2023 SHIBA Ryotaro Memorial Lecture Meeting held

The Osaka University SHIBA Ryotaro Memorial Lecture Meeting was held in the Large Lecture Hall on the first floor of the Minoh Campus’s Research and Education Hub on Saturday, October 14.

The Memorial Lecture Meeting is annually held in honor of Shiba Ryotaro, an author and graduate of the Osaka University of Foreign Studies (now the School of Foreign Studies, Osaka University) in order to retrace his accomplishments.

This 26th year's lecture, which also marks the centennial of his birthday, was held with some 170 participants in attendance under the theme of "The Power of Historical Novels to Connect Past and Future – Looking Back at the 100th Anniversary of SHIBA Ryotaro’s Birth."

The lecture meeting began with a reading of the passage “Heiwa (Peace)” from SHIBA Ryotaro’s collection of essays entitled "Fuujinshou” by facilitator OGAWA Mayu.
First, President NISHIO Shojiro made an introductory speech on the lecture’s topic on behalf of the organizers.

President NISHIO Shojiro

Next, the short video contest entitled “OU Students, Kaido wo Yuku [Traveling along the Ancient Thoroughfares]” was held. Following in SHIBA Ryotaro’s travelogue series “Kaido wo Yuku,” OU students presented their short films associated with streets.
At the following Q&A session, the students spoke about the influence that SHIBA Ryotaro had on them and their feelings about his works.
Four students (MIYAKI Yuna, TANI Kaho, OGURA Ryo, and TOMITA Ayako) participated in the contest, and attendees at the venue voted to determine the top videos.

Part 1: Student Video Contest

To begin the second half of the lecture meeting, author SATO Ken’ichi spoke on the topic of “Historical Novels: Where Did they Come From? Where Are They Going?“
Mr. Sato spoke about the relationship between historical novels and history science viewed from the perspective of the graduate who majored in western history while mentioning SHIBA Ryotaro’s historical materialist perspective. The audience was listening intently.

Mr. SATO Ken'ichi

During the following discussion with the facilitator, Associate Professor MIYASHITA Ryo of the Graduate School of Humanities, Mr. Sato elaborated his lecture from his perspective as a novelist and scholar, charming the audience.

From left: Professor Furuta, Mr. Sato, Associate Professor Miyashita

After the discussion, voting results of the video contest were announced and prizes were awarded to the following two students by President Nishio.

• Grand Prize: "Nostalgic Labyrinth" - OGURA Ryo (4th year, School of Foreign Studies)
• Runner-up: "Experiencing the Scenic Beauty of Echizen" - TOMITA Ayako (2nd year, School of Foreign Studies)

Runner-up TOMITA Ayako

Grand prize winner OGURA Ryo (left) and President Nishio

Finally, OUCHI Hajime, chair of Osaka University School of Foreign Studies/Osaka University of Foreign Studies Alumni Association “Sakuyakai,” gave a closing remark.

A recording of this academic lecture meeting will be available to view on Osaka University’s official YouTube channel for three weeks starting at a later date. Those who wish to view this recording must apply via the link below to receive the appropriate URL (only those with this URL will be able to access this recording).

https://forms.office.com/r/QRwKB7eHyG

You can also access apply via the QR code below: