The Kinmon Gakuen (金門学園) or Golden Gate Institute is a Japanese language school in San Francisco, California, located at 2031 Bush Street. It was established in 1911 with 133 students. They currently offer programs to children from kindergarten to high school.

Kinmon Gakuen in March 2024

In 1927, the original art of Henry Yoshitaka Kiyama's Four Immigrants Manga was exhibited there.

The school was forced to close during World War II and was not able to reopen until 1949. It was visited by Japanese Emperor Hirohito in 1933[1] and 1935,[2] and then-Crown Prince Akihito and Crown Princess Michiko in 1960.[3] The institute celebrated the 100th anniversary of its establishment and received Japan's Foreign Minister's Commendation in 2011.[4]

The building has been listed by the city as a San Francisco Designated Landmark (no. 288) since November 1, 2019.[5]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Kodomo No Tame Ni (For the Sake of the Children)" (PDF). Retrieved 2009-05-17.
  2. ^ "San Francisco Japantown Task Force: Kinmon Gakuen Building – Japanese Language School". Archived from the original on 2008-07-24. Retrieved 2009-05-17.
  3. ^ "Generations: A Japanese American Community Portrait". Archived from the original on 2008-05-17. Retrieved 2009-05-17.
  4. ^ "Golden Gate Institute (Kinmon Gakuen) in San Francisco Receives 2011 Foreign Minister's Commendation". Archived from the original on 2012-05-13. Retrieved 2011-11-24.
  5. ^ "San Francisco Landmark 288: Kinmon Gakuen Building". noehill.com. Retrieved 2024-03-13.

External links edit

37°47′08″N 122°25′42″W / 37.785572°N 122.428229°W / 37.785572; -122.428229