Japon

東京商科大学卒業アルバム. Tokyo Shoka Daigaku sotsugyo arubamu. 1925 Tokyo University of Commerce Graduation Photograph Album.

1419 · 215666 — 東京. Tokyo.: 槙写真館. Maki Shashinkan. Taisho 14 1925. Black and white photographic illustrations bird's-eye view map 37pp of photographic plates with tissue guards some captioned 4 pages list the names of graduates 26.5 x 37.5cm. All edges gilt cloth covered boards trifle marked tassel ties. First tissue guard a little creased others very lightly foxed in places a very good copy. This photographic album published in 1925 commemorates the graduating students of Tokyo University of Business the forerunner of today's Hitotsubashi University. Founded in 1874 the school became a university in 1920 making these students part of the very first graduating class. The university was famous particularly for training many of Japan's leading economists and business people. <br> <br>The album opens with a photograph of the main gate and a bird's-eye view map of the campus. The university's campus in central Tokyo was largely destroyed during the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923. A stark reminder of the university's resilience is a photograph depicting a damaged university hall its roof missing following the earthquake. This album was produced just before the university moved to its new campus in the recently created "garden city" of Kunitachi on the outskirts of Tokyo. <br> <br>Beyond these historical glimpses the album offers a fascinating look into various aspects of student life during this period. Photographs showcase faculty members including the notable Minobe Tatsukichi a constitutional law professor whose theory of the Emperor as an organ in the government 天皇機関説 Tenno kikansetsu became a focus of political controversy in the late 1930s. Students are depicted in different groups including seminar groups with their supervisors and sporting clubs. As well as more formal photos of class groups there are also shots of students relaxing in the cafeteria studying notices on the university noticeboard where examonation results were also posted taking part in a skiing excursion and participating in other sports including kendo rowing and horse-riding. One page features the covers of magazines published by the universityThe university song complete with its musical score is also included. <br> <br>The final four pages of the album list the graduates' names and addresses serving as a lasting record of this significant moment in their academic journey. The album provides a vivid and valuable depiction of Japanese university life in the mid-1920s. . 槙写真館. [Maki Shashinkan]. hardcover