Winter Campus: Bare Trees and Disappearing Fallen Leaves

The History and Characteristics of the University of Tokyo The University of Tokyo, abbreviated as Todai, was established in 1877 and is one of Japan’s oldest national universities. Its predecessors were the "Tokyo Kaisei School" and "Tokyo Medical School," which later merged to form the University of Tokyo. Todai holds a pivotal position in Japan’s education and academic fields, having nurtured countless outstanding talents, including multiple Nobel laureates and Japanese prime ministers. The University of Tokyo is renowned for its rigorous admission standards and excellent academic level. It has a strong academic atmosphere and advanced research facilities, covering a wide range of disciplines from natural sciences to humanities. Todai’s educational philosophy emphasizes cultivating students’ independent thinking and innovative spirit, which has earned its graduates high praise both in Japan and internationally. The University of Tokyo’s predecessor was the "Tokyo Imperial University," established in 1877, the first modern university in Japan and one of Asia’s top institutions. Eleven Nobel Prize winners have come from here, and a random encounter with a white-haired elder on campus could be a leading authority in some field. Campus Architectural Features Todai’s architecture is like a living history textbook: the campus buildings feature diverse styles, blending traditional and modern elements. Besides Yayoi Auditorium — a Gothic Revival gray-brown tower that symbolizes Todai, built in 1925 as Tokyo’s tallest building at the time and now mainly serving as the backdrop for graduation ceremonies — other campus buildings also have unique characteristics. Buildings like Engineering Building No. 2 and No. 6, though lacking the classical charm of Yayoi Auditorium, are known for their modern design and functionality. The roads on campus are lined with neatly trimmed greenery. Although it’s winter and many trees have lost all their leaves, the bare ginkgo tree looks like an upside-down broom. Strangely, there isn’t a single fallen leaf on the ground. The plane trees along the engineering department path have only branches left, sketching nerve-ending-like patterns against the blue sky. Campus Walk: Feeling Todai’s Tranquility and Vitality After leaving the central cafeteria, I strolled through the campus, feeling Todai’s tranquility and vitality. In the plaza outside Yayoi Auditorium stands a large tree, tall and strong. This tree seems to be the guardian of Todai, silently witnessing the changing seasons of the campus. Continuing forward, I arrived at Engineering Buildings No. 2 and No. 6. The modern design of these buildings contrasts sharply with the classical style of Yayoi Auditorium, yet they coexist harmoniously on the same campus. This blend of tradition and modernity is exactly the charm of the University of Tokyo. Walking along the campus paths, although it is winter, there isn’t a single fallen leaf on the ground, making the place exceptionally clean.