Acknowledgements
I am grateful to numerous
professors, principals, teachers, and students in Japan and England who were gracious
enough to let me into their colleges, schools, and classrooms to share with me their views
of the world.
In England, I am especially indebted to: Geoffry Jones, Professor of Economic
History at the University of Reading for an interview and introductions on 18 January
1995; Peter Lawrence, Professor of Comparative Management at Loughbourough University for
an interview and introductions on 20 January 1995; Cryn Horn, governor, and Hayden Powell,
principal of Brampton Manor High School (independent state-maintained five year middle
school) East Ham, London, for an interview, introductions, and access to the school on 31
January 1995; Hazel Fish (a British 'super-teacher') and Roger Harris, principal of
Woodbrook Vale High School (locally-controlled four year middle school), Loughborough,
Leicestershire for interviews, introductions, and access to the school on 12 February
1995.
In Japan, I am indebted to the principals and teachers in Kenbuchi-cho, Hokkaido at
Sakae Machi Hoikuen (nursery) , Kenbuchi Shogakko (elementary), Kenbuchi chugakko
(middle), and Kenbuchi Koko (high) schools where I taught and assisted between July 1990
and July of 1991 and; and to the principals and teachers in Kimitsu-shi, Chiba-ken at
Kameyama Shogakko and Chugakko, Matsuoka
Shogakko and Chugakko, Susai Shogakko and Chugakko, Yaehara Shogakko and Chugakko
where I taught and assisted between August 1991 and July l992.
I am especially grateful to my professors in the United States: Marc Jason Gilbert
(North Georgia College), whose sense of humor and engagement continues to inspire cadets
and mountain locals like myself to study world history; Tetsuo Najita (University of
Chicago) , whose seminar demonstrated to me that postmodern history can be affirmative and
constructive; and my thesis committee members, Robert R. Locke (University of Hawaii) ,
whose support as chairperson made the study possible and a true adventure to the end;
Edward Beauchamp (University of Hawaii) , who helped me to bridge the interrelated
fields of History and Education; and Sharon Minichiello (University of Hawaii)
, who enabled me to prune and strengthen the unwieldy judgments I reached while working in
Japan. What I have construed from our discussions and work together on this thesis is my
own doing. If it at least gives us grounds to continue our discussions some day, I will be
satisfied.