The Monument of Koizumi Yakumo's Former Residence

Author: Richard Perkins
Photos/Videos Taken: 2021/02/17
Address: 7 Tomihisacho, Shinjuku-ku,
Tokyo,【162-0067】

Koizumi Yakumo was a British national born in Greece and raised in Ireland. He came to Japan when he was 39, and while living in the Meiji era (1868-1912), he moved around Japan, living in several prefectures while writing books about his experiences in Japan and his thoughts on the country. Koizumi Yakumo's books about Japan still greatly impact others researching and studying Japan today. One of the many houses that Koizumi Yakumo lived in was in the Shinjuku ward of Tokyo. Unfortunately, that house no longer exists. Where the house once stood is now "Seijō Gakuen", a middle school and high school.

The Meiji era was a time when Japan went through rapid modernization. Koizumi Yakumo had unsettling feelings about this sudden and rapid change, and there’s no doubt that in this house, he had many thoughts and feelings about Japan as a result of this change. As it is today, the Tokyo that Koizumi Yakumo lived in was likely an area in Japan that constantly underwent big changes. Because of this, the house he lived in was one where he most likely did lots of writing based on his thoughts and feelings.

Outside of Seijō Gakuen is a small sign explaining how Koizumi Yakumo ended up living here. There is also an explanation about what he enjoyed in the area, such as  Jishōin, a Buddhist temple.

Inside Seijō Gakuen itself is the 舊居跡 (kyū-kyo-ato), or a monument to the remains of Koizumi Yakumo’s former residence. This is most likely the exact spot in which Koizumi Yakoumo’s former house stood. Unfortunately, no one other than students or faculty at this school can enter the grounds, so one can’t get up close to this monument.