Waseda University
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Waseda University |
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| 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 |
| Professional students | 1,732 |
| Location | Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan |
| Campus | Urban |
| Athletics | 43 varsity teams |
| Colors | Crimson |
| Mascot | Fukuchan (unofficial), Waseda Bear (official)  |
| Fight song | Kompeki no sora |
| Affiliations | Tokyo Six Universities |
| Website | WASEDA UNIVERSITY |
Waseda University (早稲田大学 Waseda daigaku?), often abbreviated to Sodai (早大 Sōdai?) is a co-educational, private university in Japan.
It has a reputable status as being highly competitive and extremely selective in admissions by entrance examinations, and is well-known as the top private university in Japan.
It is also known for its liberal climate symbolized by its motto "Independence of Learning".
Its main campus is located in Shinjuku, Tokyo, a major commercial and administrative centre, housing the busiest train station in the world (Shinjuku Station). Other campuses are situated in Saitama and Fukuoka prefectures.
Waseda University is acknowledged as a leader in many academic areas. It is known as a training ground for Japanese politicians, as five postwar prime ministers are Waseda alumni: 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. It was also recently involved in the development of the WL-16 "walking robot."
As for baseball, it is a member of the Tokyo 6 Universities.
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[edit] Institution
[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. 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 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.
[edit] The only square academic cap in the world
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.
[edit] 125 Anniversary
In the year 2007, Waseda University will celebrate 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.
- 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
[edit] Facilities
[edit] The Okuma Auditorium
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.
[edit] Librarys & Museums
The Waseda University Library, designed by Tachu Naito, Kenji Imai and Kin-ichi Kiriyama, was completed in 1925. This 5-storey 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-storey 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.
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
[edit] Academics
[edit] Undergraduate Schools
Current Schools
- School of Political Science and Economics
- School of Law
- School of Letters, Arts and Sciences I
- School of Letters, Arts and Sciences II(Evening Division)
- School of Education
- School of Commerce
- School of Science and Engineering
- School of Social Sciences
- School of Human Sciences
- School of Sport Sciences
- School of International Liberal Studies
New schools opening in April 2007
- School of Culture, Media and Society
- School of Humanities and Social Sciences
- School of Fundamental Science and Engineering
- School of Creative Science and Engineering Faculty
- School of Advanced Science and Engineering Faculty
[edit] Graduate Schools
Current 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 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 Sport Sciences
- Waseda Business School MBA Programs, Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies
- The Okuma School of Public Management
- Waseda Law School
- Graduate School of Finance, Accounting and Law
- Graduate School of Accountancy
New schools opening in April 2007
- Graduate School of Fundamental Science and Engineering
- Graduate School of Creative Science and Engineering Faculty
- Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering Faculty
- Graduate School of Environment and Energy Engineering
[edit] Affiliated Schools
- Waseda University Senior High School
- Waseda University Honjo Senior High School
- Art and Architecture School of Waseda University/Kawaguchi Art
- School of Waseda University
- Waseda Jitsugyo
- Waseda Junior & Senior HighSchool
- Waseda Shibuya Senior High School
[edit] Athletics
[edit] Baseball
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 25 times, and winning nine times. Its rival for the last five championships has been Kanto Gakuin University.
[edit] Notable alumni
[edit] Prime Ministers
- Tanzan Ishibashi (1956–1957)
- Noboru Takeshita (1987–1989)
- Toshiki Kaifu (1989–1991)
- Keizo Obuchi (1998–2000)
- Yoshiro Mori (2000–2001)
[edit] Business Leaders
- Hiroshi Yamauchi, former President of Nintendo (dropout)
- Masaru Ibuka, co-founder of Sony
- Michael Kogan, founder of Taito Corporation
- Nobuyuki Idei, Ex-CEO of Sony
- Yoshiaki Tsutsumi, Founder of Seibu Railway
- Lee Byung-chul, Founder of Samsung
- Lee Kun-hee- Chairman of Samsung
- Shin Kyuk-Ho- Founder and Chairman of Lotte Group
- Takeo Fukui- CEO of Honda
- Tadashi Yanai- CEO of Fast Retailing
- Kenichi Ohmae- Founder and ex-Senior Partner of McKinsey & Co's Japan office
- Mikio Sasaki- Chairman of Mitsubishi
- Soichiro Fukutake- President of Benesse
[edit] Academics
- Kanichi Asakawa (Asian historian)
- Lafcadio Hearn (literary scholar and playwright)
- Tien-Min Li (Chinese political historian)
- Ungku Abdul Aziz Ungku Abdul Hamid (Leading Malaysian Academician)
[edit] Sports
- Norichika Aoki (baseball)
- Shizuka Arakawa (figure skater, 2006 Winter Olympics gold medalist)
- Kunishige Kamamoto (football player)
- Yukari Nakano (figure skater)
- Shigeyuki Nishio (tennis)
- Mikio Oda (athletics, Japan's first Olympic gold medalist)
- Kenji Ogiwara (Nordic combined, 1992/1994 Winter Olympics gold medalist)
- Yoriko Okamoto (taekwondo, 2000 Sydney Olympics bronze medalist)
- Michito Sakaki (Australian rules football)
- Jiro Sato (tennis)
- Takuma Sato (Formula One driver, dropout)
- Hiroaki Shukuzawa (rugby player)
- Fumie Suguri (figure skater)
- Kisshomaru Ueshiba (martial artist)
- Toshihiko Seko (marathon runner)
- Shinichi Takeuchi (baseball)
- Takashi Toritani (baseball)
- Tsuyoshi Wada (baseball)
- Yoko Zetterlund (volleyball)
- Mitsusuke Harada (martial artist, Head of KDS)
- Tsutomu Ohshima (Chief Instructor of Shotokan Karate of America)
- Fukuhara Ai (table tennis)
[edit] Authors
- Edogawa Rampo
- Haruki Murakami
- Ichiro Okouchi
- Kitahara Hakushu (dropout)
- Kunikida Doppo
- Lee Hoesung
- Manabu Miyazaki (dropout)
- Masuji Ibuse (dropout)
- Ototake Hirotada (sports writer)
- Shuji Terayama
- Taneda Santoka (dropout)
- Yoko Tawada
- Tawara Machi
- Yajima Teruo (dropout)
- Yokomitsu Riichi (dropout)
- Risa Wataya
[edit] Celebrities
- Naohito Fujiki (actor)
- Mitsuhiro Hidaka (singer)
- Hirokazu Koreeda (film director)
- Tetsuya Komuro (musician, dropout)
- Shigeru Muroi (actress, dropout)
- Masato Sakai (actor, dropout)
- Tamori (comedian and television presenter, dropout)
- Sayuri Yoshinaga (actress)
- Keisuke Minami (stage actor, model)
[edit] Diplomats
- Chiune Sugihara (dropout)
- Katsuhiko Oku - promoted posthumously to ambassador
[edit] Politicians
[edit] Others
- Nancy Andrew (translator, junior year, 1967–1968)
- Yuji Horii (video game designer)
- Tensai Okamura (director)
- Thomas P. Logan (businessman-venture capitalist, 1982–84)
- Megumi Mizusawa (manga artist)
- Kiyoshi Ogawa (Naval Aviator Ensign of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II)
A September 11 victim named Toshiya Kuge, who was one of the passengers on United Airlines Flight 93, was a student at this university.
[edit] Waseda University in nonfiction
- Manabu Miyazaki; Toppamono: Outlaw. Radical. Suspect. My Life in Japan's Underworld (2005, Kotan Publishing, ISBN 0-9701716-2-5)
[edit] External links
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