Founder and History

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Contents

    Philosophy

    Tenri University aims to realize a society in which diverse people help each other, and everyone’s life is happy and fulfilled. Since its founding in 1925, the University has provided educational programs that contribute to the “spirit of selfless service” that is essential to its realization. And now, in an era of rapid change, we recognize once again that the importance of the education that Tenri University is aiming for is increasing. Therefore, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the founding of Tenri University in 2025, we will carry out a reorganization of learning, including a reorganization of the Faculties, in order to widely produce human resources who can contribute to society.

    The Founder of the University

    Shozen Nakayama, The Second Shinbashira

    In 1925, the Second Shinbashira, Shozen Nakayama (1905-1967), founded Tenri University’s predecessor, the Tenri School of Foreign Language, with the intention of fostering Tenrikyo overseas missionaries and cultivating them with a rich international outlook through foreign language education. This was the first private foreign language school in Japan.

    In a cultural climate that had been preoccupied with the acceptance of Western culture, the school focused on neighboring Asia and became the first private school to offer Korean language education. After several reforms, Tenri University was established in 1949.

    Furthermore, the founder studied the history of Christian missionary work in the East, collected many related books, and collected books on cross-cultural studies for students. The result of these efforts was the birth of the affiliated Tenri Central Library, which boasts both quality and quantity both inside and outside Japan. He also conducted his own research on overseas affairs and collected folklore materials from around the world, which developed into the current Tenri University Sankokan Museum.

    In addition, the Founder was an avid fan of judo, rugby, baseball, and other sports, and contributed to the popularization and promotion of sports in general. In particular, his efforts to have judo adopted as an official sport at the Tokyo Olympics are worthy of special mention.

    The Founder’s foresight and leadership formed the University’s educational basis. Today, the spirit of the Founder is still vividly alive in the educational pursuits of Tenri University.

    • Founder’s Hall (Wakae-no-Ie)

      Donated by the Founder to Tenri University to commemorate its 30th anniversary

      The Founder’s Hall (Wakae-no-Ie) stands to the southwest of Hall No. 1 on the Somanouchi Campus. This Taisho Roman western-style building was built in the spring of 1924 as the “Superintendent Public Study Room” when the University’s Founder Shozen Nakayama, the second Shinbashira of Tenrikyo, was a student at the former Osaka High School. It was later donated to Tenri University in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of its founding.
      　This building was located on the grounds of the Tenrikyo Osaka Diocese Administration Office in Wakae-mura, Nakakawachi-gun, Osaka Prefecture (present Iwata-cho, Higashi Osaka City). It was preserved even after the second Shinbashira graduated from Osaka High School, and later moved to the Tenri University campus and named “Wakae-no-Ie” after its original location. The　completion ceremony was held on November 23, 1955.

      Founder’s Hall seen from the northeast

      "The birth of the School of Foreign Language has a close relationship with this house."

      Western-style room on the second floor with a Taisho Roman atmosphere

      At the completion ceremony site, the second Shinbashira said:
      This house, in the formal sense of the word, was a handover to the university, but in a sense, it signified a joyous rebirth. I considered this house to be a study house, but at the time, at the Diocese Administration Office it also served as the study for the superintendent. In any case, it was here that I spent my younger years. I have endless memories of this house, but I would like to say just a word to the University. It was in this house that the Young Men’s Association held its first meeting when it established Tenri School of Foreign Language, the predecessor of this university. Therefore, the birth of the School of Foreign Language has a close relationship with this house. For this reason, we wanted to move to this location early on, but we could not take the plunge, partly because we thought, “It is better to build a new house than move that old one.” But frankly speaking, from the standpoint of the truth, it was the right thing to do, and we have now done it, disregarding the costs. As for how to use it, I leave that to the school authorities and have nothing to say. What I ask is that you use this house to everyone’s satisfaction and pleasure. I hope that you will use this house with love and care for many years to come.” (from “Tenri University 50th Anniversary Magazine”)

      Opened as the Founder’s Hall to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Founder’s birth

      After moving to the University, the building was used as an office, conference room, and dormitory for exchange students. In 2005, on the 100th anniversary of the birth of the second Shinbashira, the building was reopened as the Founder’s Hall as a building that bears the significance of the “Founding Spirit.” It is a place that should be visited by all students.

      When it was located in Osaka, it was a two-story wooden building with a total floor space of approximately 200 tsubo (approximately 1,860 square meters). It was covered with natural slate and had German walls on the outside. When the building was moved, a basement floor of concrete was added.

      Somanouchi Campus Information and Access

      Founder’s Hall seen from the southwest

    History

    • History　沿革

      1925Tenri School of Foreign Language (coeducational) founded.
      天理外国語学校（男女共学）創設
      1949Tenri University founded.
      天理大学開学
      1967 Tenri Nursing School established
      天理高等看護学院開校
      Tenri School of Medical Technology established.
      天理衛生検査技師学校開校
      2012Tenri Health Care University founded.
      天理医療大学開学
      2023Consolidated with Tenri Health Care University.
      天理医療大学と統合
      2024Departments reorganized into 15 Departments.
      15学科へ再編
      2025The 100th Anniversary of establishment.
      創立100周年

    • History details　沿革詳細

      1925 February 17Tenri School of Foreign Language (coeducational) founded.
      天理外国語学校（男女共学）設立。
      1925 April 15Tenri School of Foreign Language (coeducational) opened.
      天理外国語学校（男女共学）開校。
      1927 December 9Tenri Foreign Language College founded.
      天理外国語学校設立。
      1928 January 12Tenri Women’s School: Tenri School of Foreign Language was
      renamed.
      天理女子学院：従来の天理外国語学校を改称。
      1940 March 15Tenri Women’s College founded.
      天理女子専門学校設立。
      1940 April 2 Tenri Women’s College opened.
      天理女子専門学校開校。
      1944 April 1Tenri Foreign Language College was renamed Tenri Language College.
      Tenri Women’s College was renamed Tenri Women’s Language College.
      天理外国語学校から天理語学専門学校に校名変更。
      天理女子専門学校から天理女子語学専門学校に校名変更。
      1946 April 22Tenri Training School for Kindergarten Teachers founded.
      天理保母養成所設立。
      1946 May 27Tenri Training School for Kindergarten Teachers opened.
      天理保母養成所開所。
      1947 March 31Tenri Women’s Language College closed (consolidated).
      Students relocated to Tenri Language College.
      天理女子語学専門学校廃校（合併）。生徒は天理語学専門学校に編入
      1947 April 1Tenri Language College became coeducational.
      天理語学専門学校が男女共学となる。
      1949 February 21Tenri University founded.
      天理大学設立。
      1949 April 1 Tenri University opened.
      天理大学開学。
      1950 March 14Tenri University Junior College founded.
      天理大学短期大学部設立。
      1950 March 31Tenri Training School for Kindergarten Teachers closed,
      integrated with Tenri University Junior College.
      天理保母養成所廃所。短期大学部による。
      1950 April 1Tenri University Junior College opened.
      天理大学短期大学部開学。
      1950 December 1Tenri University Junior College was renamed Tenri Junior
      College.
      天理大学短期大学部から天理短期大学に校名変更。
      1957 April 1Tenri Junior College was renamed Tenri University Women’s Junior College.
      天理短期大学から天理大学女子短期大学部に校名変更。
      1959 March 31Tenri University Women’s Junior College closed.
      天理大学女子短期大学部廃校。
      1992 April 1The Faculties of Human Studies and International Culture
      Studies established.
      The Department of History and Culture Studies in the Faculty of
      Letters established.
      Three studies in the Department of Budo and Sport
      Studies established.
      人間学部、国際文化学部開設。文学部に歴史文化学科開設。
      体育学部体育学科に3コース制開設。
      2002 AprilCenter for Liberal Arts Education and Research in the Faculty of Human
      Studies opened.
      Center for Language Education and Research and International Center for
      Regional Studies in the Faculty of International Culture Studies established.
      人間学部に総合教育センター、国際文化学部に言語研究センターと地域文化研究センターを設置。
      2002 MarchThe eleven Departments in the Faculty of International Studies were
      reorganized into two Departments—the Department of Asia Studies and the
      Department of Europe and America.
      国際文化学部の11学部を「アジア学科」「ヨーロッパ・アメリカ学科」の
      2学科への改租。
      2004 AprilGraduate School of Clinical Human Studies Graduate Program in
      Clinical Psychology (Master’s Course) established.
      大学院臨床人間学研究科臨床心理学専攻（修士課程）を開設。
      2010 AprilThe Department of Asia Studies and the Department of Europe and
      America in the Faculty of International Culture Studies were reorganized as the Department of Foreign Languages and the Department of Area Culture Studies in the Faculty of International Studies. The Faculty of Budo and Sport Studies expanded from three studies to five studies.

      国際文化学部「アジア学科」「ヨーロッパ・アメリカ学科」を国際学部
      「外国語学科」「地域文化学科」に改組。
      体育学部の3コース制を5コース制に拡充。
      2015 AprilThe Graduate School of Physical Education Studies, Graduate
      Program in Physical Education (Master’s Course) and
      Spanish/Brazilian-Portuguese Language Studies of the Department of Foreign
      Languages, Faculty of International Studies opened.
      大学院体育学研究科体育学専攻（修士課程）と国際学部外国語学科
      スペイン語・ブラジルポルトガル語専攻を開設。
      2017 AprilThe Graduate School of Religion and Culture Studies, Graduate Program in Religion and Culture Studies opened.
      The Japanese Language Major, Department of Foreign Languages, Faculty of International Studies was reorganized as the Japanese Studies Course, Department of Area Cultural Studies.
      大学院宗教文化研究科宗教文化研究専攻（修士課程）を設置。
      国際学部国語学科日本語専攻を地域文化学科日本研究コースに改組。

    Tenri University Vision 2025

    Tenri University was founded in 1925 as Tenri School of Foreign Language and will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2025. Inheriting the Founding Spirit, Tenri University declared “Tenri University Vision 2025” as a guide to further enhance education, research, and student support, and to become a university that can meet the demands of society.

    The Founding Spirit

    Based on the teachings of the Foundress of Tenrikyo (Oyasama), the University’s mission is to nurture people who will contribute to the construction of the “Joyous Life” world.

    The kind of people Tenri University aims to nurture

    People who, based on their unwavering faith, have an understanding of diverse values and knowledge of the current state of the world, actively contribute to others, and are able to think and act toward the realization of a society in which people can live together.

    Philosophy and Mission

    １９２５年に創設された天理大学は、２０２５年、創立100周年を迎える。

    この１世紀にわたる時間の中で、本学は社会状況の変化に対応しながら、 建学の精神を揺るがすことなく、ここ天理の地で社会において 有意な人物の育成に取り組んできた。

    本学が存在する意義・使命は、建学の精神にある 「『陽気ぐらし』世界建設に寄与する人材の養成」である。

    これを現代社会において言い換えるなら、 あふれかえる情報とたえまない環境変化のなかで、思想や宗教などの 精神文化への知識と理解をもとに、他者に貢献する心を持ち、 自らの信念のもと、自分が何をなすべきかを主体的に判断し、 能動的に行動のできる人間を育成することにある。

    このような社会のなかでは、精神文化をはじめとする 異文化への理解と寛容さは、重要な資質としてますます重要視されている。
    さらに、人を思い、人に寄り添うことのできる利他的な志を持つ人間も、 近年の大きな災害を経験した今こそ、社会で重要な役割を担っている。

    そのような思いを備える人間が今日の社会を支え、積極的に活躍すること が求められている。それは本学の「宗教性」「国際性」「貢献性」という 三つの柱と見事に合致する。

    創立100周年を迎える２０２５年に向けて、建学の理念を基盤に、 新たな時代の要請に適確に応えうる大学を実現し、 未来を拓くことのできる人物を育成する。

    1．About Education

    基本方針

    「育成する人間像」を基盤に、自分が何をなすべきかを主体的に判断し、能動的に行動のできる人間を育成する。そのために、教育の内部質保証システムを整備し機能させることによって、教養教育ならびに専門的教育の質および教育方法を継続的に点検・改善し、教育力を向上・強化する。

    行動目標

    • 学位授与方針に沿って教育課程の目標を明確化し、具現化することによって教育力を強化する
    • 「宗教性」はもとより、「国際性」「貢献性」を涵養する教育をさらに促進する
    • 高大連携・接続の強化をはかることで、教育効果を向上させる
    • 内部質保証システムのＰＤＣＡサイクルを機能させ、教育内容および教育力向上に資する環境を整備する

    2．About Student Support 学生支援について

    基本方針

    学生が個人の特性を活かしつつ、学生生活において学習やクラブ活動などに積極的に取り組むことができ、将来、社会において主体的主導的に活躍できる礎となる時間と場所を提供する。そのため、大学として学生の学習・生活支援を目的とした組織や制度を充実する。

    行動目標

    • 学生の修学目標が達成できるように、学習支援体制をさらに整備・強化する
    • 学生の就業力向上に資する教育および就業の支援体制を強化する
    • 修学の基盤となる学生生活について、奨学金制度等の整備も含めて支援体制を強化する

    ３．About Research Support 研究支援について

    基本方針

    確かな教育力の基盤は、優れた研究（力）にあるとの考えから、外部研究資金の獲得を含む、研究支援体制を強化する。さらに、研究プロセスを明示化するとともに、研究成果を積極的に公表し、研究の発信力を高める。

    行動目標

    • 海外協定校との学術交流も含めて、研究活動の国際連携を強化する
    • 研修休暇制度の整備による、研究力強化をめざす
    • 研究プロセスの明示公開を進めるとともに、研究成果の発信力を強化する

    4．About Social Cooperation 社会連携について

    基本方針

    学問の自由を堅持しつつ、社会的公器である大学として、学術研究および教育の成果を積極的に社会に還元していく。さらに、教育・研究の向上や高度化に資するよう、教育界、地域社会、地方自治体、産業界の諸機関との連携を推進し、社会から支持される大学を実現する。

    行動目標

    • 現職教員や学校・教育委員会等との連携をさらに強化し、教員養成機関としての資質を強化する
    • 地域団体・地方自治体との連携強化による、地域社会の活性化を支援する
    • 産業界との連携強化も含めて、産官学連携による社会貢献活動を積極的に進める

    5．About Management and Operation System 管理運営体制について

    基本方針

    学長を中心とした執行部を補佐し、教学マネジメントに必要な情報の収集・分析・課題を検討するためのＩＲ体制を強化する。さらに現行の教学意思決定システムのもと、より迅速かつ着実に執行できる大学運営組織を構築するとともに、併せてＳＤ（職能開発）活動を計画的に実施する。

    行動目標

    • 学長・執行部補佐体制を整備・強化する
    • 教職協働体制の構築を含む、事務部局体制を再構築する
    • ＳＤを積極的に推進し、教職員の資質の向上と組織の現場力を強化する
    • 安心安全な教育研究環境を提供するために、施設設備の計画的整備・改善を進める
    • 教育研究環境を安定して支えるため、財務基盤を強化する

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