WHO IS WHO

TSUNESABURO MAKIGUCHI

Tsunesaburo Makiguchi (1871-1944) was a reformist educator, author and philosopher. His educational ideas, and his theory of value-creation (soka), which underlies his pedagogy, are explored in his 1930 work Soka Kyoikugaku Taikei (The Theory of Value-Creating Pedagogy). Makiguchi's views completely contradicted the logic of the militarist government, which sought to use education to mold obedient, unquestioning servants of the state. As a teacher known for his warmth and consideration, he strove to introduce a more humanistic, student-centered approach to education. He fiercely opposed corrupt educational practices and was forced into early retirement as a result. In 1943, Makiguchi and Josei Toda (his closet disciple) were arrested and imprisoned. In 1944 Makiguchi died in prison of malnutrition, refusing to the end to compromise his beliefs.

Josei Toda was released from prison in July 1945, just weeks before the end of the war. Toda went on to rebuild the organization he and Makiguchi had founded, renaming it the Soka Gakkai.

More information  http://www.tmakiguchi.org/