Tokyo Kasei Gakuin University (TKGU), founded by Bedford alumna Sumi Ohe, is celebrating its 100th anniversary in May this year.

Pictured from left to right, Sumi Ohe founder of TKGU, Students of TKGU visiting our Egham campus, [above] Sumi Ohe at a picnic with her fellow Bedfordians (1911), [below] Original Bedford College Sign.

Sumi Ohe, born in 1875, was one of the first international students to enrol at Bedford College. In the book Britain and Japan: Biographical Portraits*, she is described “as a pioneer in the field of modern domestic science in Japan.” It goes on to give an overview of her life and achievements after studying at Bedford College. “After studying […], she returned to Japan and became a professor at Tokyo Joshi Ko ̄ to ̄ Shihan Gakko ̄ (Tokyo Women’s Teachers’ Training College). She laid the foundation of domestic science, further developed it, and finally established it as a significant aspect of education. She also published several textbooks, widely used in domestic-science classes in schools throughout Japan. In 1923 she founded her own private educational institution Tokyo Kasei Gakuin (Tokyo Home Economics Academy). In 1940 she was awarded the Indigo Ribbon (Ranju Ho ̄ sho ̄) medal for her great service promoting women’s education. In the same year the Ministry of Education recognized her long service in the field of education and awarded her a prize. Although she died in 1948, her name continues to be well remembered in Japan."

Following her studies, she returned to Japan where she founded TKGU. Tomoko Mori, an academic at the institution, recently visited our Egham campus with visiting students to discuss potential collaboration and engagement opportunities for TKGU and Royal Holloway and Bedford New College students.

*Cortazzi (Ed. Cortazzi), Britain and Japan: Biographical Portraits 2015 (First ed., Vol. 9, pp. 331)