Former Shiga Elementary School
I visited Shiga Elementary School again the other day, a school that closed in 1990.
In the foreground is a stone monument that marks the site of Shiga Elementary School, and to the left is a monument erected in 1973 to commemorate the school’s centennial.
I was not able to participate in the event, but in November last year, the “Volunteers’ Group for Preservation and Utilization of Former Shiga Elementary School” organized a “Tour and Cleaning Event of the Former Shiga Elementary School”. On the day of the event, a curator from the Cultural Promotion Division of Saku City gave an explanation of the building.
The entrance of the south school building.
The interior was photographed from the entrance.
This entrance was probably used by the staff and visitors.
I think it was thanks to the cleaning during the event, it was pleasant to see no dust on the floor.
I walked around the school grounds while admiring the cherry blossoms.
No one was using the school grounds that day.
The north school building does not appear to have changed in any particular way.
Passing between the school buildings, I look at the north school building from the east.
The oldest school building is also just as I remember it.
It is said to be a relocated version of the old Shijin School built in 1873. It is the oldest building on the school grounds.
The roof was probably replaced later, so it is probably not the original building.
As it looks like this when we get close to it, I don’t think it will be used in the future.
The south school building as seen from the road on the east side.
The site is probably mowed regularly and does not look neglected.
The south side of the school building was a construction-related vehicle yard when I visited last year, but the construction-related items are gone.
Instead, it had been used as a storage area for trees that had been cut down.
When I came here before, the locals were allowed to get the cut trees freely, and I thought this is the same thing.
But I wonder where these trees used to grow. I didn’t get the impression that the trees on the school grounds had been reduced.
This photo was taken closer to the south school building.
This entrance is the part seen in the center in the photo above.
The south school building has this ornament attached to the eaves.
What is this fringe decoration called? I guess it is a bargeboard.
Finally, the school building as seen from the road.
I don’t know how the school building will be utilized, but hopefully it will be maintained in the future.
I recently learned that the Saku City Citizen Activity Support Center (a.k.a. SakuSAPO) has an Instagram page, and it announces events in Saku City.
I later learned that the former Shiga Elementary School’s event information was also posted there, so I followed it so that I would be aware of the next event.
I have expectations for the activities of the Volunteers’ Group for Preservation and Utilization of Former Shiga Elementary School.