Diploma 1

2023/02/28

Image: Conferral of Degree Certificates (FY2021 Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony)

In April 1874 (Meiji 7), the first seven graduates of Keio University were produced. This was based on the establishment of graduation regulations in the previous year, 1873 (Meiji 6), through a revision of the University Regulations, which added the following to the end of the Regular Course Rules of the Teaching Regulations: "1. Those who have completely finished the prescribed studies at this school shall be given a certificate of completion. 1. Those who leave school without incident shall be given a diploma according to their grade." At that time, a certificate called "Sotsugyo no Sho" (Certificate of Graduation) was awarded.

Over time, looking at group graduation photos from the 1950s and 60s (Showa 30s), graduates can be seen holding paper tubes containing their diplomas. These certificate-sized diplomas, which had continued for a long time since before the war, ended with the class of 1961. Starting with the graduates of March 1962, the diploma became A4 size, held in a hard cover with a red line on a navy blue background and the words "Keio University Diploma" written in gold letters. This format continues to this day. Incidentally, the gold lettering on this cover is in the handwriting of Yukichi Fukuzawa.

In an era when there were no word processors, let alone computers, Keio University employed several staff members known as calligraphers (hikko) who wrote signs and other items with brushes. A pictorial in the 1969 issue of the public relations magazine "Juku" shows a calligrapher from the academic affairs office stacking diplomas and writing names with a brush, with an inkstone and a list of graduates beside them. At that time, there were over 5,000 graduates. It is not hard to imagine that writing them all by hand was a daunting task. It is said to have taken several months. This practice, which had continued since before the war, began to be outsourced to contractors shortly thereafter, likely triggered by the departure of the calligrapher from the Juku. In more recent years, probably around 2000, all graduate names began to be printed in typeface. The names of the President and the deans are still printed as copies of their actual signatures.

From academic year 1991, the name of the diploma was changed to "Degree Certificate" (Gakuiki). This was due to the revision of the School Education Act, the Standards for Establishment of Universities, and the Regulations on Academic Degrees in July 1991, which changed the terminology from "Title of Bachelor" to "Degree of Bachelor." Previously, diplomas stated, "Having completed the course of the Faculty of Law prescribed in the Keio University Regulations and obtained the title of Bachelor of Arts in Law, this is hereby certified." From that year on, they read, "Having completed the course of the Faculty of Law prescribed in the University Regulations of Keio University and graduated from this university, the degree of Bachelor of Laws is hereby conferred."

A significant change from this revision was that the name in parentheses could be set according to the field of specialization. Until then, all graduates of the Faculty of Letters were "Bachelor of Arts in Letters," but after the revision, degrees such as Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy), Bachelor of Arts (Letters), and Bachelor of Arts (Human Relations) were established.

Although the diploma became a degree certificate and the gold lettering on the cover changed to "Degree Certificate, Keio University," it remains in the handwriting of Yukichi Fukuzawa.

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