Keio University (Japan)

Keio University is a private institution founded in 1858 by Yukichi Fukuzawa.

The University symbols are explained at Keio University Symbols page

Sanshokuki (Blue-Red-Blue Flag)

The school flag of Keio is called the “Sanshokuki” (means three-colored flag), but unlike the national flag of France, it is actually two colors in three stripes of blue, red and blue. The meaning of these colors are not clear. The exact date of establishment is not clearly known, however, in newspaper "Jiji Shimpo" dated 28 November, 1894, there is an article about Keio University students joining a parade for the first time to celebrate the fall of Ryojun in the Sino-Japanese War, carrying tin can lanterns with the school flag flaunting beside them. In "Fuzoku Gaho" volume 82, published in December of the same year, the same news is shown with a picture of the three striped flag with the Pen Mark on its left shoulder, although the colors cannot be distinguished. The Sanshokuki seems to have appeared around 1895, originally using light blue and red, and around 1898 when Eikichi Kamata became President of Keio University, it seems to have been officially authorized as the school flag. However, the size, shape and colors were not standardized, therefore on 14 February 1964, size and color of the flag and placement of the Pen Mark on the flag was officially standardized.

Both the Pen Mark and Sanshokuki were registered in 1992 as trademarks of Keio University, and are now under the law's protection. Furthermore, in 2005, in preparation for Keio University's 150th anniversary, the Visual Identity Guideline was developed for the Pen Mark, Sanshokuki, etc. The marks have become easier to use as symbols of Keio University.

Jan Mertens, 11 April 2008