About the Logo

Our origin, Tohoku Imperial University was established in 1907 as the 3rd Imperial University that comes after University of Tokyo and Kyoto University.　In the opening ceremony song, Tohoku University was celebrated as the light of Tohoku in the image of the Big Dipper which indicates the center of the sky. That is, the Big Dipper has a meaning of searching for steadfast faith like the Pole Star and an idea of being a guide for the public.

This logo, the Big Dipper which is in near the top of the sky in the beginning of summer, has been used since October 1970. However, a name of a designer is unknown. Until now, the 12th President of the University, the 25th Dean Graduate School of Medicine / School of Medicine Prof. Motokawa Kohichi used it for the News Letter for International Students called “The Big Dipper”, School of Law used it for an ornament of official letter, and also some laboratory in Graduate School of Medicine used their own original logo but these never been recognized as a official logo for School of Medicine. Also, birth year of University which is written in logo was various such as; 1817 (birth of Sendai-han Medical School), 1872 (birth of Prefectural Medical Institution), 1915 (birth of Tohoku Imperial University Medical College). Birth of University had been decided officially for1872, through School of Medicine Alumni meeting held in 1972. To present cooperation of instructor, staffs and students in Graduate School of Medicine / School of Medicine, to establish brand image, now we set official design and internal ordinance for its usage. Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine / School of Medicine, the philosophy of the school and the activities based on it will spread all over the world.