NPO CLARK-KAI（English page）
Approved Specified Non-Profit Organization CLARK-KAI
This NPO was founded with the mission of honoring the remarkable achievements of Dr. William Smith Clark and the esteemed Mr. Kyūzō Nakayama. Our goal is to widely share their legacy, uphold their spirit, and preserve their virtues for future generations. To further this vision, we are working to erect a bronze statue of Dr. William Smith Clark on horseback at Shimamatsu-zawa, Kitahiroshima City, the historic site where he bid farewell to his students.
Message from Presiden
Kitahiroshima City, located near Sapporo and New Chitose Airport, blends urban convenience with rich history and nature. Ranked Hokkaido’s most livable city (2014–2016, Survey by Toyo Keizai Inc). Its origins date back to the Meiji era, when 25 households from Hiroshima Prefecture settled. Today, it maintains strong ties with Hiroshima. In 2023, it gained national attention with the opening of a high-tech studium, ES CON FIELD HOKKAIDO, home to the professional baseball team, Nippon-Ham Fighters. Distinguished MLB players Shohei Ohtani, Yu Darvish were used to play as a member of this team.
The city is historically significant as the site where Dr. William S. Clark, first vice principal of Sapporo Agricultural College, bid farewell to students in 1877 with his iconic phrase, “Boys, be ambitious!” “Be a gentleman!” This moment is commemorated at Shimamatsu-zawa, Kitahiroshima City with several monuments.
Kyūzō Nakayama, a key figure in the region, pioneered cold-region rice farming and hosted Dr. Clark before his departure. To preserve this legacy, the NPO Clark-KAI was founded in 2016, working to honor Dr. Clark’s contributions, including a bronze statue of Dr. Clark on horseback project.
We firmly believe that the success of this initiative will strengthen ties of friendship and goodwill between Japan and the United States.
A part of our Activities
Founded in 2016, the NPO Clark-KAI promotes Dr. Clark’s educational ideals and Kyūzō Nakayama’s contributions to cold-region rice farming through lectures, exhibitions, and school talks.
The Statue Dr. Clark on horseback Construction Project
The NPO Clark -KAI promotes Dr. Clark’s educational philosophy. As part of this effort, we are advancing a project to erect the bronze statue of Dr. Clark on horseback in Shimamatsu-zawa, Kitahiroshima City, to eternally convey the spirit of “Boys, be Ambitious!” that he imparted to his students.
This project commemorates the 200th anniversary of Dr. Clark’s birth, the 150th anniversary of Hokkaido University’s founding and the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, with the statue set to be completed in 2026.
About Donation
Eligible Donors
Corporations and individuals who support the purpose of this fund.
Purpose of the Fund
The fund will be used to establish the statue of Dr. Clark on Horseback.
Planned Construction Period
August 2026; Commemorating the 200th anniversary of Dr. Clark’s birth, the 150th anniversary of Hokkaido University’s founding, and the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
Fundraising Goal：33 million yen
Donation Amount
- Corporations: From 50,000 yen per unit (Donations of less than 50,000 yen are gratefully accepted.)
- Individuals: From 3,000 yen per unit
Exclusive Benefits
We will inscribe the names of donors who meet the following conditions on the equestrian statue’s nameplate:
- For companies: Donations of 100,000 yen or more (total amount from crowdfunding and the Ambitious Fund)
- For individuals: Donations of 30,000 yen or more (total amount from crowdfunding and the Ambitious Fund)
Tax Benefits under Japanese tax law
Corporations and individuals (income tax, resident tax, inheritance tax) are eligible for tax benefits. For more details, please inquire through the contact form.
- When making a donation, please provide your name, address, phone number, and bank transfer details using the application form (If you press the donation button, the form will appear.)
- The donation amount will be confirmed based on the deposited amount, and a receipt will be sent by mail.
For Overseas donations, Only Credit card payment
We kindly ask for your support through donations to help bring this project to life a reality. Please click the “Donation” button to contribute to the fund.
※Clicking the “Donation” button will take you to Syncable’s payment form page.
About Shimamatsu-zawa
Located about 45 minutes south of Sapporo, Kitahiroshima City has grown as a bedroom community
On the city’s southern side lies Shimamatsu-zawa, a historic site where Dr. Clark bid farewell to his students in 1877 with the famous words, “Boys, be ambitious!” The area is also the birthplace of cold-climate rice farming, thanks to Kyūzō Nakayama’s successful cultivation of the ‘Akage’ rice variety in 1873, paving the way for Hokkaido’s rice firming.
Dr. Clark and his students
Dr. William S. Clark (1826–1886) was a renowned American educator and scientist who significantly influenced Japan’s modernization. Born in Massachusetts, he studied chemistry and botany in Germany before becoming a professor at Amherst College. He later served as the third president of the Massachusetts Agricultural College, where he pioneered agricultural education.
In 1876, Clark traveled to Japan to become the first vice-principal of Sapporo Agricultural College (now Hokkaido University). Though his stay lasted only eight months, his teachings had a profound impact on his first students, including Shōsuke Satō, Masatake Ōshima, Isami Hiroi and Kingo Miyabe. They later became key figures in Hokkaido’s development and Japan’s education and research. Among his first students, Masatake Ōshima became a renowned educator, mentoring future Prime Minister Tanzan Ishibashi. Other notable second-year students, such as Inazō Nitobe and Kanzo Uchimura, made global contributions.
Dr. Clark also imparted teachings from the Bible, which inspired his students to tirelessly promote Christianity. Their efforts led to the establishment of churches and institutions such as the Sapporo Independent Christian Church, the Sapporo Kita-Ichijō Church, Hokusei Gakuen Junior and Senior High School (a Christian institution), and Tokyo Tokyo Woman’s Christian University.
His parting words at Shimamatsu-zawa, Kitahirosima, “Boys, be ambitious!” became a lasting motto, symbolizing his influence.
Dr. Clark’s colleague and a history of Japanese baseball
In 1873, Albert G. Bates (English teacher of Preliminary Sapporo Agricultural College, in Tokyo), brought a bat and three balls from the United States, teaching students the fundamentals of the game. Two teams of students played, marking the history of baseball in Japan. After his passing, David P. Penhallow, a colleague of Dr. Clark, further encouraged the sport at Sapporo Agricultural College in 1877. Since then, baseball has remained a vital part of Japanese culture. In 2023, Kitahiroshima City gained national attention with the opening of ES CON FIELD HOKKAIDO, highlighting the region’s historical ties to Dr. Clark’s enduring legacy.