Tenri University, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, held the “Tenri University 100th Anniversary Ceremony” at Yoki Hall, located in the Oyasato-yakata’s South Right Wing 2, on April 23, the university’s founding day. The event was attended by the wife of the Shinbashira and Successor-Designate Daisuke Nakayama, as well as 302 special guests, including Takanori Nishimura, Vice Governor of Nara Prefecture; Kim Min-jeong, Vice President of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, the university’s first overseas exchange partner; and Wang Ziqi, President of Chinese Culture University.
Founded in 1925 as the Tenri School of Foreign Languages with the aim of training overseas missionaries to contribute to world salvation, the university is carrying out various projects this year to mark its 100th year under the theme “CONNECT—Let’s Begin to Connect.”
The ceremony began with the singing of the Eight Verses of Yorozuyo and featured a message from the Shinbashira, which was read aloud by Director-in-Chief of Administrative Affairs Zensuke Nakata.
In the message, the Shinbashira said that the founder, Shozen Nakayama, the second Shinbashira, established the Tenri School of Foreign Languages with the intention of supporting Tenrikyo’s overseas missionary work. The founder himself took the podium to give lectures on the Ofudesaki and was deeply committed to nurturing human resources who would carry the faith into the future.
The message went on to say that today, Tenri University—situated in the religiously significant environment of Jiba, the Home of the Parent—aims to foster fundamental humanistic education and specialized academic knowledge among its students through human interaction. Furthermore, it seeks to have students experience the joy of living the Joyous Life based on the teachings of the faith. Then the message expressed the hope that the university would continue to turn out graduates who can contribute to society in pursuit of the Joyous Life.
The message also pointed out that the origin of Tenrikyo’s educational institutions can be traced back to the founding of Tenri Seminary in 1900, and that the most important aspect of these institutions was to firmly convey the teachings of God the Parent, which should form the basis for the general principles of the world that are also part of their curriculum.
The message also noted that Tenri University was established the year before the 40th Anniversary of Oyasama, expressing hope that the joy of celebrating the university’s 100th anniversary would greatly encourage the movement toward the 140th Anniversary of Oyasama.
Finally, the message concluded by expressing the wish that Tenri University, which has made outstanding contributions for a century, will continue its collaborative efforts with everyone connected to the university, striving for its ideals and further enriching itself as an educational institution, all the while remembering its founding spirit.
Enhancing Unique Education
Prior to the reading of the Shinbashira’s message, Tenri University President Hinao Nagao took the podium and stated that Tenri University has consistently upheld its mission of “nurturing individuals who contribute to the construction of the Joyous Life World.” He emphasized the importance of cultivating three key concepts within the university: heart, word, and action.
He also referred to the 100th anniversary’s theme, “CONNECT—Let’s Begin to Connect,” stressing that the people at the other end of these connections matter most.
He then expressed his determination to enhance the university’s unique education based on its founding spirit, thereby laying a solid foundation for the next 100 years.
Commemorative Events and Performance
Before the ceremony, the event to unveil Hall No. 1 Monument Plaque took place in front of Hall No. 1 (the old main building) and was attended by Director-in-Chief of Administrative Affairs Nakata.
After the ceremony, the university’s Gagaku Music Society and Creative Dance Club presented the commemorative performance “Soseiki [The Record of Creation],” which depicted the story of the creation. The performance received warm applause from the audience.
In addition, on the afternoon of the same day, the university’s alumni association, “Furusato-kai,” hosted a public symposium titled “The 100-Year History of Tenri University Began with Hall No. 1” at the university’s Hall No. 9 (Furusato Kaikan Alumni House).
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COLUMN
The 100-Year History of Tenri University
In 1925, the Tenri School of Foreign Languages was founded by Shozen Nakayama, the second Shinbashira, with the aim of training overseas missionaries to contribute to world salvation. In 1926, the affiliated Tenri Central Library was established. In 1930, the Overseas Reference Materials Room, the predecessor of the Tenri Sankokan Museum, was opened. In 1944, the school was renamed Tenri Language College. In 1949, Tenri University was established. In 1955, the Faculty of Physical Education was established. In 1992, new faculties such as the Faculties of Human Studies and International Culture Studies were established. In 2004, the Graduate School of Clinical Human Studies (offering a Graduate Program in Clinical Psychology) was opened. In 2023, Tenri University was consolidated with Tenri Health Care University. In 2024, the university was reorganized into a system of four faculties and 15 departments, which continues to the present day.