Spring Waseda-Keio rivalry

When entering Keio, some people worry about whether they will be able to get along with those around them.

Some worry about whether they can become close with students who advanced from within Keio.

Some wonder what it will be like with people from different schools, even if they are all part of Keio.

However, such worries are unnecessary.

From the entrance ceremony in April, you will naturally become friends through classes as well as fun events like excursions and trips.

And two months after entering, when you link arms and sing "Wakaki-chi" at the spring Waseda-Keio rivalry in the Tokyo Big6 Baseball League, students from all entry points and all schools have naturally become one as fellow Keio students.  

Here are the impressions and photos of students who participated in the Waseda-Keio rivalry on June 1 and 2, 2024.

(1st-year students are those who newly entered through the entrance examination.)  

[Keio Futsubu School 1st Year]

"I love watching baseball. That's why I was looking forward to the Waseda-Keio rivalry. Since it was one of the events I had been looking forward to ever since I passed the exam for Keio Futsubu School, I couldn't sleep well the night before. (omitted) After the game, we sang our respective school songs, and just when I thought we were about to disband, I heard voices from the Waseda side shouting, 'Go for it, go for it, Keio!' I realized that such a wonderful culture of sending cheers to each other existed between Keio and Waseda. Although we lost the game, I felt that today was very fun and a precious experience."

[Keio Shonan Fujisawa Junior & Senior High School 4th Year (10th Grade)]

When I arrived at Gaienmae Station, the ticket gates were already filled with people wearing Waseda or Keio T-shirts, and even though it was before the game, I was overwhelmed by the excitement of the Waseda-Keio rivalry. On the way from Gaienmae to Jingu Stadium, there were many groups talking happily with Waseda-Keio cheering goods in hand, and my own excitement gradually began to rise. Even before I took my seat, I was already caught up in the fever of the Waseda-Keio rivalry.

[Keio Shonan Fujisawa Junior & Senior High School 4th Year (10th Grade)]

"I had heard the term 'Waseda-Keio rivalry' before, but until now it had nothing to do with me and I had no interest in it. However, from now on it's different. ...Cheering with all my might, that cheer reaching the players, and leading to a score. I was able to experience the fun, joy, and excitement of that for the first time, and I think today will remain a precious memory. It was my first Waseda-Keio rivalry, and I thought it was a really good event where I could have many new experiences."

[Keio Girls Senior High School 1st Year]

I was surprised by the sense of unity and power of the affiliated schools coming together as one to cheer for a single team. It was a great opportunity to feel the freshness of watching sports under the name of Keio, not only with students from the girls' high school I usually attend, but also with students from other affiliated schools, university seniors, and alumni.

[Keio Senior High School 1st Year]

Since it was my first time watching baseball at a stadium, I headed to Jingu Stadium with high expectations. Watching the Waseda-Keio rivalry there, I was overwhelmed by the power and unity of the cheering. I felt firsthand that many people can become one through the connection of "Keio University," and I felt a deep heat in my chest. I truly want to go cheer at the Waseda-Keio rivalry again.

[Keio Futsubu School 2nd Year]

"On June 1st, in the spring rain, we linked arms and sang. It was a refreshing feeling. I thought, this is 'tradition.' I learned that the culture that has been passed down to the next generation every year is gathered in this stadium. Because we lost the game badly, I was able to turn my eyes to things like that as well."

[Keio Girls Senior High School 1st Year]

This Waseda-Keio rivalry was my first time watching. I was moved by the sight of everyone, from current students to alumni, transcending generations to sing the same songs and cheer with all their might. The result was disappointing, but being able to cheer together as one was a very precious experience.

[Keio Girls Senior High School 1st Year]

It was my first time participating in the Waseda-Keio rivalry, but thanks to the Keio University Cheerleading Team and the cheerleaders, I was able to have a lot of fun and cheer passionately. Also, through the game and the exchange of cheers, I was able to once again feel the philosophy of Keio University, which is to pay respect to oneself and others, making it a very meaningful experience.

[Keio Shonan Fujisawa Junior & Senior High School 4th Year (10th Grade)]

At the Waseda-Keio rivalry, I was very happy to be able to sing the long-awaited "Juku-ka" and "Wakaki-chi" at the call of the Keio University Cheerleading Team, and it became my best memory of high school. Also, I think the wonderful thing about the Waseda-Keio rivalry is being able to treat the opposing school with respect, starting with the exchange of cheers with Waseda University before and after the game. I was very moved by the cheers praising each other as rivals with closely matched abilities. Many elderly people also came, and they were talking with smiles like a class reunion. Seeing that, I could feel the strength of everyone's love for their alma mater. I sang "Wakaki-chi" loudly and honestly thought it would be great if every day were the Waseda-Keio rivalry.

[Keio Shonan Fujisawa Junior & Senior High School 4th Year (10th Grade)]

Through this Waseda-Keio rivalry, I was able to learn about the spirit of mutual respect. Before watching the Waseda-Keio rivalry, I thought that Keio and Waseda were opposite schools and had arbitrarily assumed that they might have a bad relationship. However, when I actually saw the game, I realized that they are by no means on bad terms, and it was completely different from what I had thought.

Before the game started, a member of the Waseda cheering squad came to the Keio cheering stand, and a member of the Keio University Cheerleading Team went to the Waseda cheering stand to perform each other's cheers. Seeing that, I felt that they respected each other's cheering.

I have come to think that the Waseda-Keio rivalry is not a match where you clash and force your beliefs on each other, but a match where you respect each other. For me, this game was not just a simple baseball game, but a match to deepen friendship as a new member of Waseda-Keio. I want to carry on this traditional match that has been passed down through World War II as a member of Keio.

[Keio Shonan Fujisawa Junior & Senior High School 4th Year (10th Grade)]

When I returned to Japan and attended a local junior high school, I thought that Japanese schools didn't have much school spirit compared to America, but my expectations were betrayed in a good way. Not only the cheering guidance, but everyone's singing and cheering were full of heat until the end of the game. Even I, who couldn't really get emotionally involved when going to watch sports until now, was able to participate in the cheering passionately for this Waseda-Keio rivalry.

[Keio Senior High School 3rd Year]

It was a frustrating game where we were overwhelmed by Waseda from start to finish and shown Waseda's exciting cheering. However, when I remember that the second game of last spring was a landslide victory of 15 to 1, I think that it is precisely because there are frustrating losses that the joy of subsequent victories is so great. After the game, I sang "Keio Sanka" with deep emotion. It was a day that deepened my feelings for the Waseda-Keio rivalry and Keio University.