Kizo Ishikawa's Timeline

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  Kizo Ishikawa born.

  1864

  Tatebayashi, Gunma prefecture. His father, Naritaka Ishikawa, was a samurai.
   

• 

  Samurai class abolished.

  1876

  At some point, Kizo’s family moves to Sendai, Japan.

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  Proficient in English.

  1877 - 1879

  Kizo was one of three students who could understand English when starting Sendai junior high school. He withdrew from the second session in October 1879.
   

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  Imperial College of Engineering.

  1880 - 1886

  We are unsure how long Kizo attended, or if he received a degree.

  Founded in Tokyo in October 1873. The staff were initially all from the UK. Students were required to take notes and complete assignments in English.

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  Travels in Japan.

  1886 - 1888

  Kizo travels with friends to visit historic battle sites in Japan. Afterward, a friend participated in one of the many uprisings against the Meiji Restoration. He was tried, found guilty, and hanged at age 25.

• 

  Iowa Law School.

  1888 - 1890

  Kizo was a popular law student. He was active in the Aldine Society and his speeches were highly praised.
  
  Kizo wrote articles about Japan for the Iowa City Republican newspaper. His articles stopped when he became ill with malaria in September 1889.

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  Returns to Japan.

  1890

  Diagnosed with consumption (tuberculosis), he returned home to Japan in December 1890. He cancelled plans to study Political Science at Cornell University in New York.

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  First Basketball Game.

  1891

  Basketball invented December 21, 1891, at Springfield College. The players include Genzaburo Ishikawa, a possible relative of Kizo's from Tatebayashi, Gunma prefecture.

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  Teaches English.

  1891 - 1892

  After returning to Japan, Kizo worked as an English teacher in Gifu. His illness did not respond to treatment.

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  Died Sunday, October 23, 1892.

  1892

  Kizo was about 27 years old when he died. His grave is at Shorakuji Temple in Shintera Koji, Sendai.