Yukichi Fukuzawa - Francis Wayland Memorial Lecture held at Mita

On the 15th of May 1868, Edo (now Tokyo) was in chaos as a result of the Boshin war. Despite the battle raging outside, Yukichi Fukuzawa remained unperturbed and continued to give his lecture from a text by Francis Wayland. Fukuzawa's refusal to interrupt the lecture showed his students the importance of a firm commitment to education. In commemoration of this day, Keio University celebrates the “Yukichi Fukuzawa-Francis Wayland Memorial Lecture Day” with a special lecture every year on May the 15th.

This year’s event was held on Monday the 16th of May at the Mita Public Speaking Hall. The lecture, entitled “The 100th Anniversary of the Death of Tokujiro Obata – Loyal Supporter of Yukichi Fukuzawa”, was given by Mr. Reijiro Hattori (Chairman, Fukuzawa Yukichi Association) and Ms. Naoko Nishizawa (Associate Professor, Fukuzawa Memorial Center for Modern Japanese Studies). Mr. Hattori depicted the relationship between Fukuzawa and Obata as “an ideal partnership” and praised Obata’s achievements. Ms. Nishizawa focused upon Obata’s interest in Francis Wayland’s “The Elements of Moral Science” and described Obata as a member of a high-ranking family who recognized morals as a psychological foundation for the new era.

A large number of people from outside the university also attended the lecture and the hall was soon filled to capacity. All attendees listened intently to the lecturers, with some even taking photographs of the Public Speaking Hall (designated as an important cultural asset) after the conclusion of the event.