The university flag is a long streamer-style flag with tassel decorations, featuring the university emblem embroidered in the center.
According to Episodes of Waseda University: 125 Stories (1990), pp. 7–9, the history of the university emblem and flag can be summarized as follows:
Waseda University’s emblem originated as a badge worn on students’ caps. The badge design was officially established in 1902, the 20th anniversary of the university’s founding, together with the student uniform and cap. In 1906, it was redesigned into the form that became the basis of the current emblem: the two characters for “university” placed above a rice leaf. However, after many years of use, variations emerged in the lettering style and the shape of the leaf. To commemorate the university’s 100th anniversary, the design was standardized into its present form and protected through trademark registration.
Waseda University Photo Database (Genban Shashin), B065-01, “Students Wearing the First Square Caps (brimless square caps; vertically elongated cap badge).” Estimated to date from around 1902.
The university flag, on the other hand, was created in 1913, the 30th anniversary of the university’s founding. It was conceived by TACHIBANA Seiji and designed by KON Wajiro. At the anniversary ceremony, faculty members marched behind the university flag, which reportedly attracted considerable attention. This procession subsequently became a university tradition. The original flag from that period, however, no longer survives. The third-generation flag currently in use was newly commissioned for the university’s 100th anniversary.
Waseda University Photo Database (Genban Shashin), B102-18, “Imperial Gift Memorial Hall, VIP Room 4 (University Flag, Baseball Club Banner, and Other Pennants).” Since the photograph is believed to have been taken in 1923, the flag in the center may be the first-generation university flag.
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