Waseda University

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Coordinates: 35.708821°N′139.719669″E, region:JP_type:city(189995)_source:dewiki°{{{6}}}′{{{7}}}″{{{8}}}

Waseda University
早稲田大学
Motto: 学問の独立
(Independence of Learning)
Established 1882
Type: Private
Endowment: N/A
Chancellor: Katsuhiko Shirai
Faculty: 1,669 full-time
3,264 part-time
Staff: N/A
Students: 54,493
Undergraduates: 46,034
Postgraduates: 8,459
Doctoral students: 6,727
Location Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
Campus: Urban
Athletics: 43 varsity teams
Colors: Crimson
Mascot: Fukuchan (unofficial), Waseda Bear (official) Image:episode_img10.gif
Affiliations: Tokyo Six Universities
Website: WASEDA UNIVERSITY

Waseda University (早稲田大学 Waseda daigaku?), often abbreviated to Sōdai (早大 Sōdai?) is one of the most prestigious universities in Japan. It is also 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) andYoshiro 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

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.

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. 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.

Waseda University in 1882.
Waseda University in 1882.

Waseda University started life as 'Tokyo Senmon Gakko (College)' on October 21, 1882. Before this name 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.

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 from Waseda University. The chief tailor of Takashimaya, Yahichiro, was called upon create 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.

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.

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.

  • Nishi-Waseda Campus: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
  • 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

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.

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 to dispatch historical and cultural materials on Waseda University. such as materials on the Okuma Memorial Room, the University History Material Center and, since 1998, the Yaichi Aizu Memorial Museum.

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 was painted on the world's largest hand-made washi (Japanese paper) measuring 5 meters by 40 centimeters and weighing 11 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.

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.

  • Waseda University Library
  • Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum
  • Aizu Museum

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.

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

Waseda University Rugby Football Club currently is the reigning university rugby union union champion in Japan, reaching the university championships 25 times, and winning nine times. Its rival for the last five championships has been Kanto Gakuin University.

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

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