The present study compares processes of purchase of physical apparatus at three schools: under the old system Himeji High School, Third High School, and Kishiwada Junior High School. The historical significance of the increased use of physical apparatus is examined. Shimadzu Corporation’s list is used for a comparison of the three schools.
The earlier the school establishment, the higher the purchase prices. In the Taisho era and in the early Showa era, equipment was less expensive than during the Meiji era. The newer school, therefore, was able to improve its equipment for a short period of time.
The present study shows that in 1942, the ministry’s curriculum guidelines stipulated that experiments had to be conducted if a high school had physical apparatus. A future study will determine whether or not experiments were conducted in accordance with the ministry’s curriculum guidelines. In the early Showa period, former high schools had permanent stores of apparatuses as school equipment.
