News

A Buddhist memorial service to mark the 125th anniversary of Yukichi Fukuzawa's passing was held on Monday, February 3 at Azabu-san Zenpuku-ji, a temple in Moto-Azabu, Minato City. Many people associated with Keio University prayed in front of Fukuzawa's grave on this day dedicated to his memory, including students from Keio's affiliated schools, alumni, faculty, and staff members. A long line of visitors streamed in throughout the day to pay their respects. They were blessed with good weather as occasional gentle rays of sunlight peeked through the lightly overcast clouds.

On February 3, 1901, Fukuzawa passed away of a stroke in his home that was located on Mita Campus. He was 66 years old. Respecting Yukichi Fukuzawa's belief that Keio University belongs to the wider Keio community, his family decided to hold a private funeral on February 8, at Zenpuku-ji, the temple that the Fukuzawa family is affiliated with, rather than having it be organized by the university. After the funeral, he was buried in a graveyard in Kami-Osaki (which later became the Joko-ji cemetery) according to his will; however, in 1977, his remains were moved to Azabu-san Zenpuku-ji, where his grave stands to this day.