一高ここにありき

Gazing upon this unassuming stone, can you hear the echoes of young voices raised in song? This, my friends, is the Ichiko Koko ni Ariki Monument, a testament to a school that once thrived here, in what is now the Komaba Campus of the University of Tokyo. The First Higher School, or “Ichiko” as it was affectionately known, left an indelible mark on this place, a legacy etched not just in stone, but in the very fabric of Japanese education. The Ichiko was more than just bricks and mortar. It was a crucible of young minds, forging the future leaders of Meiji-era Japan. Historical Japanese paintings, collected and preserved during the school’s heyday, now reside in the University of Tokyo Museum. These paintings, vibrant snapshots of a bygone era, speak volumes about the school’s commitment to both artistic and intellectual pursuits. The Ichiko’s presence here in Komaba wasn’t its first home. Originally located in Motofuji, it shared a close relationship with the Imperial University’s Agricultural Department, then located in present-day Yayoi Campus. A land swap in 1910 brought the Ichiko to Komaba, paving the way for the agricultural department’s expansion. The remnants of this era are still visible today, woven into the architecture of the campus. Look around. The main gate, with the Ichiko’s school emblem still proudly displayed, stands as a sentinel guarding the past. The emblem, a harmonious blend of oak leaves and olive branches, symbolizes the “Bunbu Ryodo,” the ideal of balanced development in both the arts and martial skills. The clock tower, a familiar landmark, also hails from the Ichiko era. The Ichiko Koko ni Ariki Monument, erected by the school’s alumni association, marks the end of their formal activities. It’s a poignant reminder of a cherished institution that, though gone, continues to resonate through its alumni and their contributions to Japanese society. The school song, “Shoka Gyokuhai”, still echoes in the hearts of those who remember Ichiko. This stone monument, a quiet observer of time’s passage, carries the weight of those memories, a tangible link to a vibrant past.