Japanese education ~2~ syuushin part 2 修身 その２

  I finished reading a book on Syuushin(修身しゅうしん) that was
one of the subjects about 60 years ago in Japan.
  That's a kind of moral education. In Japan, we have a class of
moral education now. After reading the book, the class of syuushin
seems to be different from the class of moral education of now.
Students used to learn many historical figures at the syushin class.
And students learned ideas that were based on Confucianism,
such as... you have to respect for your parents and your ancestors.
And you have to dedicate to the society and make efforts...
  I introduce one of the stories. This story is for 5 grade.(around 10~11 years old)
(this is a summary)

  corporation spirits

  There was an area where people couldn't make crops because
riparian work were not enough. (the area was located in the west of Japan)
  At the beginning of the Edo period, there were 5 leaders.
  Those 5 leaders discussed how to do riparian work.
  They decided to build a dam near the river. The project seemed to be successful.
But, nobody used to do such big project. The project costed so much.
  Those 5 leaders swore they would achieve.
  They explained about the project to people in village. Some people told the
leaders to do together. But the 5 leaders refused that because they
were  determined to carry it through. They determined to kill themselves if
the project did not make a success.
  Some people in the village had strong mind to cooperate them so 5 leaders
admitted them to join the project.
  The feudal clan(a district government) did not admit to do the project easily.
Some people in the village disagree to do the project.
  But finally the feudal clan admitted it because the 5 leaders said,
"We take responsibility and accept any punishments if the project don't
make a success."
  The project started.
  People worked together day and night. Women and children also cooperated
the project.
  The project finished. They could make a dam. The project made a success.
  After that project, some people who disagreed to the project asked 5 leaders
to share the water.
  Some people who joined this project told the leaders not to share water with them.
They thought people who joined the project from the beginning should have priority
 to use the water.
  But the 5 leaders persuaded to share the water by all people at the same time.
Because that project started for all people in that area.
  After that, people agree to share the water by all people at the same time.

 Fin

  The interesting thing is that 5 leaders asked people in the area to share
the water by all people at the same time. People who disagree to the project
did not have any penalties. This idea seems to be peculiar to Japanese culture.
Students used to learn a lot of this kind of stories at the syuushin class.
Nowadays, it is said that Japanese education are getting worse.
Children don't keep moral... I would like to look this syuushin class over again.
I want to research this syuushin class more.