大阪市立第二工芸高等学校

Clutching the worn leather of my satchel, I remember my first day at Osaka City Second Industrial High School. The imposing main building, a nostalgic whisper of the early 20th century, welcomed me. Osaka City Second Industrial High School, originally established as the second branch of Osaka City Industrial School in 1941, specialized in night courses. It also offered departments in metalwork and woodwork. That night school eventually evolved into what we know today as Osaka City Second Industrial High School. Did you know that this very building, with its reddish-brown brick facade and arched windows, was inspired by the Bauhaus-predecessor, the Weimar Arts and Crafts School? Designed with the flair of early 1900s European architecture, it became a designated tangible cultural property of Osaka City in 2000. It was also recognized as a structure representing Japan’s modern industrial history in 2009. The school wasn’t just about bricks and mortar. It housed three distinct departments: Interior Design, Craft, and Design. Imagine mastering woodworking or creating exquisite furniture in the Interior Design department. Picture yourself shaping metal, working with glass, or learning the art of ceramics in the Craft department. Or perhaps, you envision yourself immersed in the world of drawing, film, and computer graphics in the Design department. Osaka City Second Industrial High School offered a unique blend of technical training and artistic expression. While the school closed in 2025, its legacy continues to inspire. Thousands of graduates, including notable artists, designers, and musicians, carry the school’s spirit of creativity and craftsmanship. As we stand here, let’s appreciate the unique blend of history, architecture, and education that defined Osaka City Second Industrial High School.