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Subject: Re: MEGURO History
Date: 98-03-30 20:42:03 EST
From: joepeh@sunline.net (JWP)
To: Jameshjim@aol.com (Jameshjim)
Jim
Sure. Glad to provide my two-bits worth on MEGURO during the
Occupation era. For background purposes, I began Meguro in 1948
as a dependent of what was called a "Commercial
Entrant", in the military vernacular of that era. My Dad
was an employee of Northwest Airlines. We lived in Shibuya,
about halfway between Meguro High School and Washington heights,
the large military housing area near Harajuku station.
Meguro was, as you know, operated by the American School in
Japan organization up to the beginning of the war. Operation was
suspended during the war. After the end of the war, the American
military took over operation of the school under the name Tokyo
American School. Early on, the Superintendent of Schools was an
American military officer. Teachers were hired by the military
and, contrary to your statement in your write-up, the vast
majority of students were military dependents. Probably 70%
military. The remainder were an eclectic mix of foreign embassy,
commercial business, and displaced persons dependents. The
majority of military dependent students were drawn from either
Washington Heights Housing area or independent military houses
for field grade and up officers. Most students were transported
to Meguro from their homes by a network of perhaps 20-30
military busses.
Meguro had grades seven through twelve in those years. Although
class size varied over the years, 45 - 50 was the norm. Because
Meguro was generally larger than the other dependent schools
throughout Japan, we tended to dominate the sports activities
(although I'm sure others would dispute this assertion). Annual
championships, especially in basketball were BIG deals back
then.
Courses taught were fairly fundamental - English, Math, History,
Sciences, Languages. We had many extra-curricular activities -
newspaper, yearbook, thespians, glee club, camera club, National
Honor Societies, GAA, Student Council, Class Officers, Baseball,
Football, Basketball and Track, along with numerous dances and
parties. A major "hangout" was at the Teen-Age Club,
an appendage to the Washington Heights Officers Club. Many
"first loves" bloomed and wilted at that Club. Dances
there every weekend were regular, invariably with live bands,
often Japanese.
In the summer of 1952, the Meguro TAS was turned back over to
the ASIJ organization. All military dependents transferred to
Narimasu High school, located in Grant Heights, a suburb of
Tokyo. The military school bus routes were re-designed. Those
near Washington Heights, as mine was, were first taken to Wash.
Hgts. (Yoyogi Grade School parking lot) where we transferred to
another set of military busses making the long run to Narimasu.
For me, the total trip was an hour and one half each way, every
day.
As a dependent of a "Commercial Entrant" I was,
technically, ineligible to transfer to the military school at
Narimasu. However, my Mother by then had a job as a Dept. of the
Army Civilian (DAC) and on that basis was admitted. I recall
being concerned that Meguro, in 1952, was not then accredited by
the proper U.S. organizations, and that my future admission to
college might have been in jeopardy. In any event, all of the
military dependents and a scattered few civilian, started going
to Narimasu in the fall of 1952 - officially ending use of
Meguro as an American military High School.
Today, ASIJ is a thriving, prosperous organization. The school
is located now in a Tokyo suburb offering K through 12. The old
building was torn down sometime in the mid 60's and the property
was sold to an Insurance Company. The ASIJ Alumni organization
recognizes and has enrolled hundreds of Occupation era Meguro
students. In June 1997 we held a 95th re-union bash in Seattle.
Plans are underway for the 100th anniversary - no doubt to be
held in Tokyo in 2002.
Yours truly is Class Correspondent for the Class of '54 at ASIJ
and I welcome all folks wishing to get in touch.
Joe Pehoushek
Meguro '48-'52 Narimasu '52-'54
See my updated home page http://www.pehoushek.com/
Updated 31 Mar 98 |
