Yochisha's 150th Anniversary—A Scene Watching Over the Ko'uma
October 31, 2024
Upon entering the main entrance of Yochisha, on the wall to the right of the entrance, you will find a shadow picture titled "Ko'uma Fledging in the Passage of Time," created by shadow picture artist Seiji Fujishiro. On the left is the Yochisha 150th anniversary logo, designed by creative director Kashiwa Sato. When Yochisha students pass through the main entrance on their way to and from school, these two works of art always watch over them warmly.
The shadow picture "Ko'uma Fledging in the Passage of Time," installed on January 29, 2008, depicts the zelkova tree soaring high into the sky on the Yochisha grounds and the Ko'uma running around it, taking flight into the vast sky. The Ko'uma represent the Yochisha students. Mr. Fujishiro gladly accepted the request to "create a shadow picture of a scene that anyone familiar with Yochisha would immediately recognize." As inscribed in the poem that accompanied the shadow picture, the scene dynamically illustrates how "(...) the Ko'uma learn much and grow, eventually becoming fine horses with wonderful dreams and hopes, taking flight into the vast sky toward the future," splendidly representing the six years spent at Yochisha.
The 150th anniversary logo, created to commemorate Yochisha's 150th anniversary in 2024, was designed by Mr. Sato based on the concept of "150 years of diverse personalities coexisting and shining." It was completed in January 2022 after numerous discussions between Mr. Sato and the faculty. As Mr. Sato explained, "The letters K-E-I-O, colored in their respective class colors, are all composed of different fonts, yet they are firmly united under The Pen Mark. The letters of YOCHISHA look as if Yochisha students with various personalities are standing cheerfully side by side. The unique '150TH' also tells the story of 150 years of history, where no two years were the same." The logo expresses the essence of Yochisha: "shining through coexistence while recognizing differences."
And, past the shadow picture and the 150th anniversary logo, a large zelkova tree, the symbol of Yochisha, stands in the middle of the spacious grounds. There were originally two zelkova trees, but one was cut down in 2021 for safety reasons. During morning assemblies, physical education classes, club activities, and recess, the large zelkova tree always watches over the Yochisha students.
On May 30 of this year, Yochisha held its 150th Anniversary Commemorative Ceremony at the Hiyoshi Commemorative Hall, attended by approximately 3,000 people, including current students, parents, faculty and staff, and alumni. The long span of 150 years made us realize once again how much support we have received from so many people. As we look toward the next 175th and 200th anniversaries, the scenery of Yochisha may change, but we hope it will forever remain a place that warmly watches over its students.
(Junko Hirota, Administrative Director, Yochisha)
*Affiliations and titles are as of the time of this publication.