As is our New Year's custom, the Fukuzawa Yukichi Memorial Centre would like to introduce our newly acquired materials. This practice has a long history at Keio. Every year on January 10th, Fukuzawa Yukichi's birthday, students, alumni, and others related to Keio University gather to celebrate in a tradition that has continued for over a hundred years, since the end of the Meiji period. During this celebration the venue is decorated with calligraphy by Fukuzawa, and it also serves as an opportunity to welcome in the New Year.
After WWII, Keio University's newly acquired materials were unveiled at the celebration venue. In recent years this exhibition has moved to the Old Library Building, and is now an annual event. Previously, the exhibition was only open for viewing on one day: January 10th. However, since the opening of the Keio History Museum, we are now able to extend the exhibition period and welcome many more visitors.
As well as letters and calligraphy written by Fukuzawa, this year's exhibition contains letters written by Fukuzawa's students, a journal and other items belonging to a student of Keio University in the Meiji period, a book collection owned by a Keio graduate and member of the first graduating class of the Nakano School, geta-style skates worn by the founding members of the Ice-skating club, and many more rarities.