Wearing a square academic cap and gown, Shigenobu Okuma gazes thoughtfully. Right here stands the Shigenobu Okuma Statue. It commemorates a pivotal figure in Japanese history and the founder of Waseda University.
Shigenobu Okuma lived from 1838 to 1922. He served as Minister of Finance, Foreign Minister, and Prime Minister twice. Okuma unified Japan’s currency. He also created the national mint. Besides this he established a separate Ministry of Industry. Okuma was an early advocate for Western science and culture in Japan.
The Shigenobu Okuma Statue you see before you was built in 1932. It marked Waseda University’s 50th anniversary. Look at the square academic cap. It is a Waseda symbol. Okuma actually preferred a brighter orange gown over the dark red one. You can see his gown preserved in the Okuma Memorial Hall inside the Aizu Memorial Museum.
But here is a lesser-known fact. The original Shigenobu Okuma Statue was built in 1907. It celebrated Waseda’s 25th anniversary. Some felt formal dress did not suit Okuma’s image. Plans began to redesign the statue. The first statue now resides in the north side hallway of the Okuma Auditorium.
If you observe closely, you will notice Okuma holds a cane. This is because one of his legs was prosthetic. As Foreign Minister, Okuma tried to renew an unequal treaty from the Edo Period. Bomb terrorists attacked him. He lost his right leg. He used a prosthetic leg for the rest of his life.
Have you also noticed that the Shigenobu Okuma Statue faces an angle? It does not look straight ahead. Another statue of his wife Ayako is in the Okuma Gardens. The two statues appear to gaze at each other. Ayako Okuma’s statue is the only female figure on campus. Her placement caused controversy. That is why she stands inside the Okuma Gardens.
Beyond his political achievements, Okuma founded Tokyo Senmon Gakko. This later became Waseda University. He became the university’s first head. The Okuma Auditorium has a famous clock tower. It is named in his honor.
Okuma’s influence extended beyond politics and education. On November 22, 1908, he threw the first pitch at a baseball game. It was between a US professional team and Waseda University. This marked the first international game between teams from Japan and the United States.
His pitch went far outside. The Waseda captain deliberately swung and missed. This became a tradition. The batter facing the first ceremonial pitch always swings and misses.
The Shigenobu Okuma Statue encapsulates his complex legacy. It represents a statesman, educator, and modernizer. Okuma helped shape Japan’s path. He led it into the 20th century. Take a moment to appreciate this figure. He stood tall in Japan’s history.