Every year, on January 10, the Keio University community celebrates the birthday of Yukichi Fukuzawa, the founder of the university. (Fukuzawa was born on December 12 of the fifth year of the Tenpō era, which is January 10, 1835 in the solar calendar.)
This year, the celebrations of the 182nd anniversary of Yukichi Fukuzawa’s birthday was held again in the West School Building Hall on Mita Campus on Tuesday, January 10.
In a full hall, the ceremony began with children from Keio Yochisha Elementary School singing “Here Stands Yukichi Fukuzawa” and the Wagner Society singing “nihon no hokori (Japanese pride)”. Then there was a new year’s greeting from President Seike. Afterwards, Professor Keita Yamauchi from the Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care gave a commemorative lecture titled “Fukuzawa and Sports — the 125th Anniversary of the Athletic Association.”After the lecture, Takeshi Fukuzawa greeted the audience on behalf of the Fukuzawa family.
An award ceremony for the Keio University sponsored national high school student essay contest established in honor of Shinzo Koizumi, a former president of the university, followed. The winning essay was selected from among the 388 great works received, and the winner was given a certificate and commemorative gift from President Seike.
After the celebrations, a New Year’s Name Card Exchange was held at the student cafeteria. New year’s greetings were exchanged in a friendly atmosphere.
Furthermore, many people were seen in front of the Old University Library taking pictures of the building as well as with the statue of Yukichi Fukuzawa. Construction work to make the Old University Library earthquake-proof will begin soon.