Keio University
“Turn the World Upside Down”
Fukuzawa Yukichi died exactly 125 years ago, on February 3, 1901. To commemorate this occasion, the Fukuzawa Yukichi Memorial Keio History Museum will hold a special exhibition revisiting his final days.
When did Fukuzawa begin to acknowledge his advancing age? A close reading of his later writings and speeches reveals a growing awareness of the next generation. In one address, he described feeling “infinite anguish” as he pondered whether the pursuit of “civilization” would continue after his death. In another, he urged people to keep “turning the world upside down” until the very end. It was one year before his death that the phrase dokuritsu jison, or independence and self-respect, came to be clearly established as an expression of Fukuzawa’s spirit. Detailed records also remain of his struggle following a stroke, as well as the events leading to his passing.
Through a wealth of materials from his final years, this exhibition considers what Fukuzawa most wished to leave behind and whether his aspirations were ultimately realized.
Dates: June 18 (Thurs.)– August 29 (Sat.), 2026
Closed: Sundays, public holidays, June 24 (Wed.), and July 22 (Wed.)
Also closed for the summer break: August 10 (Mon.)–August 17 (Mon.)
Venue: Old University Library 2nd Floor, Keio History Museum, Special Exhibition Room
Location: Keio History Museum Temporary Exhibition Room, Old University Library (2F)
Museum hours: 10:00–18:00 (last entry 17:30)
Admission: Free and open to the public
Exhibition page: https://history.keio.ac.jp/?page_id=4731 (available in Japanese)
*Please check the museum’s website for the latest information: https://history.keio.ac.jp/en/
For further information, please refer to the following PDF file.