“What does ‘well-rounded children’ mean to you?”
That is the motto of Osaka Municipal Sagisu Elementary School. This school has a rich history. It reflects the changes in the surrounding area over more than a century.
Let’s explore the story of Osaka Municipal Sagisu Elementary School. It is located in Fukushima Ward of Osaka City. The school’s address is Sagisu 5-6-8.
Before the Meiji era this area was part of Urae Village. In 1889 it became Sagisu Village.
In 1872 Japan introduced a modern education system. Four villages joined together in 1874. They established the Third Elementary School in Kamifukushima Village. This school is the ancestor of both Kamifukushima Elementary and Fukushima Elementary.
In 1877, the school in Kasumicho Village became independent. It was named the Ninth Elementary School. In 1885, the schools in Ohato, Urae and Kasumicho merged. They formed Sagisu Elementary School. However in 1887 it was integrated into Kamifukushima Elementary School. It became part of the school association-managed Kozato Elementary School.
In 1897, Kamifukushima and Shimofukushima became part of Osaka City. Sagisu Village remained separate. Children from Sagisu Village continued to attend Kozato Elementary School.
In 1898, Sagisu Village decided to establish its own school. On December 7 1898, Sagisu Elementary School opened. It was located in Minamiurae Hachitanda.
In 1901, Sagisu Elementary School added a higher elementary course. It was renamed Sagisu Ordinary Higher Elementary School. The opening of the new Yodogawa River created detached areas. These areas were north of the new river. In 1910 a branch school was opened in Tsukamoto. This served children in Tsukamoto and Kaizuka Shinden.
The area’s population grew. In 1912, a second Sagisu Elementary School was created. The original school was renamed Sagisu First Ordinary Higher Elementary School. The second school was later renamed Ohato National School. It was destroyed in the war and closed in 1946.
In 1914, a third Sagisu Elementary School opened. The branch school became part of the Third Elementary School. It later became Tsukamoto Elementary School.
In 1918, the school districts were reorganized. A fourth Sagisu Elementary School opened.
In 1925, Sagisu Town became part of Osaka City. The school was renamed Osaka Municipal Sagisu First Ordinary Higher Elementary School.
In 1933, part of the school district was used to create a sixth Sagisu Elementary School.
In 1934, a typhoon caused damage. Two wooden school buildings collapsed. Five children died.
In 1940, the higher elementary courses were consolidated. A new higher elementary school was established. It was named Osaka Municipal Sagisu Higher Elementary School. In 1941 it was renamed Yata National School.
In 1941, the school was renamed Osaka Municipal Sagisu National School. During the war, children were evacuated.
In 1945 Osaka suffered heavy bombing. The school buildings were damaged.
In 1947, the school system was reformed. It was renamed Osaka Municipal Sagisu Elementary School.
In 1975, the Sagisukita Kindergarten became independent. In 1993, the school hosted the National Elementary School Japanese Language Education Research Conference.
Today graduates progress to Yata Junior High School. Osaka Municipal Sagisu Elementary School has a long history. It is a pillar of the community. It continues to educate children. The school fosters well-rounded children in Osaka.