大阪市立桑津小学校

In 1940, amidst a growing need for educational facilities, Osaka City Kuwazu Elementary School first opened its doors. Originally named Osaka City Kuwazu Island Ordinary Elementary School, it emerged from a reorganization of school districts. This included the former Yuhito Island Ordinary Elementary School, now known as Osaka City Yuhito Elementary School. Let’s step back in time to imagine Kuwazu Elementary during its early years. The year is 1941. The National School Order is implemented. Our school is renamed Osaka City Kuwazu National School. The shadow of the Pacific War looms large, impacting even the young students here. As the war escalated, evacuations became a harsh reality for many children across Osaka. Those who couldn’t be sent to the countryside gathered for group evacuations at designated locations. For the Higashi-Sumiyoshi ward, that meant seeking refuge near the Osaka Prefectural Southern Kawauchi area. Students from Kuwazu National School found themselves relocated to places like Takaoka Village and Tennoji Commercial School, outside the city. By 1945, the designated evacuation sites also became unsafe. Further relocation was necessary, leading some students on a journey to Sashima Prefecture. They sought shelter in villages like Sabiura and Kawaai, far from their familiar classrooms. Imagine the resilience of these young pupils, adapting to unfamiliar surroundings while continuing their education. Fast forward to 1947. The education system reforms. Our school once again adopts a new name: Osaka City Kuwazu Elementary School, the name we know today. A few years later, in 1952, Osaka City Imagawa Elementary School opened. This led to another shift in Kuwazu’s boundaries, as part of its district was reallocated to the new school. Today, Kuwazu Elementary stands as a testament to its rich history. It has witnessed significant changes and persevered through challenging times. If you look closely near the north school gate, you’ll find the Kuwazu Site stone monument. This marker commemorates the remarkable archaeological discoveries made on school grounds. Excavations revealed artifacts spanning millennia. From stone tools dating back nearly 10,000 years to pottery from the Jomon period and beyond. These finds offer a glimpse into the lives of those who inhabited this land long before Kuwazu Elementary existed. This unassuming schoolyard holds secrets. It whispers tales of generations past, making Kuwazu Elementary more than just a school. It is a living link to Osaka’s ancient heritage.