This is a brief note about the private-history of the peerage focusing on education and social change. The note is based on both historical materials and interviews from 4 generation of ex-peers. As Japanese history tells us, the peerage of Japan was established in Modern Meiji (1869), and was abrogated after WW II (1947). The role of the peer is difficult to define in short though at least it would not wrong to say that they were "the guard of the Imperial". "Narrative" of older generations often refered to His and Her Majesty. In contrast , younger generations seldom referred to the nobles. On the other hand, in their private life, "education" became much important than ever. For example, Home education to School education, noble Gakushuin to other meritocratic options. Some of the peers, despite their lineage, changed their minds on not relying on descent but on surviving by their own abilities based on education through the rapid change of their surroundings. This note shows how each generation of one noble family have recognized and accepted their lives by interviewing and utilizing complementary materials which were offered by the interviewees.

研究ノート