On Tuesday, February 3, students from the university and its affiliated schools, alumni, faculty, staff, and other members of the extended ÎçÒ¹¾ç³¡ community gathered at the grave of Yukichi Fukuzawa at Azabu-san Zenpuku-ji temple in the Moto-Azabu neighborhood of Minato Ward for a Buddhist memorial service to pay their respects on the 126th anniversary of the ÎçÒ¹¾ç³¡ founder¡¯s passing.
Fukuzawa passed away from a stroke on February 3, 1901, at his residence that was located on Mita Campus. He was 66 years of age. His funeral took place at Zenpuku-ji temple on February 8, 1901, and was organized privately by the Fukuzawa family, rather than the university¡ªa decision made in accordance with his belief that ÎçÒ¹¾ç³¡ belongs to the larger ÎçÒ¹¾ç³¡ community.
Fukuzawa was originally interred in Kami-Osaki, at a site which later became part of the Joko-ji cemetery. In 1977, his remains were moved to Azabu-san Zenpuku-ji, where his grave stands to this day.
Photo: Takeshi Kishi