A letter from "the land of the rising sun" (Japan through the eyes of a Tatar student)
At the end of the 19th century, a growing number of Tatar students were receiving higher education at educational institutions of Western Europe and America. Opening of a new industrial development period required training of specialists aligning with the times. Due to the lack of national secular education system and the fact that doors of most Russian educational institutions were closed to Tatars, young people were searching for the ways to enter foreign universities where there was an opportunity of getting adequate education and acquaintance with new technologies in various fields of science, technology, industry, trade, agriculture, etc. The son of a prominent public and religious figure Gabdrashid Ibragimov Akhmedmunir was the first student among Tatars who managed to get higher education in Japan, at the famous Waseda University. Akhmedmunir Ibragimov, charmed with wonderful “land of the rising sun”, its educational system and practices, published his article about Japan in “Vakyt” (Time) newspaper. This newspaper introduced Tatar youth with other countries. Ibragimov's article is devoted to the revealing of the peculiarities of the higher education system in Japan and Waseda University. It is remarkable for the author’s describing of the requirements for entering Japanese educational institutions, rules and conditions of studying and life, and it expresses the view of many peculiarities and traditions of the Japanese society (attitude to knowledge, religion, Islam, Tatars, etc). The article is written in the form of answers to questions of Tatar youth about getting an education in Japan. The present work provides information of Akhmedmunir Ibragimov, his article “Life of students in Japan” published in “A letter from Japan” column is analyzed and introduced into scientific discourse for the first time.