Mita Festival

2018/11/27

The Mita Festival, held every November, dates back to the so-called Bunren Festival starting in 1951. It was originally held jointly by the Federation of Academic Research Organizations and the Federation of Cultural Organizations. In 1953, it was named the Mita Festival. In 1958, marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of Keio University, it was held across campuses as a university-wide "Centennial Festival" that included affiliated schools. The current Mita Festival counts the following year, which marked the start of Keio University's second century, as its first iteration, and it has since become a staple autumn event at the Mita Campus. The photo shows the 8th Mita Festival in 1966. Looking at the "Mita Shimbun" of the time, there were discussions about the event becoming repetitive year after year, leading to bold planning for the 10th anniversary. Each proposal was asked, "Why plan this, and what will be gained from it?" The headquarters' theme was "Japan's Choices at a Turning Point," featuring lectures and symposia. A lecture titled "Tomorrow's Japan" by Aiichiro Fujiyama, then Director-General of the Economic Planning Agency, filled the large lecture hall to capacity. The Speech and Debating Society attempted outdoor public speaking sessions, choosing themes such as "The Theory of Female College Students Ruining the Nation" and "Women and Careers," which were sparked by weekly magazine articles. Other topics included "Okinawa, the Island of Tragedy" during the height of the reversion movement, and "Political Corruption," attracting crowds with banners. On the other hand, the raffle was revived, and long lines formed along the Academic Affairs Office on the first floor of the South Building for 100-yen raffle tickets.

What kind of year was 1966? In March, Japan's total population exceeded 100 million. In June, the Beatles visited Japan, and in July, the construction of a new international airport in Narita was decided. On campus, the tuition hike dispute from the previous year had been settled, and in September, Sartre and Beauvoir visited the Juku, where students welcomed them enthusiastically. It is said that Sartre was even somewhat intimidated by the fervor. The courtyard of the Mita Campus, which did not yet have the Keio University Library (New Building) or the Graduate School Building, was spacious and open, presenting a different appearance from the current Mita Festival.

Subsequently, unique school festivals began at other campuses. In 1978, the Yotsuya Festival started at the School of Medicine. At the Shonan Fujisawa Campus (SFC), the Autumn Festival began in 1992, two full years after its opening. At the Yagami Campus, the Yagami Festival has been held since 2000. At the Shiba-Kyoritsu Campus, the Shiba-Kyoyaku Festival has been held since 2008, taking over the Kyoyaku Festival that began in 1947. This year as well, many visitors will likely attend these creatively planned school festivals.