Rengo Mita-kai Convention

June 30, 2022

Image: The Rengo Mita-kai Convention bustling with many members of the Keio Gijuku Shachu (2018)

On November 8, 1930 (Showa 5), the 1st Rengo Mita-kai was held at the Tokyo Kaikan with 329 attendees. Since 1880 (Meiji 13), while Yukichi Fukuzawa was still alive, alumni meetings of the Juku had been held at places like the Kojunsha and Fukuzawa's villa. During the Taisho era, the name "alumni association" was gradually replaced by "Mita-kai," and activities became more frequent. With the rapid increase in graduates, momentum grew to create a cross-sectional organization for the Mita-kai established by region and graduation year, leading to the birth of the Rengo Mita-kai. The day after the meeting, attendees from regional Mita-kai were given tours of Mita, Yotsuya, the newly acquired Hiyoshi site, and the Juku. It was held 14 times thereafter but was forced to suspend due to the war.

In 1951 (Showa 26) after the war, the organization restarted as the National Rengo Mita-kai. The 17th convention was held with the plan to hold a convention every autumn, and despite the rain, over 1,200 people, including families, gathered at Mita Hilltop Square. The Osaka event in May of the following year, centered around the Kansai Mita-kai, began with a major lecture the day before and a rally that filled the Takarazuka Grand Theater, becoming an unprecedented success. Although there was a proposal to cancel that autumn's convention, it was held with the aim of creating a family-like gathering at Mita with the support of students. Thus, holding the event at Mita Hilltop Square in the autumn became a tradition. However, in the year of Keio University's 100th anniversary, a celebration ceremony and garden party were held at Hiyoshi as "Alumni Day," part of the commemorative events the day after the anniversary ceremony, attracting over 10,000 participants.

The name was changed from "National Rengo Mita-kai" to "Rengo Mita-kai (Keio Rengo Mita-Kai since 1967)" in 1963 (Showa 38), because the term "National" was seen as placing too much emphasis on regional Mita-kai. At the same time, it was decided to clearly state the year as the "Showa XX Rengo Mita-kai Convention," and that the President would serve as Honorary Chairman while the Committee Chair would serve as Chairman. In the 1960s, the number of Keio University alumni approached 100,000. This was the result of discussions between the Juku and its alumni to solidify the foundation of the convention and create a permanent alumni organization where the Keio Gijuku Shachu could always be active. That year, the event was held at Hiyoshi to deepen friendships while watching the Keio University Athletic Association competition held at the Hiyoshi Ground. Convention tickets were sold in advance through each Mita-kai in addition to being sold on the day. From the following year, a "host year" system was introduced, establishing the format that continues today. From this year, holding the event at Hiyoshi became a tradition.

Half a century later, the Rengo Mita-kai Convention has become the Juku's largest event, with nearly 20,000 participants gathering at Hiyoshi. The host years, which come around every 10 years, manage various projects as organizers, and commemorative gifts and raffles are also very popular. Except for 1969 (Showa 44), when it was suspended due to university protests, the event has been held even in bad weather. However, in recent years, it has been canceled or held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

I look forward to it being held at the new Hiyoshi Commemorative Hall.

(Atsuko Ishiguro, former Director of the Office of Communications and Public Relations)