Fukuchan “Waseda Daigaku No Maki”

Fukuchan is a boy who is the main character of “Fukuchan,” a four-frame comic strip cartoon that was once serialized in the Asahi and Mainichi newspapers by cartoonist Ryuichi Yokoyama (1909-2001).

Since the school cap worn by Fukuchan resembled the Waseda University square cap, Fukuchan became Waseda’s mascot for more than 50 years from 1950 to 2003, especially at Waseda-Keio games, and gained popularity.

Fukuchan’s use was directly approved by its creator, Yokoyama, who said, “Only Waseda University and the local community have extraterritorial rights without copyright.” Therefore, even outside of Waseda-Keio games, Fukuchan has appeared here and there on the Waseda University campus and in the streets around Waseda, and has long been familiar to students and residents alike.

This exhibition introduces the activities of “Fukuchan,” which was indispensable for cheering for the Waseda-Keio games, with related materials and photos, and traces the more than 80 years of progress of the Waseda University Cheerleading Club.

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Dates

July 21, 2023 (Friday) – October 1, 2023 (Sunday) 10:00 – 17:00
Closed: Wednesdays, August 10-20,26,27 and September1 -15,17-18
*Please check the Waseda University History Museum website for the latest information regarding the museum’s opening before visiting

Venue & Access

Waseda University History Museum, Temporary Exhibition Room (Building No.1, 1st floor)

1F, Building No.1, Waseda Campus, Waseda University, 1-6-1, Nishi-Waseda, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-8050, Japan

Tokyo Metro Tozai Line “Waseda” Station: 5 min. walk from Exit 2, 3A, 3B
5-minute walk from Waseda Station on the Toden Arakawa Line
1 minute walk from the last stop of the Toei Bus bound for “Waseda University Main Gate” from Takadanobaba Station (Waseda Exit) on JR Yamanote Line and Seibu Shinjuku Line.

Fee

Free (Reservations not required)

Hosted by

Waseda University History Museum