A glimpse into the University’s museums with Museum Week 2021
Fri, Jun 4, 2021-
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To celebrate the culture and arts here at the University, Waseda held Musuem Week 2021 from May 17 to 28. The two-week event served as a chance for students, faculty, staff and the general public to get to know the different on and off-campus museums, and special preparations were made to bring each museum’s content online this year for all to enjoy.
Below, we introduce the five main museums of Waseda. From pieces of Waseda’s history to the world of theater, sports memorabilia to ancient artifacts, come take a look at the culture and art that the University has to offer.
The Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum
Lovingly nicknamed Enpaku (an abbreviation of the official Japanese name), the museum stands as Waseda’s oldest museum. Established as a commemoration of Professor Tsubouchi Shoyo’s 70th birthday and his completed Japanese translations of all 40 volumes of the “Complete Works of Shakespeare,” the Enpaku is currently one of the only museums in all of Asia specializing in the world of theater. From Shakespeare to kabuki, and featuring materials ranging spanning paper, painting, film and clothing, there is incredible variety and depth to the materials featured in each collection.
Aizu Museum
Though the building itself was first built in 1925, previously housing the former Waseda University library, renovations in 1998 gave birth to Waseda’s second museum. Including ancient oriental art, such as the unique Yaichi Aizu collection, the museum features a variety of Japanese early modern and contemporary paintings. Separately located in the nearby 125th Anniversary Room of the Okuma Memorial Tower, archeological pieces (excavated from places such as Egypt and Latin America) and folk materials from Africa and Oceania regions, among others, are proudly on display.
Waseda University History for Tomorrow Museum
With the goal of turning Waseda’s history into a living museum, Waseda’s third museum was born. The museum looks at Waseda’s past, present and future over its 130 years of rich history. Starting with the foundations, the museum highlights important historical figures behind the university’s conception. As one continues through each room, the academic achievements, research, and societal contributions of the Waseda community really becomes apparent; an absolute must-see to discover the individuals and accomplishments of Waseda’s legacy.
Waseda Sports Museum
Waseda is well known for its strength in sports, producing renowned athletes that go on to compete at the Olympic level. With 44 official sports teams, Waseda created this museum to house and showcase the history of the university’s teams. Materials detailing achievements of notable athletes and their accomplishments, as well as various sports memorabilia such as equipment and uniforms utilized in the past, are displayed on rotation, giving museum-goers something to look forward to with each visit. The museum stands as a space symbolizing Waseda’s passion and dedication to continue the fostering of athletics at the university.
Honjo-Waseda no Mori Museum
Waseda’s newest addition is a joint operation with Honjo City. The museum highlights the history of Honjo City, which began in the Paleolithic Age, featuring a variety of archeological materials, including Haniwa, terra-cotta clay sculptures used during the Kofun period. In the Waseda University section of the museum, exhibits are displayed such as last year’s collection of Oceanian folk art, and the current porcelain exhibit featuring materials from places such as Egypt, Iran, Myanmar and Thailand.
What’s next for Waseda’s on-campus museum culture? Preparations are currently underway for the University’s newest addition, the Haruki Murakami Library! Scheduled to open Oct. 2021, the museum will celebrate the prolific author and Waseda alumni Murakami, capturing his works ideas and emotion through a unique architectural space. We look forward to the new museum, and what role it will play in next year’s Museum Week!
Those interested in the architecture behind the Haruki Murakami Library, take a look at our interview, linked below, with the individual who played a vital role in the design process — world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma.