February 13, 2023
A Buddhist memorial service to mark the 123rd anniversary of Yukichi Fukuzawa's passing was held on Friday, February 3 at Azabu-san Zenpuku-ji, a temple in Moto-Azabu, Minato City. Although the long line of people that would usually form on the memorial day again did not materialize this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, President Itoh and the visitors who came to pay their respects quietly prayed in front of Fukuzawa's grave in accordance with measures to prevent infections.
Fukuzawa passed away of a stroke in his home located on Mita Campus on February 3, 1901. He was 66 years old. Originally, he was buried in a graveyard in Kami-Osaki (which later became the Joko-ji cemetery); however, in 1977, his remains were moved to Azabu-san Zenpuku-ji. Fukuzawa's posthumous Buddhist name is "Daikan'in Dokuritsu Jison Koji," which roughly translates to "saint of independence and self-respect." This name was chosen by Tokujiro Obata, the eldest member of Keio University at the time, as he felt that something which incorporated the principle of "independence and self-respect" would be most suitable for Fukuzawa. This name is engraved on Fukuzawa’s tombstone.
*Photographs were taken in accordance with infection control measures.
Photo: Takeshi Kishi