Yukichi Memorial Day (Sekkichi)

What Is Yukichi Memorial Day (Sekkichi)?

February 3rd marks the day in 1901 when Fukuzawa Yukichi, the renowned thinker and educator who founded Keio Gijuku, passed away. His memorial day is known as "Sekkichi," named after "Sekchi" (Snow Pond), a pen name he used in his later years.

The Meaning Behind the Name "Sekkichi"

The name "Sekkichi" comes directly from the pen name Fukuzawa Yukichi adopted late in life.

• Who Fukuzawa Yukichi was: an influential thinker active from the late Edo period into the Meiji era, who founded Keio Gijuku (now Keio University) and left a lasting mark on modern education in Japan
• His major achievements: through works such as "An Encouragement of Learning," he advocated for freedom unbound by social status and the spirit of practical learning, influencing countless people
• His grave: located at Zenpuku-ji Temple on Azabu-yama in Tokyo's Minato Ward, where memorial services are still held on his death anniversary by those connected to him

The Spirit of "Independence and Self-Respect," Still Carried On Today

The spirit of "independence and self-respect" that Fukuzawa Yukichi championed -- the importance of thinking, judging, and acting on one's own -- remains part of the educational philosophy at Keio Gijuku to this day.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Pick up one of Fukuzawa Yukichi's writings, such as "An Encouragement of Learning"
• Learn about the founding of Keio Gijuku and the educational philosophy behind it
• Visit a place connected to Fukuzawa Yukichi, such as Zenpuku-ji Temple in Azabu, Tokyo
• Trace the life of Fukuzawa Yukichi, who lived through the turbulent Meiji era

What a Single Book Still Says, Across the Generations

Alongside his famous words, "Heaven does not create one person above or below another," Fukuzawa Yukichi's ideas continue to shape how many people choose to live. Let February 3rd be a quiet moment to reflect on the life of an educator who helped lay the foundations of modern Japan.