April 16th marked the 50th anniversary of the erection of the Dr. Clark statue at the Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill in Sapporo.
A commemorative event drew many visitors, each carrying their own “ambition.”
“Boys, be ambitious! The Dr. Clark statue was erected here 50 years ago today.”
An event commemorating the 50th anniversary was held at the Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill in Sapporo.
April 16th was a free admission day, attracting a large crowd.
The Dr. Clark statue was unveiled on April 16, 1976.
It was built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Sapporo Agricultural School, the predecessor of Hokkaido University.
Half a century has passed since then.
The Dr. Clark statue has become a symbol of Sapporo tourism, with the total number of visitors reaching 27.5 million.
The iconic pose with a raised right hand, commonly known as the Clark Pose, has become a staple for tourists.
“What should I write? Even a dream is a dream.”
At the venue, an event called the “Pledge of Ambition” was held, allowing visitors to freely write down their big dreams and hopes.
“I will walk until I’m 100 years old. I’m already 80, you see.”
“I hope to make lots of friends.”
The “Pledges of Ambition” will be kept at the Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill, allowing people to reflect on their dreams anytime.
“My ambition is to become a journalist whose work is remembered even 50 years from now. I will do my best every day to deliver the news.”
The commemorative events will continue until April 19th, with related events planned throughout the year.
May the next half-century also carry the “ambitions” of many people. “Boys, be ambitious!”
Dr. Clark statue
The Dr. Clark statue in Sapporo, Japan, honors William S. Clark, an American agricultural educator who helped establish Hokkaido University (then Sapporo Agricultural College) in 1876. The statue commemorates his famous parting words to his students, “Boys, be ambitious!”, which remain a well-known motto in Japan. Erected in 1926, it stands as a symbol of international exchange and the pioneering spirit of Hokkaido’s development.
Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill
Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill is a scenic park in Sapporo, Japan, famous for its statue of Dr. William S. Clark and the iconic phrase, “Boys, be ambitious.” Developed as a model farm in the late 19th century during Hokkaido’s colonial development, it now offers panoramic views of the city and is a popular spot symbolizing the pioneering spirit of the region’s history.
Sapporo
Sapporo is the capital city of Hokkaido, Japan, founded officially in 1868 during the Meiji era as part of a planned development of Japan’s northern frontier. It is now internationally famous for hosting the 1972 Winter Olympics and its annual Sapporo Snow Festival, which began in 1950. The city’s modern grid layout and its historical beer brewing industry, dating to 1876, reflect its unique development as a center of Hokkaido’s culture and commerce.
Sapporo Agricultural School
The Sapporo Agricultural School was founded in 1876 in Hokkaido, Japan, as the nation’s first modern institution for agricultural education and research, established to support the development of the northern frontier. It was profoundly influenced by its first vice-principal, Dr. William S. Clark, whose parting words, “Boys, be ambitious!” became legendary. The school later evolved into Hokkaido University, one of Japan’s top national universities.
Hokkaido University
Hokkaido University is a prestigious national university located in Sapporo, Japan, founded in 1876 as the Sapporo Agricultural College. It was Japan’s first institution to award bachelor’s degrees and played a pioneering role in introducing modern agricultural and scientific education to the country. Today, it is a comprehensive research university renowned for its expansive, park-like campus and its strengths in fields like agriculture, environmental science, and engineering.
