April 16, 2024
Keio University
On May 15, Keio 4 (July 4, 1868), amid the Boshin War, as the battle between the imperial army and the Shogitai raged in Ueno and the roar of cannons echoed throughout the city of Edo, Yukichi Fukuzawa calmly continued his Saturday lecture on Wayland's* The Elements of Political Economy (1866) at Keio University in Shiba-Shinzenza.
To carry on the spirit of Yukichi Fukuzawa, who respected scholarship and education no matter what changes occurred in the world, Keio University has designated May 15 as Yukichi Fukuzawa-Francis Wayland Lecture Day and has held a commemorative lecture annually since 1956 (Showa 31).
This year, Narihiko Ioku, Professor Emeritus of Keio University, will give a lecture on Wednesday, May 15, titled "Yukichi Fukuzawa and Traditional Industries: With a Focus on His Views on the Sake Brewing Industry." We kindly request that you include this event in your listings and consider providing media coverage on the day.
*Francis Wayland (1796–1865, 4th President of Brown University, USA).
For the full press release, please see below.