Keisen University facts for kids

Keisen University

Keisen Campus

Keisen University (恵泉女学園大学, Keisen jogakuen daigaku) was a private university for women located in Tama, Tokyo, Japan. It was started in 1988. The university was connected to the Keisen School for Young Women, which was founded in 1929 by Michi Kawai. She was an important leader for the Young Women's Christian Associations of Japan. In March 2023, Keisen University shared that it would close down after the students who joined in 2023 finished their studies. The university did not accept new students for the 2024 school year.

What Keisen University Believed In

The Organ and Chapel

Keisen University had a special way of teaching. It was based on three main ideas:

• Christianity: This meant respecting every person. It taught students to care for others, no matter their background or where they came from.
• International Peace Studies: This part of their teaching helped Japanese women learn more about the world. It encouraged them to understand different cultures and work to solve problems.
• Horticulture: This was about loving nature and respecting all living things. It taught students important lessons about life through gardening.

What Students Could Study

Keisen University offered different subjects for students to learn.

Faculty of Humanities

• Department of Japanese Language and Culture
• Department of English Communication

Faculty of Human and Social Studies

• Department of International Social Studies
• Department of Psychology and Horticulture

Graduate School Programs

Keisen University also had programs for students who wanted to continue their studies after college. These programs focused on advanced topics.

• Graduate School of Humanities - Cultural Coexistence: This program focused on teaching Japanese language and understanding different cultures living together.
• Graduate School of Human and Social Studies - Peace Studies: This program was about studying how to create peace in the world.

Places at Keisen University

The Chapel

The university had a chapel where regular services were held. Students could also enjoy music from the pipe organ. There was a Christian center located under the chapel. Sometimes, special concerts were held there for students and people from the local community.

Educational Farm

Educational Farm for Horticulture

Keisen University had a large farm called the "Farm for Education." Here, students grew many different kinds of vegetables and flowers. All first-year students had a required class in horticulture. In this class, they learned how to plant and care for vegetables and flowers.

Herb Garden

There was also a beautiful herb garden with many different types of herbs. Students could pick herbs from the garden. Sometimes, they even made and drank herbal teas. The herb garden was also a popular spot for students to eat their lunch.

Connections Around the World

Keisen University had connections with other schools in different countries. Students could study abroad in places like California, Thailand, England, and Australia. The university also had special educational links with these institutions:

• North Western College (Iowa, USA)
• Silla University (Busan, Korea)
• Payap University (Chiang Mai, Thailand)

Famous People from Keisen University

Many notable people were connected to Keisen University, either as founders, teachers, or former students.

• Michi Kawai: She was the founder of the university.
• Noyuri Otsuka: An honorary professor and a Christian writer and researcher.
• Sachiko Kokubu: An actress who studied English literature at the Junior College.
• Rieko Hara: A former student from the Faculty of Humanities.
• Sasagu Arai: A professor of Theology.
• Masami Ohinata: A professor in the Department of Human Life and Environment Studies.
• Kenji Kawashima: A professor in the Department of International Social Studies.
• Yuichi Yoshikawa: A professor and translator.
• Satoshi Fujita: A professor of horticulture and a regular presenter on NHK.