One day, when the chief professor was absent from school, two specimens which were lent out in the morning were not returned, and, even though I looked everywhere, I couldn’t find them. The next day, it was explained to me that school samples were articles of national importance and I got scolded severely. The worry and stress of so many mistakes and failures had given me terrible stomach problems, and I had to take some time off from school.

The chief professor, Ms. Satoko Nakajima, the daughter of a feudal retainer of Kagoshima Domain, had entered the advanced course of her alma mater, Watanabe School, after her graduation from Tokyo Women’s Higher Normal School. She was an ardent researcher of antiquities, as well as being extremely strict.

In contrast I was brought up in the countryside and had entered school in Tokyo with little understanding of home discipline and having had no chance to receive a classical school education. These were reasons I had struggles beyond those of ordinary people. Also being occupied as a “self-supporting student”, I had had no time to deepen and educate my mind as my classmates had. When I stood on the platform as a teacher, I was no match for Ms. Nakajima.

However, after my nervous stomach had settled down, no matter how hard it might become, I was determined to study for a year with this respected professor.

One day, she said, “The countryside where you were raised is quite a coarse place.” Though puzzled by her words, I replied, “Yes.” She smiled, “The other day, when the student asked how many garments she would need to be a proper lady, your reply betrayed your nature.