Yokohama Nishi Ward

Description

Strolling through Nishi-ward: Memorial Monument of Tanko-sensei



In 4-chome Sengencho, there is a small park called Sengen Shakomae Park. It is located next to garage of municipal buses. The second floor of the garage is Nishi-ward Sports Center. At a corner of the park, there is a memorial monument engraved “Place of death of teacher Tanko Kimura”. The monument looks like surviving various hardships including wars, winds and snows.



Teacher Tanko wan born in 1853 (Kaei 6) in Sendai and moved to Yokohama in order to be an educator. Once he started teaching at school, he was worried about the fact there were many kids who couldn’t afford to go to school. Then he resigned principal position of Katabira Elementary School. He expanded private funds to established a private school “Rintoku Jinjo Elementary School” in 1914 (Taisho 3) and he devoted himself to realize his dreams.



However, when the school operation got on the track in Taisho 12, on the day of school opening, he ended his life due to Great Kanto earthquake. The monument was built by volunteers to commemorate his achievements.

※ It can be pronounced “Tanya” too.



Writing and picture by Tai Hasewaga (Nishi ward Cultural Association/Chairman of Kiko Society)



※This is a sketch and writing published in Yokohama Public Relation Nishi ward edition between November 1997 and April 2004. Please be noted that there’s a possibility that information in the article may be changed.



(Published July in 2003)