“Avenue of cedars.” Does that phrase conjure up an image? It should because that is the meaning of Suginami. Today we are visiting Suginami Gakuin.
Suginami Gakuin stands as a testament to education in Tokyo’s Suginami ward. This school reflects the area’s rich history. Suginami itself boasts a unique identity.
The name Suginami comes from the early Edo period. Lord Tadayoshi Okabe planted cedar trees. These trees marked his property’s boundaries. This created the “avenue of cedars” or Suginamiki. The ward was officially founded in 1947.
Suginami has a history of liberal activism. In 1954 local housewives started the “Suginami Appeal.” This was against nuclear weapons. The petition gained 20 million signatures nationwide.
In 2005 Suginami fought against nationalist textbook revisionism. Residents petitioned against a textbook. It justified Japanese actions during World War II.
Suginami also implemented Operation Flower to fight burglaries. Residents planted flowers facing the street. This increased neighborhood watchfulness. Burglaries decreased significantly.
Suginami Gakuin sits in a ward with a strong community. This community values safety and activism. The school benefits from this engaged environment.
Suginami is known for its animation studios. Many smaller studios are based here. As of 2006 over 70 studios were located in Suginami.
The Suginami Animation Museum showcases Japanese animation history. It offers screenings and exhibits. This highlights Suginami’s cultural contributions.
Suginami offers a mix of urban and suburban living. Ogikubo and Asagaya have tranquil residential areas. There is also lush greenery and many parks.
Suginami City provides unique administrative services. These include excellent childcare. They also have programs for elderly residents.
As we stand before Suginami Gakuin let’s appreciate the school. It exists within a community. This community embraces history, activism, and culture.