150th Anniversary of the Mita Public Speaking Event

2024/12/11

The word "public speaking" (enzetsu), now used by everyone, was coined by Yukichi Fukuzawa as a translation for the English word "speech." Fukuzawa, who incorporated "public speaking" as part of education, decided to open it not only to Keio University but also to the general public. The "Mita Public Speaking Event" was organized in 1874 (Meiji 7) by Fukuzawa and his disciples. This year marks the 150th anniversary of its founding. We would like to reflect on the ideals of "public speaking" and consider how they have been inherited.

The Mita Public Speaking Event holds lectures on different themes each year, attracting a diverse audience (photo from 2023).

In pre-modern Japan, the rule was to document formal opinions, and spoken opinions were considered of little importance. However, with the growing momentum for establishing a parliament in Japan after the Meiji Restoration, expressing opinions orally became indispensable. Yukichi Fukuzawa, who had mastered the Western concept of "speech," first applied the translated term "public speaking" (enzetsu) to it. "Public speaking is what is called 'speech' in English; it is the art of gathering a large number of people to state one's views and convey one's thoughts to others from the rostrum" ("Gakumon no susume (An Encouragement of Learning)," Part 12).

Next, he began by "developing" a methodology for the practice of public speaking with students from Keio University. An impressive lineup of members gathered, including Tokujirō Obata and Nobukichi Koizumi. They explored the basic techniques and styles of speaking, and it is said that they promised each other "never to laugh out loud," perhaps because their exchanges sometimes sounded comical to one another. Through trial and error, they gradually established rules for public speaking and debate, refining a style of public speaking in Japanese.

In 1874 (Meiji 7), they organized the Mita Public Speaking Event and opened "public speaking" to the general public. The following year, they opened the Enzetsukan (Public Speaking Hall) on the Mita Campus as Japan's first dedicated public speaking hall. They also published books and rules on methods of public speaking and debate, and eventually, the "public speaking" originating from Keio University became widely accepted by many people.

In the first half of the 1880s (early Meiji 10s), public speaking activities flourished nationwide due to the rise of the Freedom and People's Rights Movement, which called for the establishment of a constitution and the opening of a national assembly. Records of speakers and public speaking societies from that time show that many were Keio University alumni, indicating that the Mita Public Speaking Event played a major role in this "age of public speaking." In the early days of the Imperial Diet, Keio University alumni such as Yukio Ozaki, Tsuyoshi Inukai, and Kakugoro Inoue were often the highlights of debates.

Nevertheless, the Mita Public Speaking Event was by no means biased toward political discourse; rather, it aimed to be an academic public speaking event. It invited leading figures of the time from various fields who were also active internationally, such as Hideyo Noguchi in bacteriology, Ekai Kawaguchi in Tibetan studies, and Fusakichi Omori in seismology.

During the Taisho Democracy era, the power of speech once again moved society, much like during the Freedom and People's Rights Movement, as exemplified by the Movement to Protect Constitutional Government, led by Yukio Ozaki, which forced the Taro Katsura cabinet to resign en masse. As Japan's status in the international community grew, partly due to its participation in World War I, the Mita Public Speaking Event began to feature more topics related to international affairs, including Europe and Asia.

However, in the early Showa period, as the military's unchecked power grew following coup d'états like the May 15 Incident and the February 26 Incident, vigilance against the power of speech increased. Tsuyoshi Inukai, who famously told the young officers who stormed the Prime Minister's residence and pointed their guns at him during the May 15 Incident, "If we talk, you will understand," can be said to have believed in the power of speech—that is, public speaking—to the very end. Subsequently, various pressures were placed on public speaking societies, and the Mita Public Speaking Event was also suspended after its 1939 (Showa 14) session during the Second Sino-Japanese War.

After the war, the Mita Public Speaking Event was revived in 1951 (Showa 26), the year Japan made a fresh start as an independent nation. Since then, it has steadily built upon the tradition of "public speaking" at Keio University. Currently, it serves as an opportunity for university faculty and Keio University alumni to give speeches, mainly in December each year, and it also invites the general public to attend. And this year, 2024, marks the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Mita Public Speaking Event.

In addition to "public speaking," other translated terms popularized by Fukuzawa include "debate" (benron/tōron). The oratorical contests held annually at the Enzetsukan (Public Speaking Hall) by the Debating Society (Benronbu), an officially authorized student club, can also be seen as inheritors of the power of speech envisioned by Fukuzawa. Furthermore, the student-led "Japanese Speech Contest by International Students" is held at the Enzetsukan (Public Speaking Hall), carrying on Fukuzawa's philosophy of opening up opportunities for many people to perform and listen to public speaking, evolving into a form befitting a globalized society.

In today's rapidly advancing information society, anyone can easily express their opinions and arguments using communication tools like social media. However, in a virtual space overflowing with vast amounts of information, it is difficult to fully understand diverse values merely by chasing fragmented information on a screen, and this has actually led to negative consequences such as "flaming" and "division."

It is precisely in times like these that we should once again appreciate the significance of "public speaking" as envisioned by Fukuzawa—an act of watching the speaker's every move and facial expression, sharing the atmosphere and time with the audience, and thinking earnestly together.

This building was constructed in 1875 (Meiji 8) as a dedicated public speaking hall for the Mita Public Speaking Event. It is designated as a national Important Cultural Property. Even today, it is used for the Mita Public Speaking Event, honorary doctorate conferral ceremonies, and lectures. A bust of Yukichi Fukuzawa is placed nearby. (The interior is not open to the public during normal times.)

Held annually in December. Details will be announced on the Keio University website once they are finalized. The general public is welcome to attend (reservations required).

Details on the Mita Public Speaking Event

This article was published in the "Stained Glass" section of "Juku" AUTUMN 2024 (No. 324).