80th Anniversary of the Founding of Yochisha

Image: Commemorative ceremony on the school grounds

Yochisha, which is said to have been founded in 1874 (Meiji 7), celebrated its 80th anniversary in 1954 (Showa 29) with grand commemorative events including a ceremony, an athletic meet, and a concert. The ceremony on May 5 was held on the school grounds because the Jisonkan (Auditorium of Keio Yochisha Elementary School) (commonly known as the Red Roof), which was used as an auditorium at the time (having finally been built after applying for it as a combined classroom in 1948), could not accommodate the number of attendees. Having passed through the painful era of war, it was a time when one could truly feel the breath of postwar reconstruction, but the school building still bore the painful sight of black camouflage—a remnant of its requisition by the military during the war. The following day, May 6, a concert was held at Hibiya Public Hall, where commemorative songs such as "Song of the Young Keio students" (lyrics by Haruo Sato, music by Kosaku Yamada), "Song of the Alumni Association" (lyrics and music by Ichiro Fujiyama), and "Hymn: Song of Yochisha Students" (lyrics and music by Yoichi Hiraoka) were performed. It is said that the hall was packed to capacity despite it being a weekday afternoon. Two days later, on May 8, a spectacular athletic meet was held at the Shiba Park grounds.

The program was carefully devised with various creative ideas. Among them, the costume parade titled "The Growing Yochisha," which traced the 80-year history of the school, is recorded to have received great applause. Other events included a 750-meter relay between students, alumni, parents, and faculty; "Achievements of Three Generations"; and "Meisaku Monogatari" (a competition based on classic masterpieces such as "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter," "Kachi-kachi Yama," "Kintaro," and "The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido") by sixth graders. It was an enjoyable day attended by many alumni and parents, including students from Keio Futsubu School and Chutobu Junior High School, as well as Yochisha students. Since then, Yochisha has celebrated its 90th, 100th, and 125th anniversaries, and is now approaching its 150th anniversary in 2024. It goes without saying that this is the result of the accumulated hardships and efforts of many people. As someone who has been involved to some extent, I cannot help but feel joy. Finally, I would like to share the words of the then-Principal Kogoro Yoshida.

"The festival is over. However, it is from now on that we begin to walk carrying 80 years of history on our backs. If we do not chase trends, do not reject the old, always keep the children as our primary focus, and continue to walk steadily with cooperation within the school, I believe the path will naturally open and the sun will shine."

(Keio Yochisha History Archives, former teacher Masaharu Suzuki)