Koku Hyakunichi-sai

Festival highlights

Its defining feature was that classmates whose graduation was about 100 days away gathered together to mark the milestone with songs and a meal.

Records describe classmates singing class songs and the Hyakunichi-sai song, taking part in military song exercises, and sharing a meal.

Another point of interest is that a military song created specifically for airmen was passed down in connection with memories of the event.

An aviation celebration marking the 100 days before graduation with class songs and resolve

What to expect

What can be confirmed about the event is that, about 100 days before graduation, classmates gathered in the dining hall, sang class songs and the Hyakunichi-sai song, shared a meal, and took part in military song exercises.

Before graduation from the main course, celebrations to recognize their long training and mark their impending farewell were sometimes held, as they were before graduation from the preparatory course.

Location and access

Host prefecture Tokyo Metropolis

This map shows the surrounding area, not the exact venue location.

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Origins and History of Koku Hyakunichi-sai

Hyakunichi-sai is described as a celebratory banquet for students, held about 100 days before graduation at institutions such as the Imperial Japanese Army Preparatory Academy.

The custom was also continued at the Imperial Japanese Army Air Academy, where students in the 55th class created a song specifically for airmen in 1941.

Nobuaki Umeoka wrote the lyrics and Masaya Kayumi composed the music; the song is said to have become established among classes from the 56th onward.

Koku Hyakunichi-sai at a Glance

Koku Hyakunichi-sai is a name associated with a banquet marking a milestone before graduation at the Imperial Japanese Army Air Academy, and with the military song that emerged from it.

Class songs, a meal, and military song exercises expressed appreciation for the training and a sense of farewell.