Keio "Juku" Glossary: Waseda-Keio rivalry / Keio-Waseda rivalry (Sokeisen / Keisousen)

2023/05/25

When a conversation with someone unrelated to the Juku turns to baseball, they sometimes correct themselves saying, "The Waseda-Keio rivalry... oh, I mean the Keio-Waseda rivalry," and give me a smile as if to say, "You know how it is." However, the reality is that most people associated with the Juku naturally call it the Waseda-Keio rivalry. Certainly, there is a valid argument that Keio should call it the Keio-Waseda rivalry, just as one might mention the Anglo-Japanese Alliance (Nichi-Ei Doumei). On the other hand, since "Waseda-Keio rivalry" is already established as a proper noun, I also understand the feeling that stubbornly insisting on "Keio-Waseda rivalry" is not in the spirit of the Juku. Even the notice from the Office of Student Services regarding cheering at Jingu Stadium this autumn (Autumn 2022), where attendance was restricted and classes were not shortened, used the term "Waseda-Keio rivalry." The Keio University Cheerleading Team and the Keio-Waseda Baseball Games Support Committee are the bastions of the "Keio-Waseda rivalry." Perhaps this very generosity toward an issue that seems to involve identity is, in itself, the identity of the Juku.

In 2008, the "Encyclopedia of Keio University History" was created to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Juku, with 338 contributors participating. During the editorial meetings, the Waseda-Keio rivalry/Keio-Waseda rivalry issue erupted. It was certainly true that inconsistencies were prominent, especially in the entries for club activities. An attempt was made to unify the notation to "Keio-Waseda rivalry," but strong opposition arose, with some stating, "Our club has never once called it the Keio-Waseda rivalry," leading to an unmanageable situation. In the end, the inconsistencies remained. It is truly mysterious that the Keio side would push for "Waseda-Keio rivalry" rather than Waseda doing so, but this is what makes Keio interesting. Incidentally, there is a theory that the name "Waseda-Keio rivalry" became established because there were many Waseda graduates in the media, but I subscribe to the theory that it is simply because "Sokeisen" (Waseda-Keio) has a better ring to it than "Keisousen" (Keio-Waseda).

I was told about a book titled "Good Words, Bad Words" (1976) by Yoshio Kakegai, a poet and teacher at the Yochisha Elementary School and Keio Futsubu School. Kakegai says, "'Keisousen' feels awkward to both the mouth and the ear." He also notes, "'Keimeisen' (Keio-Meiji) is good, but 'Meikeisen' (Meiji-Keio) would be difficult to say and sound silly." While some offer various logical reasons for the establishment of "Waseda-Keio rivalry," I wrote in my previous column that it might simply be because it sounds better. Following that, I received several voices of agreement for this column, which usually gets no response. One of those responses introduced Kakegai's book. Furthermore, Kakegai did not forget to add: "Just because I advocate that it is better to say 'Waseda' first does not mean I am a secret agent for Waseda."

(November 2022 issue – January 2023 issue)