A Look at Extracurricular Activities in the Early Days: Amidst the Growing Momentum for Reform

1999/09/01

Published in "Juku" No. 221, 1999

The momentum for reform that arose at Keio University around 1897 was not limited to developments in academic research but also spread among Keio students. As a result, they established one new organization after another, suitable for university activities.
Cultural extracurricular activities were one such example, and organizations such as the Mita Buddhist Association, the Keio University YMCA, the English Club, the Palette Club, and the Wagner Society were formed as a place for students' self-improvement and to pursue their hobbies.
Along with the Keio University Athletic Association, which had already begun its activities in 1892, extracurricular activities at Keio became active in both athletics and culture during this period.

The extracurricular organizations formed around 1897 can be broadly divided into two categories based on their formation process and content: those for deepening students' cultural refinement and those for hobbies. Both later became major components of the Federation of Cultural Organizations.

First, the following three organizations can be mentioned as those formed for student self-improvement.

This association has a long history, holding its inauguration ceremony on October 25, 1890, with the support of Yukichi Fukuzawa.

It was initially called the Keio Gijuku Bukkyo Sonenkai (Keio University Young Men's Buddhist Association), then renamed the Doyokai (Saturday Society), then the Mita Buddhist Association, and finally the current Bukkyo Seinenkai (Young Men's Buddhist Association). Meetings were often held at Fukuzawa's residence, and Fukuzawa himself attended lectures on the *Awakening of Faith in the Mahayana*.

On April 8, 1892, ahead of other schools, it held a grand celebration for "Shakuson Kotan-e" (Buddha's Birthday), where Fukuzawa, Tokujirō Obata, and others attended and delivered public speeches. In 1899, it was revived as the Mita Buddhist Association and flourished.

It was formed in September 1898 by students from the departments of literature, political economy, and political science, as well as the Keio Futsubu School and the School of Commerce.

In November of the following year, it established its rules, held regular meetings and public speaking events, and took on the role of the headquarters for the Federation of Cultural Organizations. It has long been known as a small but cohesive group.

Although the exact date of its founding is unknown, it was already holding an autumn conference in November 1895. With the aim of studying practical English, it initially held weekly English debates and monthly regular meetings to practice English public speaking and conversation, with Ichitaro Fukuzawa (Fukuzawa's eldest son) as honorary chairman.

Revived in 1900, it was reorganized and renamed the University English Club, limiting its membership to college students. However, in 1903, it merged with the English Club organized by students of the Keio Futsubu School to become the Keio University English Club.

Furthermore, in 1905, the Keio University English Speaking Society (E.S.S.) was established, centered on college students. Membership was open to all interested Keio students, regardless of whether they were in the college or the Keio Futsubu School. Article 6 of its rules stipulated, "The use of Japanese is strictly forbidden during all meetings; only English shall be used." This is the root of today's Keio University English Speaking Society.

In addition to these, English clubs organized by grade level were also active.

As for early organizations centered on hobbies, the following two are well-known.

This was an organization formed in 1898 by painting enthusiasts, and it held its first exhibition as early as November of the same year. There is an anecdote that at the time of its founding, they received 30 yen from Fukuzawa to purchase picture frames.

From 1899, in addition to holding exhibitions during the athletic meet, they also provided illustrations for "Mita no Hana," which was published as a bulletin for the athletic meet. It is also said that they drew and sold postcards. It is one of the few clubs with a long tradition that has continued to this day without changing its name.

Established in 1902 by music lovers, they held workshops during the summer vacation to practice diligently and performed at the regular meetings of the University Club. This organization, too, is one of the few that has continued to this day without a name change.

As described above, the first half of the Meiji 30s (1897–1906) was a time of momentum for reform, triggered by educational system reforms. The students' spirit of independence and self-reliance developed in various fields, and coupled with an increase in the number of students, showed considerable activity. Among these activities, the founding of clubs constituted a major part of student life during this era.

The 3rd match of the '99 Japan-UK University Rugby Championship, commemorating the 100th anniversary of rugby in Japan (a match commemorating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Keio University Athletic Association Rugby Football Club), featuring Keio University vs. Cambridge University, will be held on Saturday, September 11, from 2:00 PM at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium (Tokyo). On the following day, the 12th, a commemorative ceremony and celebration are scheduled to be held at Mita Campus.