Early Years (1900–20)
Jinʼichi Toda, who was later to be known as Josei Toda, was born on February 11, 1900, in what is now Kaga city, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, the seventh son of father Jinshichi and mother Suʼe. In 1904, the family moved to the village of Atsuta in Ishikari County, Hokkaido, where they operated a fishing concession. Toda was particularly influenced by one of his elder brothers, Hokakichi, who was a studious child dedicated to his studies.
Toda’s childhood home in Atsuta (reconstruction)
In April 1906, Toda enrolled in Atsuta Higher and Elementary School. He received instruction in reading classical Chinese as well as a broad spectrum of studies from his brother Hokakichi, who devoted himself to reading works such as The Analects of Confucius as he convalesced from tuberculosis at home. Hokakichi, however, passed away when Toda was eight years old. Toda became an avid reader himself, influenced also by his fatherʼs taste in epic fiction.
Toda graduated from Atsuta Higher and Elementary Schoolʼs junior course in March 1912 and entered its senior course in April the same year. Encouraged by a teacher with literary inclinations, he began to voraciously read works of literature and other genres. In March 1914, he graduated from the senior course with the highest marks.
The school principal and others tried to persuade him to continue his education, but he left school because his family was looking for someone to inherit their business. After a brief stint in the family business, Toda began working in a general store, Koroku Shoten, in Sapporo, Hokkaido, in July 1915, recommended for the post by his eldest brother Tozo.
Aged 17, holding his teaching license
