Historical term for private elementary schools during the Edo period, often run in temples, teaching reading, writing, and arithmetic to commoners' children.
私塾 were private academies often run by individual scholars, while 寺子屋 were more widespread, basic elementary schools.
Etymology
Literally 'temple child shop'. Originated from the practice of holding classes in Buddhist temples, hence the name. The exact historical derivation is well-established.
