History of Osaka University

Although officially founded in 1931 as Japan’s 6th imperial university, you may be interested to learn that Osaka University’s roots reach back to 1838 and Tekijuku, a private “place of learning” founded by OGATA Koan. As the author SHIBA Ryotaro wrote at the beginning of his historical novel Kashin,Tekijuku, a private “place of learning” in Semba, Osaka, for Western medicine was the predecessor of Osaka University. Thanks to Tekijuku, the passion for scholarship of Osaka citizens and the spirit of “For people, for society, and for benevolence,” were passed on to Osaka University.

Osaka Senior High School and Naniwa High School

Osaka Senior High School was established in Tennoji, Osaka in 1921 as a state high school under the old school system for the purpose of nurturing personnel in the aftermath of WWI.
The school’s course term was 3 years. At that time, there were only two schools in Japan offering French in one of the science courses: Tokyo Senior High School and Osaka Senior High School. Osaka Medical School Preparatory Course was dissolved to establish an Osaka Prefectural senior high school under the old school system. As a result, Naniwa High School was established in Toyonaka, Osaka in 1926 and its course term was 7 years including 4 years in elementary school.
Osaka Senior High School and Naniwa High School were abolished in 1950 and integrated into Osaka University under the new school system, developing into two separate schools: the Faculty of Liberal Arts South and the Faculty of Liberal Arts North.

Kaitokudo

Kaitokudo was established as a place of learning in 1724 for merchants in Amagasaki-cho in Osaka (currently Imabashi, Chuo-ku). Kaitokudo was a place of learning for many citizens, both young and old. Thanks to a wide variety of lessons such as Han [Chinese] learning, Japanese studies, prose and poetry, as well as to its less rigid environment that allowed students to be absent for reasons such as business, Kaitokudo prospered for some 150 years as a center of learning in western Japan. The appeal of Kaitokudo rested in being a place of learning where anyone, both employers and employees, could study advanced scholarship. Unfortunately, during WWII, Kaitokudo was destroyed.
Following the war and the addition of the School of Law and Letters to Osaka University, the surviving collections of historical books possessed by Kaitokudo were passed on to Osaka University. These book collections are symbolic of much that Osaka University inherited from Osaka City.
2024 marked the 300th anniversary of Kaitokudo.

Osaka University under a new school system

After WWII, Osaka Senior High School and Naniwa Senior High School merged, and in 1949, Osaka University was reborn with five schools — the School of Letters, the School of Law and Economics, the School of Science, the School of Medicine, and the School of Engineering. Shortly thereafter, collections of historical books possessed by Kaitokudo were donated to the School of Letters by the Kaitokudo Memorial Association. Thus, as the 1950’s dawned, today’s liberal arts schools at Osaka University can be seen taking shape.

Today Research-oriented comprehensive university

With the spirit it has inherited, Osaka University established unique undergraduate schools, graduate schools, and research centers. Today, Osaka University has four campuses: Suita, Toyonaka, Minoh, and Nakanoshima. Furthermore, the university boasts 11 undergraduate schools, 15 graduate schools, and 23 centers and institutes for research. It is clearly one of Japan’s outstanding comprehensive universities. Thanks to its open spirit as well as its eagerness to meet the needs of the times, Osaka University has established pioneering schools, graduate schools, and research institutes in both the sciences and liberal arts.

The following slogans and their spirit have been handed down to today’s Osaka University. First president NAGAOKA Hantaro’s: “Do not lick the sake lees.” [Do not imitate others. Forge your own path.] At the founding of the School of Engineering Science, 6th President SHODA Kenjiro’s: “Create genuine culture by fusing science with art.” 11th President YAMAMURA Yuichi’s: “Live Locally, Grow Globally.”

Osaka, a city that can make people smile with energy

Osaka is Japan’s second city. As well as the central business hub in western Japan, Osaka has been at the heart of Japan’s cultural and economical development for hundreds of years. With relics from the city’s past still standing, Osaka is a city where you can truly feel Japan’s history.

Osaka is also the city of comedy. With comedy styles such as manzai originating in Osaka and gaining popularity throughout the rest of the country, Osaka has taken center stage as the city with the friendliest and funniest people in Japan.With a perfect mix of traditional and popular culture, a stay in Osaka will provide you with unforgettable memories that will keep you smiling on.

Source: All you need to know about Osaka