Encouragement of Learning, written by Fukuzawa Yukichi, is one of the most influential works of nineteenth-century Japan, published in a series between 1872 and 1876. Composed during the Meiji period, a time of rapid political and social transformation, the book advocates education as the foundation for both individual advancement and national progress. For Fukuzawa, learning was the key that would allow Japanese citizens to overcome rigid social hierarchies and prepare for modernity, becoming independent thinkers capable of contributing to the construction of a new society.
Rather than a fictional narrative, the work is expository and reflective, written in an accessible style aimed at ordinary readers. Fukuzawa emphasizes that all people are born equal, but social differences arise from unequal access to education. He criticizes blind dependence on authorities and outdated customs, arguing that true human dignity comes from personal effort in cultivating knowledge. The text also draws comparisons between Japan and Western nations, showing how education had served as the cornerstone of progress in modern societies abroad.
A central theme of the book is independence, both personal and national. Fukuzawa insists that an ignorant populace becomes submissive to leaders and vulnerable to foreign domination, while an educated citizenry ensures freedom, prosperity, and international respect. In this sense, learning is not only a path to personal growth but also a strategy for strengthening the nation. He also warns against a culture of resignation and passivity, which he saw as barriers to the development of a more equal and dynamic society.
Fukuzawa Yukichi (1835–1901) was a writer, educator, and reformist thinker, regarded as one of the leading intellectuals of the Meiji Restoration. Founder of Keio University, he promoted liberal values and defended the importance of science, rationality, and practical knowledge. With Encouragement of Learning, he profoundly influenced generations of Japanese readers, helping to shape Japan's modern identity and reinforcing the idea that education is the essential path to freedom and social progress.
