Okashira Relay Talk: My Apologies, I Hadn't Seen It? | Kenji Kumasaka (Dean of the Faculty of Environment and Information Studies)
2004.06.03
In my 57 years of life, I have been associated with Keio University for a very long time, but I have never once gone to cheer at the Waseda-Keio rivalry. When I was an undergraduate, I was at the rival Waseda University, but I never went to the Waseda-Keio rivalry there either. It was 40 years ago, so I can't be blamed for it now, but that is a fact from my past.
If the reason I didn't go to the Waseda-Keio rivalry was that I dislike baseball, that would be understandable, but I love baseball. In elementary school, I was the school's number 2? pitcher. It's a shame that I never got to stand on the mound, as we were eliminated in the first round of the official tournament. Anyway, the point is, I like baseball. I can boast that I'm from the generation that lived alongside Shigeo Nagashima, and I share many memories associated with his 444 home runs. My baseball life ended with his retirement in 1974. But now, I say, "Go, Nagashima!"
When I was a student, I was really into music. I studied? everything from Johnny Hodges to Ornette Coleman in my own way (*not the kind of study like "A Study of the History of the Chinese Communist Party"). Of course, I memorized the melodies, but unfortunately, I don't recall ever memorizing the lyrics to a single song. There isn't a single song I can sing all the way through. My memory device is clearly broken in this regard. I just disliked the act of singing. So, to say that's why I never went to Jingu Stadium until today might sound like a poor excuse, but it's the truth.
On May 29, I finally went to see the Waseda-Keio rivalry. Keio won an overwhelming victory, with the bonus of a grand slam home run. I had a great time with Mr. Kojima and others, cheering for Keio while grumbling about the game's progress.
After the game, I witnessed another moving moment. The exchange of cheers, and then everyone singing the Juku-ka with all their hearts, savoring the victory. It must have been special, being a victory after 10 consecutive losses. Watching that, I thought that singing isn't so bad after all. Maybe it's my age.
My face is stinging from sunburn. Have I finally earned my qualification as a member of the Keio Gijuku Shachu?
(Date of publication: 2004/06/03)