Waseda-Keio Rivalry Decorations (Large Signboards)

2022/10/28

Image: Keio side cheering section during the 2019 Autumn League Games

Many people are likely familiar with the large illustrated signboards known as "decorations" installed behind the infield stands of Meiji Jingu Stadium during the Tokyo Big6 Baseball Autumn Waseda-Keio rivalry. In the post-war era, as cheering styles were modernized, these decorations were set up to build momentum for defeating their "worthy rival Waseda." Let us take a look back at their history.

According to the "75-Year History of the Keio University Cheer Group" compiled in 2008 (Heisei 20), the decorations first appeared in the autumn Waseda-Keio rivalry of 1950 (Showa 25). This was a game attended by the Emperor and Empress, and behind the packed stands of Meiji Jingu Stadium, a large illustration of Kintaro throwing a bear was depicted. After the stadium was returned to Meiji Jingu by the U.S. military in March 1952 (Showa 27), all Tokyo Big6 Baseball spring and autumn games came to be held there, and the league's popularity grew even further.

Around the same time, based on the idea that "since mice eat the 'rice' (ine) of Waseda, why not make a mouse the mascot?", the Cheer Group began using Mickey Mouse as a cheering motif. Later, they reportedly visited Walt Disney's Tokyo office to request official recognition of Mickey Mouse as the official mascot of Keio University. While official approval was not granted, they were able to feature Mickey Mouse in the decorations by following copyright usage procedures.

While the Cheer Group was considering whether it would be better to devise a new mascot, then-member Yoshio Hamaoka (1964, Faculty of Law) created a motif by adding a unique design to the fictional unicorn "Unicon." A pair of these "Unicon" statues were installed on the third-floor balcony of the Public Hall, which stood near the Mita West School Building, and were beloved by Keio students and faculty alike. The circumstances of their installation remain unknown. They were severely damaged in the 1945 (Showa 20) air raids; one was repaired, and the other, which had gone missing, was restored. They are now located near the main gate of Chutobu Junior High School.

Thus, the "Unicon" that appeared on the large signboards for the autumn 1962 (Showa 37) Waseda-Keio rivalry was presented as a man and woman in formal attire, out of a desire to bring happiness to the two statues that had suffered misfortune after decorating the Public Hall. They successfully led the team to a championship that season. Although Mickey Mouse was used again later, they are now established as the official characters of the Cheer Group, known as "Unicon-kun" and "Uniko-chan."

For two years starting in 2020 (Reiwa 2), the decorations disappeared due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and their installation this autumn is also reportedly undecided. We hope that in the near future, they will once again color the autumn sky of Jingu Stadium and warmly watch over the Keio students and Keio University alumni cheering for the baseball team.

(Office of Communications and Public Relations)