Nihon Go Gakko (Seattle) facts for kids
The Nihon Go Gakko (シアトル日本語学校), also known as the Japanese Language School (JLS), is a very old and important building in King County, Washington. It's on a special list of historic places in the United States. This school is located near the Seattle Chinatown-International District and is part of the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington (JCCCW). The JLS offers classes for both kids and adults who want to learn the Japanese language. It was first called Kokugo Gakko and is the oldest Japanese language school in all of North America!
In 2003, the Nikkei Heritage Association of Washington and the JLS joined together. They formed the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington (JCCCW). This group is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, which means it's a charity that helps the community. Since then, the Japanese Language School has become the most important program of the JCCCW.
Contents
History of the Japanese Language School
How the School Started
The Japanese Language School first opened its doors in 1902. It was on the second floor of the Furuya Company building in Seattle's Pioneer Square. The very first class had only four students and was taught by Yoshio Shibayama. By 1907, the school had grown to 48 students.
In 1913, the school moved to its current home. This new spot is at Weller and 16th Street. The Japanese community in Seattle helped raise money to add more space to the building. This extension was finished in 1918.
Growing Bigger and Helping Adults
The school kept growing! By 1920, there were seven teachers and 251 students learning Japanese. Ten years later, in 1930, the school had 24 teachers and more than 1,000 students.
In 1938, the school started offering evening classes for adults. At its busiest time, nearly 2,000 students came to the school. They would spend two hours there each day, five days a week, after their regular school classes.
During and After World War II
When World War II began, many Japanese Americans living in the area were forced to move. They were sent to special camps called internment camps. During this time, the U.S. military used the school building. It became a training place for the United States Army Air Forces.
After World War II ended, Japanese Americans began to return to Seattle. The school building was then used as a hostel. A hostel is like a simple hotel. It gave many returning Japanese Americans a place to live. They stayed there while they looked for new homes and jobs. People often called it the "Hunt Hotel." This was because many of them had been held at the Minidoka internment camp in Hunt, Idaho. More than 130 people lived in the school's classrooms for almost 15 years. They were trying to rebuild their lives after the war.
The School Today
Today, the Nihon Go Gakko building is home to the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington. This center was formed when the Nikkei Heritage Association of Washington (NHAW) and the JLS joined together. The JLS is still used by the JCCCW to teach and share Japanese language and culture with everyone.
See also
- History of the Japanese in Seattle
