Roles
Hozumi Nobushige also served in the Japanese government. In 1890, he was appointed to the House of Peers. This was like a high-level parliament or senate. In 1916, he joined the Privy Council, which advised the Emperor.
In 1915, he was given the title of danshaku, or baron. This was part of the kazoku system, which recognized important families in Japan.
Family and Legacy
Hozumi Nobushige had a son named Hozumi Shigeto, who also became a legal scholar. His brother, Hozumi Yatsuka, was an expert on the Japanese constitution.
The Hozumi Bridge
After Hozumi Nobushige passed away, people in Uwajima city wanted to build a statue to honor him. However, Hozumi had left special instructions in his will. He said that if people wanted to honor him, it would be better to build something useful, like a bridge, instead of a statue.
Because of his wishes, the "Hozumi Bridge" was built. It still stands in Uwajima city today. In 1998, Japan also honored him with a special commemorative postage stamp.
Images for kids
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"I would rather be a bridge used by everyone than be a statue." -- Nobushige Hozumi
