Mita Campus History and Art Guide

The history of Mita Campus began in 1871 (Meiji 4), when Keio University moved from Shinsen-za in Shiba to the former Shimabara Domain middle residence in Mita. Some trees, such as the Ginkgo Tree in the Quad, are believed to have been growing there since the time of the former Shimabara Domain residence. A deep history lives on in this campus, where modern school buildings and charming Important Cultural Properties blend naturally together.

Are you aware that in addition to the Old University Library, which is an Important Cultural Property, Mita Campus is dotted with various historical buildings and artworks such as sculptures and paintings? Many of these artworks were created after World War II. This is deeply related to the fact that Keio University suffered the most war damage of any Japanese university. After the war, reconstruction plans for the school buildings proceeded at a rapid pace, centered around architect Yoshiro Taniguchi. Even while struggling with a shortage of classrooms and financial difficulties, they believed that simply building "boxes" (classrooms) was meaningless. It is said that they poured their hearts and souls into spatial design as a "comprehensive art" (Sogo Geijutsu) that combined buildings, gardens, paintings, and sculptures. The coexistence of buildings, monuments, trees, and artworks by top-tier artists that speak of history and culture in a place of learning reveals the kind of environment in which the Juku wishes to nurture its students.

We want many people to know that the campus is not only a place of learning but also a place of "comprehensive art." The "Mita Campus History and Art Guide (Rekigei Guide)" was created based on this sentiment. As a preliminary step to the production of the Rekigei Guide, I would also like to mention the creation of the campus map. Keio University campus maps have been produced since 1993. Starting with a plan view, it quickly evolved into a bird's-eye view map drawn based on aerial photographs. Because it is bellows-folded with the top cut at an angle, all campus names are visible at different levels when folded; it is said that a member of the Office of Communications and Public Relations at the time came up with this idea after seeing a menu at a hotel bar.

The campus map was well-received, but it was strictly a map for confirming the locations of buildings and did not include monuments or sculptures. Therefore, "Let's Take a Walk Around Mita Campus" (commonly known as the "O-sanpo Map") was created in 1997. It was a map you could carry while walking, featuring numbered buildings, monuments, and sculptures, and even included the locations of vending machines, restrooms, cafeterias, and the Co-op store. It even included a unique attempt to list Yukichi Fukuzawa's height, weight, waist measurement, and lung capacity. Later, when the Admissions Center, responsible for admissions public relations, created a campus highlights map for high school students, the Office of Communications and Public Relations' "O-sanpo Map" differentiated itself as a more serious map dealing with architecture, history, and art, and was named the History and Art Guide, which continues to this day. When visiting Mita Campus, please pick one up at the Information Plaza or other locations and enjoy the history and artworks of the campus.