Waseda University

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Waseda University
早稲田大学

Motto: 学問の独立
(Independence of Learning)
Established: 1882
Type: Private
Endowment: N/A
President: Katsuhiko Shirai
Faculty: 2,038 full-time
3,847 part-time
Staff: N/A
Undergraduates: 45,757
Postgraduates: 8,471
Location: Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
Campus: Urban
Athletics: 43 varsity teams
Colors: Crimson
Mascot: Waseda Bear (official) Image:episode_img10.gif
Affiliations: Universitas 21, APRU, Tokyo Six Universities
Website: Waseda University

Waseda University (早稲田大学 Waseda daigaku?), often abbreviated to Sōdai (早大 Sōdai?), is a private university in Japan. It is known for its liberal climate symbolized by its motto Independence of Learning. Six postwar Prime Ministers are Waseda alumni including the current Japanese Prime Minister: Yasuo Fukuda (2007-present), Tanzan Ishibashi (1956–1957), Noboru Takeshita (1987–1989), Toshiki Kaifu (1989–1991), Keizo Obuchi (1998–2000) and Yoshiro Mori (2000–2001). Waseda's literature program is particularly famous, and counts Haruki Murakami and Tawara Machi among its graduates. Its alumni also boast various corporate leaders such as Masaru Ibuka, co-founder of Sony, Kenichi Ohmae, founder and ex-Senior Partner of McKinsey & Co Japan, Lee Kun-hee, chairman of Samsung, Takeo Fukui, CEO of Honda and many others.

Waseda University is a member of Universitas 21, an international network of 21 leading research-intensive universities.

Contents

[edit] Institution

The Okuma Shigenobu statue on the campus. He founded the University in 1882.
The Okuma Shigenobu statue on the campus. He founded the University in 1882.

[edit] History & Development

The university was founded by samurai scholar and Meiji-era politician and former prime minister Okuma Shigenobu in 1882, and was designated a full university in 1902. It started as a college with three departments under the old Japanese system of higher education.

In 1882, there were department of political science and economics, department of law, and department of physical science. At the same time, along with these departments, English language course was also established, where the students of all the departments could learn English. [1]

Three years later, the department of physical science was closed due to few applicants.[2] Department of science and engineering was newly established in 1908. [3]

Department of literature was established in 1890.[4]

Department of education was established in 1903, and department of commerce was established in 1904.[5]

Much of the campus was destroyed in the firebombings of Tokyo during World War II, but the university was rebuilt and reopened by 1949. It has grown to become a comprehensive university with two senior high schools and a School of Art and Architecture.

[edit] Origin of the name "Waseda University"

Waseda University in 1882.
Waseda University in 1882.

Waseda University started its life as 'Tokyo Senmon Gakko (College)' on October 21, 1882. Before the name 'Waseda' was selected, it was known variously as 'Waseda Gakko' or 'Totsuka Gakko', after the location of the founder's villa in Waseda Village and the school's location in Totsuka Village respectively. Around 1892, people started to call it 'Waseda Gakko'. It was renamed 'Waseda University' on September 2, 1902, upon acquiring University status.

[edit] The only square academic cap in the world

Waseda's square academic cap.
Waseda's square academic cap.

The founder of the university, Okuma Shigenobu had long desired to create an academic cap so distinctive that any student wearing it would immediately be identified as being from Waseda University. The chief tailor of Takashimaya, Yahichiro, was called upon to perform this task and produced a satisfactory cap in a mere three days. Each square cap is stamped on the inside with the student's name, the course he is attending, the school seal and the legend "We confirm that this is a student of Waseda". Thus, the cap serves as a form of identification and, effectively, a status symbol. The cap, with its gold-braided badge, is registered as a trademark.

[edit] 125 Anniversary

125 Anniversary.
125 Anniversary.

On October 21, 2007 Waseda University celebrated the 125th anniversary of its founding by Shigenobu Okuma, scholar and government leader. Shigenobu Okuma, often talked about the '125 years of life' theory: "The lifespan of a human being can be as long as 125 years. He will be able to live out his natural lifespan as long as he takes proper care of his health". The logic behind this is: "Physiologists say that every animal has the ability to live 5 times as long as its growth period. Since a man is said to require about 25 years to become fully mature, it follows that he can live up to 125 years of age." This theory propounded by Shigenobu Okuma was very popular and often referred to in the media of the time. In commemorative events relating to Waseda University and Shigenobu Okuma, the number 125 is accorded special significance, as it marks an important epoch. The tower of Okuma Auditorium, completed on the University's 45th anniversary, is 125 shaku (approx. 38 meters) high. In 1963, there were also events held to mark the 125th anniversary of Okuma's birth. Shigenobu Okuma, who was Prime Minister of Japan twice, organized his second cabinet at the age of 77 and lived to be 83 years of age. He said, "I wish I had understood this '125 years of life ' theory 30 years earlier". He did, however, lead a regular life, and lived fairly long by comparison with the average life expectancy among Japanese at the time.

[edit] Campuses

Waseda University's main campus is located in the Nishi-Waseda district of Shinjuku, though Waseda is generally associated with the Yamanote Line station, Takadanobaba. Apart from the main campus in Shinjuku, other campuses are located in Chuo-ku and Nishitoukyou-shi of Tokyo, Tokorozawa-shi and Honjo-shi of Saitama, and Kitakyushu-shi of Fukuoka Prefecture.

  • Waseda Campus: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

Nishi-waseda Campus is renamed into Waseda Campus in 2008 Spring.

  • Toyama Campus: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
  • Okubo Campus: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
  • Nihonbashi Campus: Chuo-ku, Tokyo
  • Higashifushimi Campus: Nishitoukyou-shi, Tokyo
  • Tokorozawa Campus: Tokorozawa-shi, Saitama-ken
  • Honjo Campus: Honjo-shi, Saitama-ken
  • Kitakyushu Campus: Kitakyushu-shi, Fukuoka-ken

[edit] Undergraduate Schools and Graduate Schools

Undergraduate Schools:

  • School of Political Science and Economics
  • School of Law
  • School of Humanities and Social Sciences
  • School of Culture, Media and Society
  • School of Education
  • School of Commerce
  • School of Fundamental Science and Engineering
  • School of Creative Science and Engineering
  • School of Advanced Science and Engineering
  • School of Social Sciences
  • School of Human Sciences
  • School of Sports Sciences
  • School of International Liberal Studies

Graduate Schools:

  • Graduate School of Political Science
  • Graduate School of Economics
  • Graduate School of Law
  • Graduate School of Letters, Arts and Sciences
  • Graduate School of Commerce
  • Graduate School of Fundamental Science and Engineering
  • Graduate School of Creative Science and Engineering
  • Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering
  • Graduate School of Education
  • Graduate School of Human Sciences
  • Graduate School of Social Sciences
  • Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies
  • Graduate School of Global Information and Telecommunication Studies
  • Graduate School of Japanese Applied Linguistics
  • Graduate School of Information, Production and Systems
  • Graduate School of Sports Sciences
  • Business School
  • The Okuma School of Public Management
  • Law School
  • Graduate School of Finance, Accounting and Law
  • Graduate School of Accountancy
  • Graduate School of Environment and Energy Engineering

[edit] Research institutes

  • Kagami Memorial Laboratory for Materials Science and Technology
  • Institute for Comparative Law
  • The Institute for Research in Business Administration
  • Institute for Research in Contemporary Political and Economic Affairs
  • Advanced Research Center for Human Sciences
  • Advanced Research Institute for Science and Engineering
  • Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies
  • Global Information and Telecommunication Institute
  • Institute for Advanced Studies in Education
  • Center for Japanese Language
  • Media Network Center
  • Environmental Research Institute
  • Environmental Safety Center
  • Center for Finance Research
  • Human Service Center
  • Comprehensive Research Organization (Project Research Institute)
  • Institute for Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
  • Consolidated Research Institute for Advanced Science and Medical Care
  • Information Technology Research Organization
  • Organization for Asian Studies

[edit] Facilities

[edit] The Okuma Auditorium

The Okuma Memorial Hall, contemporary building by architect SATÔ Kôichi, 1878-1941.
The Okuma Memorial Hall, contemporary building by architect SATÔ Kôichi, 1878-1941.

Soon after Shigenobu Okuma's death on 10 January, 1922, the planning of memorials dedicated to him commenced. The first decision was to construct a large auditorium, something Okuma had always dreamed of.

The 3-storey main auditorium seats 1,435, while the secondary auditorium, located underground, can accommodate 382 people. A 7-storey high clock tower stands to the left of the auditorium. The tower, at 125 shaku (approx 38 meters), is associated with the 'life of 125 years' theory that Okuma advocated. The bells at the top of the tower were transported all the way across the Panama Canal from the MacLean Company in Baltimore, USA. It was the first time that four bells, large and small, had been used in Japan. The bells, which ring six times a day, produce the same harmony for the city of Waseda as Westminster Abbey does for London.

As you enter the Auditorium, you will notice some oval-shaped transom windows on the roof. They represent the sun, moon and nine planets of our solar system, and symbolize the 'harmony of the universe', both inside and outside the Auditorium. The Auditorium was opened on October 20, 1927, about 5 years behind schedule, which was due in part to the Great Kanto Earthquake.

In April 1999, the Auditorium was designated as the first, and the Old Library the second, of the 'Tokyo Metropolitan Historic Buildings', under the Tokyo Metropolitan Landscape Regulations, which aim to preserve buildings representative of Tokyo's history and culture.

The Auditorium was designated as one of the Important Cultural Assets of Japan by Ministry of Education in 2007.

[edit] Libraries & Museums

Waseda University Library, Reading Hall
Waseda University Library, Reading Hall

The Waseda University Library, designed by Tachu Naito, Kenji Imai and Kin-ichi Kiriyama, was completed in 1925. This 5-story building, with a total area of 1,195 tubo (about 3,944 square meters), was used initially as the University Library. The reading room was housed in a separate 2-story building, and had a seating capacity of 500. One of the prominent libraries established at the end of the Taisho period, it has been a symbol of Waseda University to this day, along with the Okuma Auditorium and the Theatre Museum.

The Old Library and the administration building were extended in 1934 and 1955 respectively. However, the Old Library relinquished its role after the New Central Library (located where the Abe Stadium used to be) was completed in 1990. It now serves as Sanae Takata Memorial Research Library, the University Archives, and Yaichi Aizu Museum. Sanae Takata Memorial Research Library was launched in 1994. It is named after former President Sanae Takata. Historical and cultural materials on Waseda University are exhibited in the University Archives, where in the Ōkuma Memorial Room are also exhibited the materials related with Shigenobu Ōkuma. Yaichi Aizu Memorial Museum was founded in 1998.

Waseda University Library, Current Front Hall
Waseda University Library, Current Front Hall

In the front hall, visitors are greeted by the masterpiece "Meian", which dates back to 1927. It is painted on the world's largest hand-made washi (Japanese paper), which is 4.45 meters in diameter and weighs about 12 kilograms (manufactured by Heisaburo Iwano, the founder of the Echizen paper works in Imadachi-cho, Fukui Prefecture). The masterpiece was painted free of charge by Taikan Yokoyama and Kanzan Shimomura, two artists who represented the modern Japanese style of painting. President Sanae Takata asked them to paint a picture for the Library.

The library possesses a unique collection which survived the Bombing of Tokyo in World War II unlike many of its counterparts. Therefore, its collection is an important resource in the study of pre-war Japanese history and literature.

In April 1999, the Old Library was designated as one of the first of the "Tokyo Metropolitan Historic Buildings” along with the Okuma Auditorium.

[edit] Athletics

[edit] Baseball

Two Waseda University baseball players from 1921.
Two Waseda University baseball players from 1921.

The rivalry between Waseda and Keio University is highlighted by the Sōkeisen in the Tokyo Big6 Baseball League. The baseball series is held twice a year in the Spring and Autumn. Held at Meiji-Jingu Stadium, it is considered one of the most important competitions by both student bodies. The Waseda University Baseball Club is the most successful team in the Big6 league in terms of winning percentage, but it has 37 league championships, which puts it second behind Hosei University.

[edit] Football (soccer)

Waseda University football team won the Emperor's Cup, in 1964 and 1967.

[edit] Rugby union

Waseda University Rugby Football Club currently is the reigning university rugby union champion in Japan, reaching the university championships 28 times, and winning fourteen times. Its two biggest rivals are Keio University and Meiji University.

[edit] Notable alumni

[edit] Prime Ministers

[edit] Business Leaders

[edit] Academics

[edit] Authors

[edit] Sports

[edit] Performing arts

[edit] Diplomats

[edit] Politics

[edit] Others

A September 11 victim named Toshiya Kuge, who was one of the passengers on United Airlines Flight 93, was a student at this university.

(* attended but did not graduate)

[edit] Notable faculty

Professors who are also Waseda alumni are listed in italics.

  • Yaichi Aizu, poet, scholar of ancient Chinese and Japanese art, and namesake of Aizu Museum
  • Tameyuki Amano, economics scholar and educator
  • Yasunobu Fujiwara, scholar of political science
  • Lafcadio Hearn, novelist, literary scholar, professor of English literature
  • Smimasa Idditti (Sumimasa Idichi ), professor of English
  • Kenji Imai, architect
  • Tokio Kimura, historian
  • Kunitake Kume, historian
  • Tachu Naito, architect
  • Naoyoshi Nakamura, historian
  • Haruo Nishihara, law professor, former President
  • Takayasu Okushima, law professor, former President
  • Hajime Ōnishi, philosopher
  • Ikuo Ōyama, scholar of political science
  • Yaso Saijo, poet
  • Masasada Shiozawa, scholar of economics, former President
  • Paul Snowden, Dean, School of International Liberal Studies
  • Sanae Takata, scholar of political science, former President
  • Ōdō Tanaka, philosopher
  • Shoyo Tsubouchi, playwright, critic, translator, educator, professor of English literature, and namesake of Tsubouchi Memorial Theater Museum
  • Sokichi Tsuda, historian, recipient of the Order of Culture
  • Kazutami Ukita, scholar of political science
  • Yoshio Yamanouchi, translator, scholar of French literature
  • Akira Yonekura, law professor
  • Takamasa Yoshizaka, architect

[edit] Principals, De facto Presidents (1907-1923), and Presidents

[edit] Principals

  • Hidemaro Ōkuma, 1882 - 1886
  • Hisoka Maejima, 1886 - 1890
  • Kazuo Hatoyama, 1890 - 1907

[edit] De facto Presidents (1907-1923)

  • Sanae Takata, 1907 - 1915
  • Tameyuki Amano, 1915 - 1917
  • Yoshiro Hiranuma, 1918 - 1921
  • Masasada Shiozawa, 1921 - 1923

[edit] Presidents

  • Shigenobu Ōkuma [6], 1907 - 1922
  • Masasada Shiozawa, 1923
  • Sanae Takata, 1923 - 1931
  • Hodumi Tanaka, 1931 - 1944
  • Tomio Nakano, 1944 - 1946
  • Koichi Shimada, 1946 - 1954
  • Nobumoto Ōhama, 1954 - 1966
  • Kenichi Abe, 1966 - 1968
  • Tsunesaburo Tokikoyama, 1968 - 1970
  • Sukenaga Murai, 1970 - 1978
  • Tsukasa Shimizu, 1978 - 1982
  • Haruo Nishihara, 1982 - 1990
  • Chūmaru Koyama, 1990 - 1994
  • Takayasu Okushima, 1994 - 2002
  • Katsuhiko Shirai, 2002 - present

[edit] Trustees

  • Ryuhoku Narushima, poet, journalist, and one of the first trustees of Waseda
  • Azusa Ono (1852–1886), law scholar and one of the first trustees of Waseda

[edit] Benefactors

Waseda University has had benefactors, who include:

[edit] Waseda University in nonfiction

[edit] Waseda University in fiction


  • In the manga series Great Teacher Onizuka by Tohru Fujisawa, the heroine Azusa Fuyutsuki is a graduate of Waseda University.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Kimura, pp. 74, 123
  2. ^ Kimura, pp. 74, 122
  3. ^ Okushima and Nakamura, eds. , p. 42
  4. ^ Okushima and Nakamura, eds. , p.25
  5. ^ Okushima and Nakamura, eds. , p.37
  6. ^ as an honorary post
  7. ^ Okushima and Nakamura (eds.), p.53
  8. ^ Okushima and Nakamura (eds.), p.51
  9. ^ Okushima and Nakamura (eds.), p.63
  10. ^ Okushima and Nakamura (eds.), p.65
  11. ^ Okushima and Nakamura (eds.), p.68
  12. ^ Masaru Ibuka Auditorium (Hall) is in the International Conference Center.

[edit] References

  • (Japanese) Kimura, Tokio. Waga Waseda: Okuma Shigenobu to sono kengaku seishin, Tokyo, Kobunsha, 1997.
  • (Japanese) Okushima, Takayasu.; and Nakamura, Naoyoshi., eds. Tōmonno gunzo, Tokyo, Waseda daigaku shuppanbu, 1992.

[edit] External links

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Coordinates: 35°42′33.13″N, 139°43′9.6″E