Clocks of Mita Campus

2017/01/01

Image: "independence and self-respect Clock Tower" (Clock Tower Commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the Opening of the School of Commerce and Industry)

On a university campus, clocks can be considered symbols of the landscape, and there are currently four clocks visible from the outside on Mita Campus.

First, looking to the left after entering the main gate of the campus toward "Mt. Inari," where the Enzetsukan (Public Speaking Hall) stands, there is the "independence and self-respect Clock Tower" (Clock Tower Commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the Opening of the School of Commerce and Industry). Keio University School of Commerce and Industry was founded in 1905 at the site where the South School Building now stands in Mita, as a secondary education school to train those engaged in business (commerce and industry). At the time of its opening, the period of study was four years, and eligibility for admission was for those aged 14 or older who had graduated from higher elementary school or passed the entrance examination. It was unique in that it aimed to develop human resources with knowledge of both commerce and industry, including many industrial subjects such as science and drawing in addition to regular commercial school subjects.

Due to the influence of the Pacific War, the school was forced to stop recruiting students along with Keio University Commercial School from fiscal year 1944 and was converted into Keio University Industrial School. After the end of the war, the School of Commerce and Industry was abolished under the new educational system, and in 1949, it brought its 45-year history to a close after producing a total of 6,141 graduates.

On November 30, 1975, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the school's opening, a clock tower approximately 5 meters tall made of reinforced concrete with special tiling was built through a donation from the alumni association. Designed by Yoshiro Taniguchi (Keio University alumni), the words "independence and self-respect" are inscribed in the center in Yukichi Fukuzawa's handwriting. At the bottom, along with The Pen Mark of the School of Commerce and Industry, there is an inscription of the "Origin of Keio University School of Commerce and Industry" written by the alumni representative, Mr. Yasuo Suga. Additionally, next to the clock tower, the "Shoko Sakura" was planted in 2005 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the school's opening.

Another clock tower on Mita Campus is located on the south side of the First School Building, between it and the Ginkgo Tree in the Quad. It is currently the clock most likely to catch the eyes of Keio students and faculty passing through the campus. This was donated as a graduation gift in 1992 and is made of colored aluminum, measuring 120 cm wide and 3 m high. The clock face has built-in fluorescent lights, allowing the time to be checked even at night.

A clock is also installed on the roof of the Graduate School Building, which faces the campus quadrangle. The Graduate School Building was completed in February 1985 as part of the project to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the founding of the Juku, designed by Fumihiko Maki (Keio University alumni). The clock on the roof of the eight-story building is difficult to see from the campus quadrangle, but this 180 cm square large clock can be clearly seen from the windows on the upper floors of the Keio University Library (New Building). Incidentally, the installation costs for this clock were entirely covered by The Iji-kai (Support Group) fees.

Furthermore, you are likely aware that there is also a clock with the words "TEMPUS FUGIT (Time Flies)" inscribed on the upper part of the exterior wall of the Old University Library, which can be called a synonym for Mita Campus.

(Editorial Department)