Saga Prefectural Chienkan Junior & Senior High School

On March 27, 1987, the site for Chienkan was purchased from the Saga Prefectural Estate Development Public Corporation. Building of the school was completed in March 1988 and the school was officially established on April 1, 1988. On April 8, Chienkan celebrated its opening and entrance ceremony. The first principal of Chienkan was Mr. Uchikawa Kazumi¹.

Chienkan Junior High School was established on December 1, 2002. Mr. Morinaga Kazuo was appointed as the first principal. The official opening of Chienkan J.H.S. was on April 1, 2003.

In the years preceding the Meiji Restoration, Japan was populated by a multitude of clans. Within this feudal society, the Saga Clan prospered. Its people set up a number of schools to lead the way in the great changes that would soon sweep Japan.

One of these schools was called "Chienkan". In 1867, Nabeshima Naomasa, lord of the Saga Clan, founded Chienkan in Nagasaki. Nabeshima's graduates played an important role in the political and economic backdrop to the Meiji revolution, and considered it their urgent business to implement Western thoughts and sciences in Japan.

So the original Chienkan School became a place for progressive Western learning, especially that of the English language. Many ambitious young people were drawn to this exciting academic center, where they studied subjects from technology to economics to legislation.

The word "Chien" has several meanings: "To make one's ambition lofty." "To invite people from distant places." "To go far." "Chien" is a noble and evocative word. It conjures images of adventure and discovery, of progress and innovation.

Today's Chienkan strives to actualize the values embodied in its name. The school believes that the dreams and ambitions of the first Chienkan School can be found in its namesake, and are more pertinent than ever. The name was chosen because the school hopes that it will continue the proud tradition of that name far into the future¹.

• Cultivate: Cultivate your mind.
• Create: Create your own self.
• Challenge: Challenge your limits.

The Kanji, 高, at the center of the school badge means a senior high school and the five redial C's around it are the initials of "Cultivate", "Create", "Challenge", "Character" and "Cosmopolitanism".