Collaborative Project Between Keio Affiliated Schools #2:Group Reading of Letters by Yukichi Fukuzawa

A group reading event entitled "Collaborative Project Between Keio Affiliated Schools: Group Reading of Letters by Yukichi Fukuzawa" was held on Sunday, 4 February at the Jisonkan Hall of Keio Yochisha Elementary School. The event was hosted by Keio Research Center for the Liberal Arts in relation with the 150th anniversary of Keio University.
Followed by the "Group Reading of The Tale of the Heike" held last year, this was the second of a series of events to explore the possibilities of the unified education system of the affiliated schools of Keio.

Students from Keio Yochisha, Keio Chutobu Junior High School, Keio Shiki Boys Senior High School and Keio University participated in the event. Prof. Noriaki Kudo, Vice President, Prof. Shuhei Shiozawa, Dean of Faculty of Economics, Prof. Yoko Sato, Dean of Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care and Prof. Chiaki Yokoyama, Director of Keio Research Center for the Liberal Arts, also joined in. Ms. Misako Konno, actress, UNDP Goodwill Ambassador, and also a graduate of Keio, acted as mistress of ceremony.

"Letters by Yukichi Fukuzawa" of the Iwanami Library of Classics (Iwanami Bunko) was used as the text. Among the massive letters of Yukichi Fukuzawa, interesting and easy-to read letters were chosen for the group reading. Those include letters of Yukichi Fukuzawa concerning the principle and operation policy for founding Keio, educational methods, advices for his pupils, praise and reprimand of a project, thoughtful attention to Keio University students, and everyday life with his family.

Through this reading event, participants enjoyed retracing Keio University's history of 150 years and the spirit of Keio in the early years.