講堂

Gazing up at Yasuda Auditorium, imagine its clock tower as a sentinel watching over the University of Tokyo. Yasuda Auditorium, the heart of the Hongō Campus, stands as a powerful symbol. Completed in 1925, this iconic structure has witnessed nearly a century of history. It’s more than just bricks and mortar. Yasuda Auditorium embodies the spirit of learning and progress. The auditorium’s construction was a gift from businessman Yasuda Zenjirō. He envisioned it as a binden, a place fit for an emperor. Ironically, while intended for imperial visits, Yasuda Auditorium became a stage for student protests during the tumultuous years of 1968-69. These protests, sparked by disputes at the University of Tokyo Medical School, saw students occupying the building. They were later expelled by riot police. The auditorium was again occupied during the summer, with students barricading themselves inside. The occupation ended in January 1969 when riot police cleared the building. The Yasuda zaibatsu subsequently helped renovate the building. Following the protests, Yasuda Auditorium ceased to host entrance or graduation ceremonies. However, its role as a symbol of the university was cemented. The architecture of Yasuda Auditorium reflects a blend of influences. It echoes the gate tower of the University of Cambridge, perhaps an inspiration for architect Yoshikazu Uchida. The red brick construction is characteristic of post-1923 earthquake architecture in Tokyo. Yasuda Auditorium stands as a testament to the modernization efforts of the University of Tokyo, its Gothic Revival style a relatively new architectural language in Japan at the time of its construction. Inside, it houses not only an auditorium, but also the university’s central administrative offices. It even contains a special room designed for the emperor, where he would traditionally bestow watches upon graduates. Yasuda Auditorium has witnessed both celebration and dissent, embodying the complex history of the university and the nation it serves.