“Never Forget Tsuruhama.” This song embodies the spirit of a school that once stood proudly. It speaks to the history of Osaka Municipal Tsuruhama Elementary School.
Let’s explore Osaka Municipal Tsuruhama Elementary School’s legacy. It is a story intertwined with Osaka Municipal Tsuruhama Elementary School. We stand near the grounds of Osaka Municipal Tsuruhama Elementary School.
The area where Osaka Municipal Tsuruhama Elementary School stood faced immense change. Land reclamation during the Taisho era shaped the Tsuruhama district. This led to the establishment of Osaka Municipal Tsuruhama Elementary School in 1921. It began as Tsuruhama Ordinary Elementary School. The school’s location was then in the Nishi district.
Rapid population growth strained the school’s resources. To alleviate this several new schools were created. South Nagato Elementary School was established in 1924. Minato Minami Ordinary Elementary School followed in 1930. Shin Chiyoda Ordinary Elementary School opened in 1938. These schools branched out from Tsuruhama Elementary School.
In 1941 Japan implemented the National School Order. Tsuruhama Ordinary Elementary School became Tsuruhama National School. Other schools like Minato Minami and Shin Chiyoda also changed their names.
As World War II intensified student evacuations became necessary. In 1944 children from Tsuruhama National School were sent to Tokushima Prefecture. They were placed in various towns and villages.
Air raids in 1945 devastated Osaka. The school building of Minato Minami National School was completely destroyed. Tsuruhama National School also suffered total destruction. Shin Chiyoda National School was partially burned.
The war’s aftermath led to school closures. In 1946 Tsuruhama and Shin Chiyoda closed and merged with Kita Nagato National School. Minato Minami National School also closed and merged with Minami Nagato National School. The former site of Minato Minami National School became Osaka Municipal Taisho Nishi Junior High School.
In 1949 Tsuruhama Elementary School reopened. It used the former Shin Chiyoda Elementary School building as a temporary campus. In 1950 the school rebuilt its current location.
Typhoons in 1950 and 1961 caused flooding. The school building suffered damage. The school overcame several challenges.
To cope with a growing number of children a branch school opened in 1979. In 1980 the branch became independent. It was named Osaka Municipal Tsuruhama Elementary School. The name “Tsuruhama” came from the former town name Tsuruhama-dori.
In 2015 Osaka Municipal Tsuruhama Elementary School was re-integrated. It closed due to declining enrollment. Its legacy lives on in the memories of its students and staff. The song “Never Forget Tsuruhama” encapsulates this. Today the site houses the Tsuruhama Storage Warehouse for Buried Cultural Properties.
The traditions of both schools continue. They enrich the present-day Tsuruhama Elementary School. It is a testament to resilience community and the enduring power of education.