About Toyo University About Enryo

Enryo Inoue was born in 1858 at a temple called Jikoji in present-day Nagaoka in Niigata Prefecture. In the era of radical change that was the Meiji Restoration—the dawn of modern Japan- Enryo diligently studied Chinese classics from age 10 and the new field of Western learning from age 16. At 23, he studied philosophy at the University of Tokyo. Here, Enryo became convinced that truth is grounded in philosophy, regardless of whether it originated in the East or the West. After graduating from university, Enryo founded the Shiritsu Testsugakukan at the young age of 29, the predecessor organization to Toyo University. Enryo provided education in philosophy, not only to develop philosophers but also so that the general public could get a grounding in rational thinking through philosophy. Along with his educational activities, Enryo vigorously engaged in activities to spread philosophy. Enryo traveled overseas three times during the Meiji Period when it was almost impossible. While learning about the circumstances in various countries, he constantly thought about Japan’s future.

Brief Chronology of Enryo Inoue
Mar. 1858	Born as the eldest son at Jikoji, a temple of the Otani Branch of True Pure Land Buddhism, in Echigo Province (Niigata Prefecture)
May 1874	Enters the Niigata First Branch School (former Nagaoka School for Western Learning)
Sep. 1881	Enters the Department of Philosophy at the University of Tokyo’s Faculty of Letters
Jul. 1885	Graduates from the Department of Philosophy at the University of Tokyo’s Faculty of Letters
Sep. 1887	Founds the Tetsugakukan (predecessor of Toyo University) (opened by renting a building of the Rinsho-in Temple)
Jun. 1888	Departs on his first overseas tour (returns in Jun. 1889)
Nov. 1889	Moves the Tetsugakukan to Horaicho, Hongo-ku (present-day Mukogaoka, Bunkyo-ku)
Nov. 1890	Begins his first nationwide lecture tour to raise funds to establish specialized departments at the Tetsugakukan
Nov. 1893	Establishes the Demonology (Yokai [monster]) Research Group
Mar. 1896	Begins his second nationwide lecture tour
Jul. 1897	Moves the Tetsugakukan to Haracho (present-day Hakusan Campus)
Feb. 1899	Founds Toyo University Keihoku Junior High School; holds opening ceremony
Nov. 1902	Departs on his second overseas tour (returns in Jul. 1903)
Dec. 1902	Tetsugakukan incident (Ministry of Education withdraws the right to grant Middle School Teacher certification without examination)
Jan. 1904	Begins his third nationwide lecture tour
Apr. 1904	Becomes the Testugakukan Daigaku president under the University Ordinance.
	Holds Tetsugakudo (present-day Testsugakudo Park in Nakano-ku, Tokyo) opening ceremony
May 1905	Holds Keihoku Kindergarten opening ceremony
Jan. 1906	Steps down as president of Testugakukan and Toyo University Keihoku Junior High School
Apr. 1906	Begins a nationwide lecture tour for the Morality Church Movement
Apr. 1911	Departs on his third overseas tour (returns in Jan. 1912)
Jun. 1919	Falls and passes away during a lecture in Dalian (His obituary was reported by AP news and was featured in the July 18th edition of the New York Times)

 

Spread Philosophy Throughout Japan!

Enryo traveled all over Japan to provide educational opportunities to the general public. He spread philosophy and shared his own insights with the public, and continued to lecture until the day he passed away. He gave 5000 lectures over 13 years. These figures illustrate just how vigorously Enryo was committed to public education. At Toyo University, we carry on this spirit, and as part of our commitment to social education, we run a Lecturer Dispatch program. We dispatch full-time faculty members to give lectures at schools, municipalities, businesses, and organizations nationwide, according to their requests.

The Leading Authority on Yokai Studies

Enryo was also a pioneer in Yokai studies and was even featured in the works of manga artist Shigeru Mizuki. Enryo referred to local superstitions, popular beliefs, and paranormal phenomena that persisted in regional areas as “yokai (monsters)” and conducted research to explain them scientifically. He tried to vanquish the yokai that infested the secular world by analyzing collected materials and conducting on-site investigations. He summarized the results of this research in Yokai Studies Lectures and even presented them to Emperor Meiji.

 

Inoue Enryo Memorial Museum

Did you know there was a museum? The Toyo University Inoue Enryo Memorial Museum in the Hakusan Campus’ Building 5 is open to the public. It showcases the history and tradition of Toyo University, which first began as the Tetsugakukan, along with valuable historical materials owned by Toyo University. The museum was designated as a museum-equivalent facility and collects, preserves, and showcases various materials, focusing on those related to Enryo Inoue and Toyo University. We look forward to your visit!

 

Topic1 Board game that Enryo Inoue developed, Philosophy Shogi Checkers.

In 1980, Enryo developed a board game, Philosophy Shogi Checkers (Testsugaku-Tobishogo), based on shogi, go, and chess. The game is designed so players can understand complex philosophical concepts and terminology through gameplay.

Game Details

In this game, pieces named "Materialism" and "Spiritualism" represent philosophical ideologies. The players compete (debate) against each other on the board and win the game if they take their opponent’s “Idealism” piece.

Video introduction of Philosophy Shogi Checkers

We created a video to explain the rules of Philosophy Shogi Checkers so that it can be enjoyed by many people. In the second half, a scene introduces students from the Toyo University Shogi Club playing the game.

First half: Explanation of the rules of Philosophy Shogi Checkers ▶https://youtu.be/k_2xZhJqv2E

Second half: An examination of what makes Philosophy Shogi Checkers fun ▶https://youtu.be/PtUSV4Dm4Cc

The game was featured on Tokyo TV’s Adomachikku Tengoku on June 3.

Topic2 The life of founder Enryo Inoue has been adapted into a manga series. (Episode 1 available now)

The diverse life of Enryo, who was a philosopher, educator, Buddhist priest, yokai expert, and world traveler, has been made into a manga series. This manga encapsulates his adventurous spirit throughout the turbulent period from the end of the Edo era to the Meiji era. Enryo’s life is depicted in seven episodes, portraying his growth and what drove him to open the Tetsugakukan. We asked Masanobu Funato (Toyo Alumni) and Takanori Aoyama of Rusu Key to write the manga. The pair are known for manga such as “B—Brahms Journey at 20.” We created this manga series not only as an educational tool but also to convey the life of Enryo Inoue to adults and children alike, so we encourage you to read it.

 

Memorial days regarding Enryo Inoue	June, Gakusosai The Gakusosai is held every year to reflect on the starting point of Toyo University on June 6, the anniversary of Enryo Inoue’s death, at the Renge-Ji Temple, Nakano-ku, Tokyo.
	November, Tetsugakudosai The Tetsugakudosai is a lecture meeting open to the general public held every year on the first Saturday of November at the Tetsugakudo Park in Nakano-ku, Tokyo. It is based on the last will and testament of Enryo Inoue, who hoped for the popularization of philosophy. Per Enryo’s will, attendees are given amazake, coffee, and black tea.

For more information, please refer to the Enryo Inoue Portal Site.　
▶https://www.toyo.ac.jp/about/founder/