Exhibitions

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The 50th Anniversary Special Exhibition – The History of Soka University is being held at Main Building Entrance Hall.

Soka University celebrated its 50th anniversary since the opening of this university. Since the establishment plan of Soka University was announced in 1964, history showing the preparations for the opening of the university to the present day are introduced. You can see the realization of the founding spirit as time changes, and the past, present, and future of Soka University.

Please use the exhibition poster at your convenience (Forwarding and Printing are allowed)

Outline of Exhibition

50 Years of Soka University (Entrance Hall)

Opening Movie
Chapter 1: The Birth of Soka University
Chapter 2: Construction and Expansion
Chapter 3: From the 20th to the 30th Anniversary
Chapter 4: A New Departure
Chapter 5: Soka University Today
Topics: Soka University Student Song
Topics: Daisaku Ikeda and the Four Seasons of Soka University
Topics: Changing Campus and Its Era
Commemorative Photo Corner: Soka University and the Hakone Ekiden Collegiate Relay Marathon

The Origin of Soka Education (Exhibition Room 1)

Tsunesaburo Makiguchi as an Educational Reformer
Proposing the Concept of Value-creating Pedagogy
Josei Toda: Practitioner and Inheritor of Value-creating Pedagogy
Youthful Days of Daisaku Ikeda, Founder of Soka University
Toda's Fostering of Ikeda and Youth
Daisaku Ikeda’s Education Proposals

To My Beloved Students (Exhibition Room 2)

Founder’s Encouragement to Students of Soka University
Founder’s Encouragement in the Early Years of Soka University
Founder’s Encouragement to Graduating Students and Almuni
Video of “To My Beloved Students”

A University Created by Students (Gallery)

1971-80 — Start of a university founded by students
1981-90 — Soka University students give full play to the development of the University
1991-2000 — Soka University Students become Japan’s No. 1
2001-2010 — Soka University Students Spread Their Wings to the Sky of the 21st Century
2011-　― Soka University Students Step Out Into the World Arena

Announcements

Permanent Exhibition on “The Educational and Academic Exchanges of the Founder of Soka University, Daisaku Ikeda” was updated.
Please enjoy viewing both exhibitions.

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Commemorating the 20th Anniversary of
Founder’s Special Lecture “Goethe the Man”

At the opening ceremony held on December 1, 2023, Soka University President Suzuki delivered his opening remarks, followed by greetings from First Secretary Dr. Soehnke Grothusen, the Director of Culture Department from the German Embassy, and Professor Takao Ito (Faculty of Letters) introduced the congratulatory speech by the former President of Goethe-Gesellschaft in Japan, Dr. Yoshihito Mori.

Soka University Chairman Mr. Yasunori Tashiro reflected on Founder Ikeda’s special lecture held in 2003, under the title “Goethe the Man,” and called for a renewed determination to “succeed and continue to pursue the grand goal of the Founder, and to realize world peace and the happiness of the people.”

After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Faculty of Education Associate Professor Hiromi Adachi and a student from the Faculty of Letters performed the song “Heidenröslein” (Heath Rose). The song is a poem of Goethe, composed by Schubert and Werner. A digest video of founder’s lecture titled “Goethe the Man” was screened, followed by explanation of the exhibits by Executive Vice President Ryohei Tanaka.

The exhibition and the opening ceremony were reported on several newspapers, including the Yomiuri Shimbun (Tama edition, morning newspaper), Mainichi Shimbun (Tama edition, morning newspaper), and Seikyo Shimbun on December 2. On December 11, 2023, the Hachioji City Superintendant of Education, Mr. Yasuma Hideshio, visited the exhibition and said, “These are the treasures of Hachioji city.”

Exhibits

Handwritten letters by Goethe, nine letters, 17 pages, 1819-1823 (replicas, released to the public for the first time in Japan)
The Sorrows of Young Werther, 1775, first edition, second printing
Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship, 4 volumes, 1795-1796, first printing
The Complete Works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 61 volumes, 1827-1830, 1832-1842, first edition (pocket edition)

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Exhibition to Commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Publication of Dialogue “Choose Life”

Furthermore, as part of this commemorative event, “Call for short essays” focusing on the content of the book “Choose Life” was held, targeting undergraduate students, women college students, graduate school students, correspondence program students, and the most excellent essay selected was presented with “Choose Life Award”. There was also a contest for nationwide senior high school students to share their thoughts on reading the dialogue series.

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“It is a great pleasure today to hold the Exhibition at Soka University on a grand scale under the bright skies in autumn. A Chinese proverb that Premier Zhou En Lai quoted, “When you drink water, remember the people who made a well and where the source of water came from”. Similarly, it is extremely important to learn about the history of Daisaku Ikeda’s exchange for Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations, and Tokyo China Cultural Center has held this exhibition at several locations – Tokyo, Kanazawa, Yokohama, Kochi, etc. This exhibition has been visited by many young people, but I am praying that this exhibition at Soka University will be the most magnificent one.” said the head of Tokyo China Cultural Center, Mr. Shi Jun.

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The Educational and Academic Exchanges of the Founder of Soka University, Daisaku Ikeda

To commemorate Founder’s 300th Honorary Doctorate, a “Special Exhibition to Commemorate 300 Honorary Doctorates – The Educational and Academic Exchanges of the Founder of Soka University, Daisaku Ikeda” was held in the lobby of Main Building 5F.

In this exhibition, 8 continents were introduced and displayed – China and East Asia, Russia and Central Asia, Europe, North America, Africa, the Middle East, etc. 3 main sections were introduced:

The first section introduces the Founder’s efforts and contributions to world peace, which include the proposal for the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China, and his subsequent contributions to promoting Sino-Japanese friendship. The Founder has conducted many dialogues and meetings, having visited 54 countries and territories around the world. Regardless of continent or country, whether it is China, India, Russia, Europe, Africa, and the East-West ocean, he built a bridge of peace that transcends ideologies.

The second section presents the introduction of the dialogue with Professor Arnold J. Toynbee, named “Dialogue with the World’s Intellects”. The founder has engaged in many dialogues with intellects around the world in the field of politics, economics, literature, arts, and science.　He strongly believes that through honest and sincere one-on-one dialogues, we can overcome all ethnic and national differences to achieve prosperity and the harmonious coexistence of humankind.

The third section introduces the founding of Soka Education schools, and “Promotion of Education and Academic Exchanges between Soka University and universities around the world”, with 176 universities as of January 2016. The founder established educational institutions such as Soka Gakuen, Soka University, Soka Women College, and the Soka University of America to foster capable individuals in the world, and promoted educational exchanges with schools such as Moscow University, Peking University, University of the Philippines, University of Delaware and Glasgow University.

Chairperson Yasunori Tashiro said at the opening ceremony, “This year, 2010, marks the 80th anniversary since the publishing of the first volume of “The System of Value-Creating Pedagogy” by Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, and the first time that the word “Soka” (value-creation), which is the name of this university was used. Next year, we will celebrate the founding 40th anniversary of Soka University. I hope that through this exhibition, we could deepen our knowledge in learning about Founder Ikeda’s achievements and the history of Soka Education”.

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The exhibition mainly focused on the university’s founding period, and for the students who were already present during the founding period, it reminded them of their fond memories, and for the current students, it is a good opportunity for them to know that these are the events and stories that have happened at Soka University.

In addition, the contents of this exhibition were closely linked to the “Listening to Soka University Chapter” symposium that was held for the third time that year. At the symposium, the people who were written in the chapter and the people who were present during the founding days of the university were introduced.

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Many young children had given similar feedback, particularly a fifth-year student from Tokyo Soka Elementary School who had visited Soka University for summer school, “I want to challenge in learning English and another language after viewing the exhibition.” A 56-year-old woman shared, “I hope to challenge myself with the heart of lifelong education and to be able to read in a foreign language even if it is just one.” An undergraduate student of Soka University shared, “I was able to realize and understand the spread of Founder’s heart and spirit. I will work hard to fulfill my dream of working overseas and mastering languages.”
 

In addition, Mr. Bian Li Qiang, who had translated many of the Founder’s books into Chinese Language, had visited the exhibition.

“30 years ago, I met Mr. Ikeda when I was still at Peking University, Japanese Language Department. I was impressed by his personal charm and decided to read the books which he had gifted to Peking University. I was moved after reading and decided to start translating his works. It was in the 1980s that his book “My Resume” was first translated into Chinese language. There are no hardships in translation. I think it is something that I need for my life. I am determined to continuously translate. Currently, Mr. Ikeda’s words are also displayed in the subways of Shanghai. I think that is why Mr. Ikeda’s words serve as guidelines for Chinese citizens.”
 

The Founder’s works are currently being translated at many territories. We could see a glimpse of the thoughts and hearts of the people who were involved and their encounters with the Founder. It was a moment of realization to see the Founder’s works spreading across the world.

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In commemoration of the Founder’s 150th honorary doctorate award, an exhibition on “1000 Translated Books” of the Founder’s works in the collection of the Soka Education Research Centre (current institute) was held.

In the process of organizing the Founder’s translated books at the research center, the sheer volume and number of books were far greater than expected, and these books were made known to many people, including Soka University students. The exhibition displayed a wide range of dialogue series books and picture books published in 31 languages from 39 countries, where approximately 1100 books were introduced in this public exhibition.

There were 357 English translated books, which is the largest number of books displayed in this exhibition, followed by 276 Chinese (simplified and traditional) translated books. Out of the many translated books, the book that is most widely translated and published was the dialogue series book between Founder and Arnold J. Toynbee - “Choose Life”.

The exhibition was separated into different languages, and there were reading corners where visitors could read the books placed at the center of the exhibition hall. Many visitors could view books written in different languages, and feel the difference in the pages and paper used for the books. Furthermore, the number of books published by different countries and the 150 universities that have presented honorary doctorates to the Founder were displayed on the world map.

In addition, the “Ikeda Bunko Special Exhibition” held in conjunction with this exhibition, was hosted by Soka University’s Central Library, where valuable books from local and overseas donors who donated foreign books of the Founder that are usually not open to the public from “Ikeda’s book collection” were displayed. In the 13 days when this exhibition was held, about 1700 people visited this exhibition.

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In 2004, an exhibition on Lu Xun’s writings and related works from Ikeda’s book collection was held at Central Tower Level 4, Exhibition Room 4.

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In May 2003, an exhibition on “The History of Soka University”, “Graduation Commemorative Book, Founder’s Writings to Students”, and “30th Anniversary of Dialogue between Ikeda and Toynbee” was held.

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