Kagawa, Toyohiko

(1888–1960)

   Philanthropist and Devotional Writer.

   Kagawa was an illegitimate son of a Japanese high official and he was born in Kobe. At the age of fifteen, he converted to Christianity and, in consequence, was disinherited by his family. He was educated at the Presbyterian College in Tokyo, at Kobe Theological College and at Princeton University in the United States. On his return to Japan, he decided to dedicate himself to alleviating the dreadful conditions of the Japanese poor. He founded the first Japanese labour union in 1921; in 1928 he organised the Anti- War League and in 1930 he began the missionary Kingdom of God movement. He was the author of many books including (in their English translations) Before the Dawn, Christ and Japan and Love the Law of Life. He achieved many reforms within Japan and is regarded as the most prominent Japanese Christian of his time.

   W. Axling, Kagawa (1932);

   J.M. Trout, Kagawa: Japanese Prophet (1959).