A Westernized Aspect in a Moral Schoolbook, "Minkadoumoukai"

"Minkadoumoukai" by Sukekiyo Aoki (unknown-1909) was published in Meiji Era. The first and the second volumes were published in 1874, in which he collected ethical topics from Japanese, Chinese, and Western books. The third and forth volumes were published in 1876, which were translated from a moral schoolbook "Morals for The Young; or, Good Principles instilling Wisdom" written by Emma Willard (1787-1879) in the United State of America. The fifth volume was published in 1876 that explained about "the right," "the duty," "civilization" and "enlightenment." This book was recommended by the Ministry of Education as a moral book for young children together with "Doumou-osiegusa" translated by Yukichi Fukuzawa.The ethical thought in this book looks confused. This book by Aoki has been rarely paid attention by researchers of education history for several reasons. But the book is a quite interesting source for examinations when we look into the confusion of the ethical thoughts in it as an outcome of westernization, that is to say, a product of conflicts between the western and Japanese moral thoughts since Japan started westernization. A purpose of this paper describes the aspect of the ethical conflicts in Aoki's book. The result has 3 points. First, this book told children consistently the ethic based on Confucianism, even if using the new western words, Secondly, children could learn names of western things and words. Thirdly, children learned meanings of the right and the duty within the concept of nation-state, as Aoki wanted children to learn the new political system