Writer Profile

Atsuko Ishiguro
Former Director of the Office of Communications and Public Relations
Atsuko Ishiguro
Former Director of the Office of Communications and Public Relations
The Mita Festival, held every November, dates back to the so-called Bunren-sai (Cultural Federation Festival) starting in 1951. It was jointly held by the Federation of Academic Research Organizations and the Federation of Cultural Organizations. While it was named the Mita Festival in 1953, in 1958, the year of ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app's 100th anniversary, it was held across campuses as a university-wide "Centennial Festival" that included the affiliated schools. The current Mita Festival counts the following year, marking the start of ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app's second century, as its first installment, and it has become a tradition to hold it at the Mita Campus in autumn. The photo shows the 8th Mita Festival in 1966. Looking at the "Mita Shimbun" of the time, the festival's tendency to become repetitive was a topic of discussion, and bold plans were developed for the 10th anniversary. Each proposal was asked, "Why plan this, and what will be gained from it?" The headquarters' theme was "Japan's Choices at a Turning Point," and lectures and symposiums were held. A lecture titled "Tomorrow's Japan" by Aiichiro Fujiyama, then Director-General of the Economic Planning Agency, filled the large lecture hall. The Speech and Debate Society attempted outdoor public speaking sessions, choosing themes such as "The Theory of National Ruin by Female College Students" and "Women and Careers," which were sparked by weekly magazine articles, as well as "Okinawa, the Island of Tragedy" during the height of the reversion movement, and "Political Corruption." Banners were raised to attract audiences. On the other hand, the raffle was also revived, and long lines formed along the Academic Affairs Office on the first floor of the South Building for 100-yen raffle tickets.
What kind of year was 1966? In March, Japan's total population exceeded 100 million. In June, the Beatles visited Japan, and in July, the construction of a new international airport in Narita was decided. Looking inside the university, the tuition hike dispute of the previous year had been settled, and in September, Sartre and Beauvoir visited the Juku, where students welcomed them enthusiastically. It is said that Sartre was even intimidated by the reception. The courtyard of the Mita Campus, which did not yet have the ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app Library (New Building) or the Graduate School Building, was spacious and open, presenting a different appearance from the current Mita Festival.
Subsequently, unique school festivals began at other campuses. In 1978, the Yotsuya Festival started at the School of Medicine. At the Shonan Fujisawa Campus (SFC), the Aki-sai (Autumn Festival) began in 1992, two full years after its opening. At the Yagami Campus, the Yagami Festival has been held since 2000. At the Shiba-Kyoritsu Campus, the Shiba-Kyoyaku Festival has been held since 2008, taking over the Kyoyaku Festival that began in 1947. This year, many visitors will likely attend these school festivals, which are filled with creative ingenuity.
*Affiliations and titles are as of the time of publication.