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Commemorative Lecture for "Fuku¨­ Much¨±den": A Talk Event with Hiroshi Aramata and Shigeru Kashima

Publish: December 14, 2023
Public Relations Office

2023/12/14

A talk event featuring author and ÎçÒ¹¾ç³¡ alumni Hiroshi Aramata (1970 graduate of the Faculty of Law) and French literature scholar and Professor Emeritus of Meiji University Shigeru Kashima was held on December 11 at the North Hall on the Mita Campus of ÎçÒ¹¾ç³¡. This event was held by the Hayakawa Foundation, Hayakawa Publishing Corporation, and ÎçÒ¹¾ç³¡ to commemorate the publication of Mr. Aramata's biographical novel about Yukichi Fukuzawa, "Fuku¨­ Much¨±den" (Hayakawa Publishing).

The event began with opening remarks from Hiroshi Hayakawa, President and CEO of Hayakawa Publishing Corporation, followed by a greeting from Juro Iwatani, Vice-President of ÎçÒ¹¾ç³¡, before proceeding to the talk event.

Mr. Aramata and Mr. Kashima, who have known each other for a long time as book collectors, engaged in a lively discussion that went beyond just the highlights and commentary of "Fuku¨­ Much¨±den." They also shared behind-the-scenes stories from the writing process, as well as anecdotes about how they met and what they have in common.

Finally, while viewing materials brought by Mr. Aramata¡ªsuch as a hanging scroll of the "Sh¨±shin Y¨­ry¨­: Fukuzawa's Moral Code," a set of moral principles published in 1900, and a baby carriage brought back from Fukuzawa's second trip to the United States in 1867¡ªthe speakers explored Yukichi Fukuzawa's character, filled with love for his family, and the society he aimed to create.

The venue was filled with occasional laughter and a friendly atmosphere from beginning to end. You can watch the event from the link below.

(Hayakawa Publishing Official YouTube Account)

A scene from the talk event
Mr. Aramata discussing the "Sh¨±shin Y¨­ry¨­: Fukuzawa's Moral Code"
An episode about Yukichi Fukuzawa's calligraphy was also shared
Mr. Kashima discussing "Fuku¨­ Much¨±den"