The Mysterious "Connections" I Felt Upon Taking Office | Yuko Takeda, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care
October 22, 2019
When I heard that the "Okashira Nikki" (The Leader's Diary) was being revived, I wondered, "Why now?" But that question was quickly answered when I saw that the originator, Mr. Kato, was writing as the "Okashira" (in "The Beginning of the Okashira Nikki," October 1, 2019). I was also able to learn about his passion for this idea. As a reader, I certainly found it to be an interesting project and enjoyed reading it, but now that my position has changed, I realize this might be quite a challenge. Especially for someone like me, who is not a natural writer and has been a die-hard hater of composition since elementary school, I must admit I feel a bit daunted. However, I believe that having an experience I would never have ventured into on my own is also a kind of "en" (connection/fate), so I've decided to make "connections" the theme for this time.
Upon my recent appointment as Dean, my first "job" (?) was a photo shoot for publicity. Just as I dislike writing, I also dislike having my picture taken, so I headed to the designated venue with a bit of a heavy heart. There, I was greeted by the photographer in charge of the shoot. When I heard his name, I remembered something my father had told me when I first came to Keio. He had mentioned that the "son of a close friend" was an "exclusive photographer for Keio" and asked if I knew him. Of course, having just arrived, there was no way I would have known him. After that, although I would see his name credited as the photographer for various photos of the Juku, I never had the chance to meet him. That we would meet at this very moment, with him in charge of my photo shoot, was a surprise. I immediately introduced myself, saying, "I am the daughter of your father's friend." We spent a short while exchanging updates about our families, which allowed me to relax for the photo shoot. Even so, my facial muscles were still stiff from the unfamiliar poses.
My father was a Keio University alumnus, but I have almost no memory of him talking about the Juku. However, when I took up my post, he began diligently donating to the Juku, attended the Reunion for Keio Alumni, and would happily tell me everything, from "I went and heard the President speak!" to memories of his seminars. It made me feel firsthand the spirit of Keio Gijuku Shachu and the strong love that Keio University alumni have for their alma mater. That same father passed away this January at the age of 92. Being able to report my appointment as Dean before his Buddhist altar, along with the photograph taken by the son of his close friend, made me feel a mysterious connection, and I felt as though I was able to do something to honor his memory.
This is an aside, but speaking of connections, my parents' love story began when my father boarded at the home of my maternal grandfather, who was a professor at Keio. The fact that I was born and am now working at the Juku also feels like a mysterious connection.