Nakamura Kinzo
Educator and Protégé of Father de Rotz
Nakamura Kinzo
Nakamura Kinzo (1859–1945) was born in Shitsu and went to the Oura Latin Seminary to become a priest.
When Father de Rotz (1840–1914) moved to Sotome to become Head Priest at Shitsu Church and told Nakamura about his plans to establish a work relief center in Shitsu, Nakamura helped him obtain official permits to open and begin operations. In 1883, after the establishment of the center, Nakamura became de Rotz’s right-hand man and became a teacher. He helped to explain the religious sermons and to transfer de Rotz’s knowledge of farming by publishing relevant books.
Later, he opened a school for boys where he taught math, law, arithmetic, and Japanese poetry and calligraphy, and worked for the village assembly.
As a lifelong educator convinced of the importance of education in a person’s development, Nakamura contributed to Father de Rotz’s mission to improve the lives of the people of Sotome.