"Compelling the forces of conservatism to yield…"

Loretta Leonard Shaw

(1872-1940)

Writer, teacher, and missionary Loretta Leonard Shaw made modernity her mandate, Christian principles her means, and the Far East her field. In her work as a missionary to Japan from 1905 to 1938, Shaw repeatedly underscored the need for women's emancipation, better educational opportunities, religious freedom, moral reform and the maturation of Japan's "soul" to keep pace with its industrial advancement. Hers was a sophisticated and compelling approach, based on years of study in Japan and an intimate knowledge of its society, religious culture, commerce, politics and even building materials. A "keen student of international relations," Shaw was "quick to realize the significance of the conditions she saw." In her 1922 book Japan in Transition, and in her regular missionary reports and opinion pieces, Shaw spoke sharply but sympathetically of Japan's most troubling issues, which she identified as poverty, weakness in the labour movement, subjugation of women, a persistently feudal social structure, and the degrading influence of legal prostitution. Her prescription for these ills was a form of piety manifested broadly in charitable social service, democratic government with universal suffrage, egalitarian households, moral order, and industrial progress. In each of her dynamic reports, she attributed "true democratic movements" in Japan to its "little band of Christians" who were "bringing people out to a broader vision of humanity and to a new independence of thought and action."

Shaw devoted her life to proclaiming her message in Japan and educating Westerners about "the Japan of Today." Born in Saint John to Margaret E. Hilyard and carriage-maker Arthur N. Shaw, Loretta was one of eight siblings. She was a sharp scholar and a rapid learner, earning a Master of Arts degree from the University of New Brunswick after four years of study, and picking up the Japanese language in one year, instead of the usual two. In 1905, after seven years as a teacher in Massachusetts, Shaw was stationed in the Church of England's Osaka mission, where she remained (when not on furlough or speaking tour) until 1931, when she went to work with the Christian Literature Society in Tokyo. This ecumenical body published and distributed spiritual reading material, as well as "good wholesome literature for young people." Perhaps it was this mandate which led Shaw to give her friend Hanako Muraoka an English copy of Anne of Green Gables as a parting gift just prior to the commencement of World War II. This was Japan's first encounter with the red-haired heroine who would rapidly become a national favourite.

Evangelical work in the East and speaking tours in the West took Loretta Shaw twice around the world. During one trip she spent two months in the Holy Land and over the course of another she visited Russia, Norway, Germany, France and England. On occasional visits to her Saint John home, she made significant material and intellectual contributions to the Natural History Society Museum. In January 1911, for example, Shaw opened the winter season of Ladies' Auxiliary lectures with an earnest lecture on "Japan and its Problems," which was "followed with the closest attention by the large audience present." She also donated many Asian artefacts to the Museum – over 400 in all! By 1924, she had given over 150 "curios" from Japan, all of which were displayed in the Museum's Oriental Exhibition that year. Also just in time for the Exhibition, Shaw sent a series of watercolour pictures by Japanese artists (chiefly Gato and H. Kato), as well as a collection of pictures depicting Japanese life. These were prized by museum personnel for their educative value and their addition to the "pictorial richness" of the Museum.  

Unable to remain in Japan after 1939 due to ill-health and wartime pressures, Shaw returned to live at her sister's residence at 203 King Street East, Saint John. She died on July 29th 1940, leaving an additional 100 objects to the New Brunswick Museum, including Japanese textiles, dolls and dozens of prints.

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