The Libraries of the Affiliated Schools

(Posted April 2025)

Woodblocks are embedded in the reading desks in the children's library.

Many of these woodblocks date back to the early Meiji era and were actually used to print works by Fukuzawa Yukichi, such as "Kunmo Kyuri Zukai" and "Keimo Tenarai no Bun." We feel it is characteristic of Yochisha Elementary School that these woodblocks are not displayed in cases, but are made available for children to touch directly. When children see them for the first time, they exclaim things like, "The letters are backward!" or "The letters are bumpy!" This sparks their interest and curiosity.

These reading desks were created in 1937 to commemorate the relocation of Yochisha Elementary School from Mita to Hiroo. The desks themselves utilize the then-innovative technology of plywood. Yochisha students who want to read or study quietly still come to use them today.

Keio Girls Senior High School—Reference Books—: [Keio University]

Keio Senior High School—Book Selection Tours—: [Keio University]

Chutobu Junior High School—Reading Memos—: [Keio University]

Keio Yokohama Elementary School—Insect Specimens and Picture Books—: [Keio University]

Yochisha Elementary School—Woodblocks in the Reading Desks—: [Keio University]

Keio Shonan Fujisawa Junior & Senior High School—Foreign Books Corner—: [Keio University]

Keio Shiki Senior High School—Doors to Learning—: [Keio University]

Keio Futsubu School—Everyone's Secret Hideout—: [Keio University]

Keio Academy of New York—Book Club—: [Keio University]