(Please download the file for photos of the signing ceremony)
The Waseda University affiliated Waseda Saga Junior High School and High School (temporary name) is scheduled to open in April of 2010 in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture. A signing ceremony certifying the agreement to establish the school was held on July 2nd at a hotel in Karatsu. The ceremony was attended by Waseda University President Katsuhiko Shirai and Representative Katsuji Ebisawa of the Okuma Memorial Education Foundation Organizational Committee, which is preparing for the establishment of school jurisdiction. Also in attendance were Saga Prefectural Governor Yasushi Furukawa and Karatsu Mayor Toshiyuki Sakai, both of whom provided a variety of support for the establishment of the school. The four exchanged firm handshakes and pledged to the development of global citizens who will lead the world.
Each of the four spoke about their aspirations for Waseda Saga Junior High School and High School (temporary name), with President Shirai stating that “I would like to establish a base in Karatsu for the creation of great dreams and the development of global citizens.” Representative Ebisawa gave voice to his wishes by saying “I would like to create many people who can function globally while also developing culture and character.” Prefectural Governor Furukawa stated that “It is my greatest hope that the school will embody the lyrics of Waseda University’s school song, “gather and separate”, by becoming a place where people gather to study and then separate to disperse their knowledge.” Mayor Sakai said that “I hope that young people can take flight into the world from Karatsu, a city which has a deep relationship with Asia and the entire world.” Waseda Saga Junior High School and High School (temporary name) is a school for both male and female students. The number of students will be 120 for the 1st year of junior high school, and the high school will also have 120 students at the time that the school is opened. However, after 3 years, the number of students in the high school will increase to 240 students due to the entrance of graduates from the junior high school.
The school is overlooked by the castle tower of beautiful Karatsu Castle.
The scheduled location for the school is at the base of Karatsu Castle, which possesses a marvelous castle tower. This location is surrounded with beautiful scenery and faces the “Niji-no-Matsubara”, a pine forest which is 5 kilometers long and 1 kilometer wide, arching like a rainbow along Karatsu Bay. One of the most well-known festivals in Kyushu, Karatsu Kunchi Festival, is held every year in November and attracts many tourists from both within and outside of Saga Prefecture. During the festival, onlookers are overwhelmed by the dynamic floats which wind through the city. The area is rich in seafood brought by the rough waves of the Genkai Sea and mountain delicacies raised in the warm climate. Yachting and boating, competitions in which Waseda University excels, are often held. Construction of a large-scale dormitory is also scheduled, and all 1,080 of the school’s students can grow up uninhibited in this wonderful environment.
The beautiful natural scenery of Niji-no-Matsubara lies directly in front of the school.
Saga Prefecture is an area which has deep historical ties with Waseda University. Shigenobu Okuma, the founder of Waseda University, was born in Saga City on March 11, 1838. Tameyuki Amano, the 2nd President of Waseda, was born in Karatsu. Meitaro Takeuchi, the founder of Komatsu Limited and a major contributor to the establishment of the School of Science and Engineering, had a home in Karatsu from which he was active for a long period of time. “Saga Prefecture is truly a special place for Waseda University,” says President Shirai. President Shirai further discusses his aspirations by saying that “Currently, large changes are occurring in the education and research of universities. The time has come for universities to consider education in junior high schools and high schools. The proximity of Karatsu to China and Korea makes it the perfect place for the development of individuals who will become active in Asia and throughout the world. I hope that this school becomes a model for junior high schools and high schools of the 21st century.” Waseda Saga Junior High School and High School (temporary name) will undoubtedly develop the second coming of Shigenobu Okuma from its location in Karatsu.
Dynamic and gorgeous floats parade through the city during the Karatsu Kunchi Festival.
The birthplace of Shigenobu Okuma remains even now in the city of Saga.
Shigenobu Okuma studied at this desk when he was a child. It is said that when he grew tired, Okuma beat his head against the beam in front of the desk and continued to study.
