大阪市立千本小学校

Established in 1920, Osaka Shiritsu Senbon Elementary School has witnessed a century of change. This isn’t just any elementary school. It holds a unique place in Osaka’s history. Originally called Nishigori Gun Tamade Third Island Ordinary Higher Elementary School, the name was quite a mouthful. It was established in Tamade Village, now part of Osaka’s Nishi Ward. The school was built on the site where a vast pine forest known as “Senbon Matsu” once stood. This forest gave the school its eventual name. Senbon Elementary initially housed both elementary and higher elementary grades. In 1934, disaster struck. The Muroto Typhoon, known as the deadliest typhoon to hit Osaka, caused significant damage. The wooden school building collapsed, tragically killing nine children and severely injuring 84 others. Three staff members were also seriously injured. This typhoon devastated many wooden school buildings across Osaka. It prompted a shift towards reinforced concrete structures for rebuilding. In 1941, reflecting national educational reforms, the school was renamed Osaka City Senbon National School. Then, in 1943, higher elementary grades were consolidated into a new school, and Senbon became an elementary school. During World War II, like many buildings in Osaka, Senbon Elementary suffered damage in air raids. The wooden school building was burned to the ground. With the post-war educational reforms of 1947, the school finally received its current name: Osaka Shiritsu Senbon Elementary School. The school continued to evolve. In 2006, Senbon Elementary was selected to participate in the “School Revitalization Model Project”. This project aimed to create a more vibrant and engaging learning environment. Today, Osaka Shiritsu Senbon Elementary School stands as a testament to resilience and adaptation. It carries the echoes of a century’s worth of stories within its walls.