Windows for the Crown Prince Akihito of Japan

by Elizabeth Gray Vining

Windows for the Crown Prince is a fascinating inside account of the formative years of Akihito, the reigning Emperor of Japan, written by his trusted tutor, the late Elizabeth Vining. Upon the recommendation of the director of the U.S. educational advisory mission to Japan, Mrs. Vining was engaged to “open windows onto a wider world for the Crown Prince”—then a shy and highly sheltered twelve year-old possessed of an irrepressible curiosity and man and nature. First published in 1952 and still a vibrant insight into the cloistered lives of the Imperial Family, Windows for the Crown Prince is the poignant story of her efforts and her successes.

About the Author: Elizabeth Gray Vining was born into an old Quaker family in Philadelphia in 1902. A graduate of Drexel University, with a degree in library science, she taught at the University of North Carolina, where she married Morgan Vining, a university administrator.

Genres: Japan, History, Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, Biography Memoir, American

322 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1952

About the author

Elizabeth Gray Vining began her distinguished writing career with children's books because she said "they enjoy their books so much, read and re-read them—which is satisfying to a hard-working author." Later she began to write for adults as well, and they, too, read and re-read her books. among the most popular of these books are Windows for the Crown Prince, The Virginia Exiles, Friend of Life, Take Heed of Loving Me, and Flora.
—From the back of "Return To Japan"
----
Elizabeth Janet Gray, also known as Elizabeth Gray Vining, was a prominent Quaker, known for having gone to Japan after World War II to tutor Emperor Akihito of Japan in English while he was the Crown Prince. She was a graduate of Bryn Mawr College, and a noted author of children's and adult literature. She won the Newbery Award for Adam of the Road, published in 1942.

Reviews

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Deadly dull in large parts, with endless mentions of names that are meaningless to me (most of which I'm pretty sure were meaningless to the reader back when the book was written), but occasionally so interesting and charming that it was worth reading the whole book. It was almost startling to look up the emperor of Japan now--I didn't know there still WAS an emperor, and didn't expect it to be this boy. I thought it'd be his son by now, or grandson. I had also not realized how young Hirohito was during the war, so.

[Barb in Maryland · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read enough to satisfy my curiosity.

The author has a nice, calm style and a marvelous way with descriptions. Her word pictures of post-WWII Japan are vivid. She does not gloss over the wide-spread devastation nor the general hardships faced by the population on a daily basis. She also treats the reader to the beauties of the rural areas which escaped the bombings.
I picked up the book because it details her interactions with the young Prince (later Emperor) Akihito. I was curious about how much she was actually able to interact with the Japanese Royal family. Quite a lot, as it turns out.

I may pick up the book again, when next the mood strikes.

[Yune · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elizabeth Vining recounts her years as the tutor of the Crown Prince of Japan after World War II. It's unremarkable that she was chosen -- she seems eminently suitable in all respects, graced with a gentle dignity, respect for other cultures, and warmth for all people. She's clearly intelligent, and some of the parts I found quite interesting were about her methods of pedagogy and how she adapts her lessons to her pupils (who eventually include other schoolchildren and the Empress herself); that said, although she displays an awareness of global events and of war, there's a deliberate turn away from them. Vining concerns herself with people, not with politics.

Her role extended beyond mere grammar; she introduced the prince to unprecedented outings with Western boys, and was a fierce champion of his right to happiness and a child's carefree life despite his regimented schedule and residence (away from the rest of his family). I also appreciated her insistence that her students learn to think for themselves. And she won enormous affection from the royal family, which I think really holds the heart of this book, a tale of unlikely people learning about each other and coming to care for them. The royal family is...humanized to some extent, sometimes seeming a bit too good to be true, but I don't doubt Vining's experiences with them.

Post-war Japan makes up a tale to be told in itself, and Vining doesn't neglect this part of her stay. Again, it's not the most encompassing view, but it's written engagingly, with undisputed sincerity.

I think if you find the premise of this book fascinating at all, and you know of Vining's background going in (a librarian, a Quaker), you will not be disappointed. A quiet but fulfilling read.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1948, only a few years after World War II, Emperor Hirohito chose Elizabeth Gray Vining as tutor for Crown Prince Akihito. About that same time, I had read several of Vining's children's novels, so when this book was published, I was anxious to read it as well. Sort of a twentieth century "Anna and the King of Siam!"

[Judy Novak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This startlingly beautiful memoir by Elizabeth Vining describes her experiences as English tutor to the Crown Prince Akihito of Japan, currently the Emperor. She was invited into this position by Emperor Hirohito himself in 1946 during the Occupation and was his son's private tutor for four years. Mrs. Vining played a large role in shaping the future emperor's democratic personality.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Brian for this book. I found it very well written and a fascinating look at the early post-war years in Japan. The author, born in 1902, was a teacher, children's book author, and Quaker, and all of these qualities are apparent in the book. The Emperor, the Crown prince and family, and the Japanese people in general are presented in a sympathetic light. I so enjoyed the style and content that it was not till after I finished that I was aware that the picture was definitely of a privileged class and that the author was quite comfortable and pleased (although probably a bit guilty with her pleasure) with the privileges afforded her. In many ways she is very progressive and modern in her views and any criticism needs to adjust to the fact that this book was written in 1952 and that the author was about 50 years old. The picture of her in the classroom a wonderful 1940's alpine style hat complete with feather makes her age, class, and time register.

Thoroughly enjoyable and a classic book about Japan.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Memoirs of the American quaker and children's book author brought in to tutor the young prince in English just after the end of WW2. Highly recommended, particularly for anyone who has been an English teacher in Japan. Despite the fact that it was the 1940s, her experiences teaching English in the Japanese educational system are remarkably similar to today.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I agree with several other reviewers that there are way too many lists of names long forgotten, it is understandable since the text is based on the diary-based notes of the author covering the years 1946-50 when she was the Japanese Crown Prince's English-language tutor (who also happened to be a peace-loving Quaker). But it is easy to glide over their names and short biographies and ease back into Ms. Vining's insightful descriptions of post-war Japan. I read this edition out-of-order, having read the sequel Return To Japan first, but that only proves that the sequel was enchanting enough to make me want to read the former volume. Again, it is her descriptions of the post-war days with its rationing and shortages (men's clothing and shoes high up on the list) and her encounters with the royal family as well as her drivers, translators and even General MacArthur that kept me turning the pages, along with her descriptions of formal Japanese etiquette, flower-arranging classes, and much, much more, remnants of which still linger in today's Japan. The white-gloved elevator ladies in the department stores still bow as they welcome you into the lift, and every home, restaurant and shop still has its tokonoma with hanging scroll and flower arrangement. If you're looking for a nostalgic glimpse into Japan as it was in the 1950s, written by an intelligent and keen observer, this is the perfect place to start.

[Rachel Moo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth was a great teacher who actually encouraged the Emperor Akihito to take risk in life by making his own decision, form his own opinion and not to sought decision from his officials. For example, he marry a commoner who is the current Empress Michiko despite his mother and official disapproval. He sought to raise his children with his wife instead of following court protocol to be raised by governess and other family clan. Fyi, he is the first emperor of Japan to visit China in 1992 to promote reconciliation with victim of Japanese war aggression and encourage young people to be taught on the horror of war (his effort is not widely recognised unfortunately). Although it sound common to choose your own bride and how to raise your children, the royal family life is controlled strictly by the Imperial Household Agency and it is not easy to object them.

She has a profound impact on his upbringing as the Emperor Akihito (coined fondly as Jimmy) only visited his family once a week while she taught him for four years in Japan. Nevertheless, he appreciate her so much that she remained the only non- Westerner to be invited to his wedding. I admire her enthusiasm to come up with creative ways to teach him not only on English language but the way of life. As a slice of life novel, it offer a fascinating insight into a life of American governess/tutor especially in the Japanese royal family. Give this memoir a try!

[Carol Tensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Windows for the Crown Prince was an enjoyable memoir. I was especially interested in reading this because I taught Japanese Conversation in Japan in the 70s. I agree with the other reviewers that the lists of names were tedious, and there were other parts that were easy to get bogged down in. I was interested to read about Vining attending a couple of sessions of the War Crimes Tribunal. She and her pupil Prince Akihito met with Gen. MacArthur, and he was able to connect with a teenage boy, who was able see beyond his father's former enemy.

Vining's mission was - besides teaching English - was to convince the royal family and the chamberlains that Akihito needed more interaction with boys his age. She also emphasized thinking skills and character education. When she makes preparations to return to the states, she and the prince are at a party held in her honor. One of her companions asks, “Are you aware that he was translating what you said?”

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engrossing nonfiction update of “Anna and the King of Siam/The King and I”: The memoir of a Quaker educator from the US who arrives in Japan in 1946 and spends 4 years as English tutor to Crown Prince Akihito, the future emperor of Japan. Fascinating descriptions of the world of the Imperial family, the reduced circumstances of many Japanese following the war, the natural beauty of the country, and the author’s efforts to nurture the Crown Prince’s philosophical and moral development. This was a bestseller when first published in 1950 & deservedly so, I think.

[Tanya Wing · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting content, hard to read

[Darlene Ivy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quiet, thoughtful, steady. Interesting to read.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoying this mini memoir of an ordinary woman called to teach a prince during an extraordinary time in history

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful look into the working of the Imperial Family of Japan during the Occupation. Elizabeth Vining was chosen to be the English teacher for the Crown Prince. She is from the Philadelphia area and helped bring about several reforms within the structure that Imperial Family members had been trapped in pre-war. It was also interesting to see how welcome most of the Japanese people were to the American Occupation. The army had pretty much take over their education system as well as their country and forced them into a war they did not want. Even the Emperor refused to agree to the war but they went ahead anyway. One of the best ways to learn history is through first hand accounts of both sides. While this is not a book about war the time period cannot ignore it totally. It is a wonderful telling by the teacher of her 4 years teaching Prince Akahito who is now the current Emperor of Japan. If you wish to learn about the culture of Japan this is certainly a book you should read.

[Alaine Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This nonfiction book was written by the tutor to the young Crown Prince Akihito~now the current Emperor of Japan. I live in Japan, so I really loved how she captured a moment in time very clearly. I enjoyed reading about how she taught the children, and she had a very lovely relationship with the royal family. I loved her description of the change in season, holidays and little nuances of Japan you discover when living here.

[Laura Stratton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book many years ago and am looking forward to reading it again after reading Dreaming Spies by Laurie R King. The Crown Prince is a minor but vital character in Dreaming Spies.

Ms Vining's book is a biography of her 4 years as a personal tutor to The Crown Prince of Japan. It is filled with many anecdotes and comments on the Japanese culture of the early 1900's.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

After WWII the emperor of Japan selected Elizabeth Gray Vining of Pennsylvania to come to Tokyo and tutor his son, the crown prince. This is a fascinating inside look at life in the palace and changes brought by the Allied victory in the war.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of a Quaker lady who came to Japan as a tutor of the current Emperor.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic insight into Japan after WWII from the eyes of an American tutor to the Crown Prince. Really loved this book.

[Catie Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short on nuanced global understanding but long on readability and charm... this is a sweet, enjoyable view into one woman's experience of post-war Japan.

[Trine · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best memoirs I've ever read and a book likely to appeal to readers interested in the culture and history of Japan. Very thought-provoking read!

[Linda Haring · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting at the beginning and very dull in the middle. I forced myself to complete the book. Enjoyed the look at the history of the time.

[Noah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interessant, indes aufgrund der Detailtiefe und dem sehr engen Fokus auf das Innenleben des Kaiserhofes wirklich nur etwas für Insider.