ABOUT KINMON GAKUEN

Established in 1911, Kinmon Gakuen / Golden Gate Institute served as an educational institution for the children of Japanese immigrants who were not allowed to go to the local schools in the US. In 1924, the State of California granted its recognition as a legal corporation. Over the years, Kinmon Gakuen has grown. With time it has become a venue for Japanese Americans to gather and participate in cultural activities to enrich their lives and those of future generations. Today, Kinmon Gakuen is a language school that teaches not only the language but also the Japanese culture and tradition to anyone interested.

EDUCATIONAL GOALS

In addition to learning the Japanese language, for students to have opportunities to observe and practice the manners and customs of Japan that incorporate the spirit of selflessness and consideration for others.
For students to broaden their global perspective by being exposed to Japanese culture, thereby enriching their appreciation and understanding of foreign cultures.
For students to embrace the Japanese tradition as well as the history of Kinmon Gakuen, and to foster the spirit of respect and appreciation for the forefathers.

CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY

In the late 1800s, the anti-Japanese movement had been growing in the US. Japanese immigrants and their children were victims of harsh discrimination. Among the most concerning was the refusal of public school admittance to children of Japanese ancestry. The various prejudicial incidents gave rise to different Japanese immigrant groups to organizing. In San Francisco, the local Japanese American communities banded together to form an educational organization for their children, leading to the founding of Kinmon Gakuen.

In the late 1800s, the anti-Japanese movement had been growing in the US. Japanese immigrants and their children were victims of harsh discrimination. Among the most concerning was the refusal of public school admittance to children of Japanese ancestry. The various prejudicial incidents gave rise for the local Japanese American groups to band together to form an educational organization for their children, leading to the founding of Kinmon Gakuen.
May 2, 1910: A core group of the Japanese American Association gathered to establish a Japanese educational organization for their children. This was the day that Kinmon Gakuen was founded.
April 15, 1911: A grand opening ceremony was held that operated out of a boarding house at 2031 Bush Street. In October, Homei elementary school in San Francisco, operated by Mr. Kaichiro Kihara and was merged with Kinmon Gakuen.
April 16, 1924: Legal recognition of Kinmon Gakuen/Golden Gate Institute was granted by the States of California.
1925: The boarding house was purchased by Kinmon Gakuen and demolished it to build a new appropriate school building.
April 11, 1926: Grand completion ceremony of the new building was held. Kinmon Gakuen commemorative ceremonies were held.
May 12, 1931: Prince and Princess Takamatsu visited and observed classes.
September 4, 1933: Prince and Princess Kaya visited and observed classes.
October 30, 1935: Merger with Kyowa Gakuen
December 7, 1941: Outbreak of World War Ⅱ. In January 1942, enemy foreign national general evacuation and confinement started which sent 600 Japanese diplomats to the State of Montana and about 117,000 Japanese Americans living on the west coast were relocated to two internment camps, resulting in the government seizure and closing of Kinmon Gakuen. A second branch at 945 Clay Street across the street from Oriental Public School, later changed to Commodore Stockton Elementary School was also closed. Today, the school is now named Gordon J. Lau Elementary School.
From 1942 to 1952, the Booker T. Washington Community Center occupied the building safeguarding it against permanent government seizure so that it could be returned to the Japanese when the war ended.
January 26, 1948: Once re-established, the bottom floor of 2013 Bush Street, next to the land owned by Kinmon Gakuen, was used as a temporary location until Booker T. Washington Community Center found a new permanent home. In May 1952, the reopening of the building and the start of a new school semester began. The students were mostly “Sansei” third-generation Japanese Americans.
1956: The showing of Japanese movies became popular in Northern California, and Kinmon Gakuen Hall was used during the weekend to present Japanese movie shows.
February 23, 1960: Crown Prince Akihito and Princess Michiko visitation.
June 1970: 60th-anniversary celebration was held.
October 1991: Celebrated the 80th anniversary.
1992: Kinmon Gakuen hosted a seminar and workshop by Wangan Nihongo Gakuen Kyokai (Bay Area Association of Japanese Language School). Prof. Toshiko Mishima, San Francisco State University, was the keynote speaker on "Teaching Japanese as a foreign language".
1996: Kinmon Gakuen classes were reorganized from age-related to level-related.
1999: Hosted seminar and workshop by Wangan Nihongo Gakuen Kyokai on the use of proper textbooks and materials for foreign students.
2001: Students learned how to input Hiragana, Katakana and its Kanji into computers, and type Japanese sentences.
2004: Enshin Karate Tomiyama Dojo class opened.
2004: Seminar and workshop by Wangan Nihongo Gakuen Kyokai. Prof. Fumiko Grant, City College of San Francisco.
October 2011: Marked the 100th anniversary of Kinmon Gakuen and was celebrated at the Hotel Kauki with numerous alums in attendance. The “Foreign Minister’s Commendation” from the Japanese Government was presented to the school during the program.
August 12, 2019: The Small Business Commission Legacy Business was approved with a bronze plaque installed at the front of the building.
October 22, 2019: The SF Historic Preservation Commission approved the Landmark Designation.
March 2020 – Spring 2022: Transitioned to online classes due to the impact of COVID-19.
2022: Installed projectors and screens in all classrooms.
Fall 2022: Resumed in-person classes that were abruptly stopped from COVID-19.
2023: Historical records of Kinmon Gakuen were compiled by Professor Toyotomi Morimoto from Waseda University.
November 2023: A workshop titled “The Art of Haiku & History of Kinmon Gakuen” was conducted for the APEC 2023 USA San Francisco’s Japantown Experience.