In his medical student days in Tokyo, Willis Norton Whitney went to Kanazawa accepting a post of teacher at Government Normal School and taught English, chemistry and physics for a year. As his father discharged by the Tokyo Prefectural Government and no more employed in Shoho-Koshujo, predecessor of present Hitotsubashi University, his family needed his financial help.
During his stay in Kanazawa, Emperor Meiji stopped at this city on his inspection tour in Hokuriku district and paid a visit to this school. After receiving in audience by the Emperor introduced by General Oyama, military attache, Willis was ordered by the prefecture to explain and conduct an experiment in electricity.
On this occasion, Willis invited General to dinner and had a plesant talk with him. Though it was frugal meal with no alcholic drinks, General Oyama was much pleased to meet such an upright young American gentleman in a distant province of Kaga.