2007/07/01
Published in "Juku" No. 255, 2007
The Keio School Flag, known as the "Blue Red and Blue," flies powerfully at Jingu Stadium during the Waseda-Keio rivalry.
As a visual symbol of Keio, it is raised at ceremonies, events, and gatherings of Keio University alumni.
This article introduces various episodes surrounding the history of the Keio School Flag, which is beloved by many.
The Sanshokuki: Born from a Student's Idea
The Keio School Flag, affectionately known as the "Sanshokuki" (three-colored flag) by many, is actually a design of two colors, blue and red, arranged in three horizontal stripes. It was not originally officially established by Keio University. Like The Pen Mark, it was conceived by Keio students and seems to have gradually spread among the student body over the years. The Sanshokuki was apparently "officially recognized" as the Keio School Flag around 1898 (Meiji 31), when Eikichi Kamata became President.
According to former President Kamata in 1930 (Showa 5), when he took office as President, the white fabric of the red-and-white curtains used at athletic meets and other events was changed to light yellow because it was uneconomical and easily stained. "Around that time, there was a need for a school flag, and various ideas were proposed. I suggested that a combination of light yellow and crimson, similar to the previous curtains, would be good. So, The Pen Mark was added, and the Sanshokuki as we use it today was created." However, there is evidence that Keio students were using the Sanshokuki as the "Keio School Flag" even before that. For example, an article in the "Jiji Shimpo" newspaper from November 1894 (Meiji 27) reports that Keio students held a Kandelaar March to celebrate the fall of Port Arthur during the First Sino-Japanese War, and it is noted that the Keio School Flag was flown alongside the national flag in the procession. Furthermore, the December issue of "Fuzoku Gaho" No. 82 from the same year also reported on this procession with illustrations, which included a drawing of a Keio School Flag with The Pen Mark and three colored stripes, although the colors themselves are unclear. Eventually, the light yellow was changed to blue, and by the 1910s (the 40s of the Meiji era), "Blue Red and Blue" became widely used as Keio's school colors.
As the Keio School Flag was created somewhat spontaneously, its colors, shape, and size standards remained inconsistent for a long time. Therefore, in 1964 (Showa 39), the dimensions, colors, pen shape and position, and the ratio of the three colors were clearly defined for the first time under the "Standards for the Keio School Flag." Later, in 1992 (Heisei 4), it was registered as a service mark of Keio and is now legally protected. Then, ahead of Keio's 150th anniversary, the VI (Visual Identity) guidelines for the three symbols—The Pen Mark, the emblem, and the Sanshokuki—were completed in 2005 (Heisei 17). This has made it easier for many people to use Keio's symbols, including the Keio School Flag. The VI guidelines can be downloaded from the website ( Logo Usage: [Keio University] ). Applications for use can also be submitted online.
From Campus to Outer Space
On New Year's Day in 1958 (Showa 33), the centenary of Keio's founding, the Keio School Flag was raised for the first time on the roof of the Jukukan-kyoku (Keio Corporate Administration), located south of the Old University Library. Since then, it has become customary to raise the Keio School Flag on Keio's anniversaries, ceremonies, and other events. Even today, it is not uncommon to see the Keio School Flag flying in the sky on various campuses on anniversaries and other special occasions. The locations where the Keio School Flag is raised on each campus are as follows:
[Mita Campus] Rooftop of Jukukan-kyoku (Keio Corporate Administration), East Building, entrance of Mita Enzetsukan (Public Speaking Hall), entrance of South School Building
[Hiyoshi Campus] Rooftop of Hiyoshi Commemorative Hall
[Yagami Campus] Rooftop of Sosokan
[Shonan Fujisawa Campus (SFC)] In front of Building A (Main Building)
Every Keio student has surely seen the extra-large Keio School Flag displayed on the stage of the Hiyoshi Commemorative Hall at the entrance ceremony. This flag measures 3.3 meters high by 6 meters wide. However, the largest Keio School Flag is the one displayed in the Mita Campus West School Building Hall and North Building Hall, which is slightly taller at 4.1 meters. Additionally, during ceremonies and other events, the Keio School Flag is also displayed on stage at the Mita Enzetsukan (Public Speaking Hall), the large conference room and Kitasato Hall in the New Building on Shinanomachi Campus, and Theta (Θ) Building on the Shonan Fujisawa Campus (SFC).
The Keio School Flag that flies at Jingu Stadium during the Tokyo Big6 Baseball League games is on loan from Keio to the Keio University Cheerleading Team. Currently, the team possesses nine Keio School Flags, including the "Phantom Great Keio School Flag" (3.7m x 4.6m), the "Great Keio School Flag" (4m x 4m), and the "New Age Flag" (3.6m x 4m), which are referred to as 12-jo flags. The "Phantom Great Keio School Flag" was originally made as a stationary flag and is extremely heavy, not designed to be lifted by people, but three team members attempt to raise it in the stands.
The Keio School Flag that has traveled the farthest is likely the one taken aboard the space shuttle by Chiaki Mukai (a 1977 graduate of the School of Medicine), a Keio University alumna and Japan's first female astronaut, in 1994 (Heisei 6) and 1998 (Heisei 10). After her return, Keio School Flag return ceremonies were held at Mita and Shinanomachi.
Born from the initiative of Keio students and passed down through the ages, the Keio School Flag is not just a mere symbol, but an embodiment of the enduring principle of "independence and self-respect."