The World's Greatest Japanese » great people

Fujita Tetsuya, Mr. Tornado, invented the scale for tornadoes

yoshi — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 03:01:06 +0000

In 1971, Fujita Tetsuya (藤田哲也), a professor at the Chicago University invented the index: “Fujita scale (F scale),” which measures the wind velocity of tornadoes in the United States. More than one thousand tornadoes a year are recorded globally and 3/4 of them are seen in the United States.
Tetsuya’s index became an international standard.
Moreover, he discovered the downburst (a descending jet stream) in 1975 and saved a lot of lives.

When he passed away at the age of 78 in 1998, the news conveyed great appreciation for him. Those who met him expressed their respects. Some comments included: “Meeting with him was equivalent to meeting with the Pope for me. His influence on a rainstorm science is immeasurable.” “Perhaps, out of all the people I have met, Fujita is the most uniquely talented. I feel honored to have worked with him.” “He always reached his objective before his competitors. A lot of people got lost halfway through their research; however, Fujita’s report made things clear for them.”

Everyone praised his efficiency and wonderful personality. He took the time to explain his research earnestly and clearly to high school students. He was a good leader and was pleasant and energetic. Though he was not good at doing business, he had genuine originality and creativity to cover such weaknesses. Tetsuya Fujita was well respected.

For a period of time, core alumni members from Northern Kyushu, mainly his old school mates and his pupils of Meiji Vocational School (Kyushu Institute of Technology), took charge of Fujita’s facility, which took up 30 rooms on one floor at Chicago University. They are currently planning on calling the New Kitakyushu Airport “Fujita” for short and to have Fujita Tetsuya Memorial Hall in the airport.

Kaemon Takashima, a businessman who practiced the art of divination and had the first audience with the Emperor Meiji

micchy — Sat, 17 May 2008 21:49:55 +0000

Kaemon Takashima (高島嘉右衛門) became engaged in his family business of lumber trade at the age of 14. He predicted, by his original divination, the major earthquake of the Ansei period that hit Edo (Tokyo) in 1855 (Ansei 2). Although, he made great profit from lumber dealings, a storm saddled him with debt. He, then, took advantage of the difference in the monetary exchange rate and profited from foreigners. Because such dealings were illegal at that time, he was sent to prison. He mastered the art of divination during his six years in prison.

In recognition of his distinguished services, Takashima was the first civilian admitted to the presence of the Emperor Meiji, who deigned to give him three sets of silver cups. Although in 1877 (Meiji 10) he retired from the business world in his mid-forties, he contributed 10,000 yen for naval defense appropriation and was awarded the Fourth-Class Order.

Furthermore, he founded Aichi Cement Corporation (愛知セメント工業), assumed the presidency of Hokkaido Colliery and Railway Co.Ltd. (北海道炭鉱鉄道), ran the development and settlement enterprise in Ishikari and Tokachi, and successively held the post as president of Tokyo Street Railway (東京市街電気鉄道).

He devoted his time to studying divination under the pseudonym of “Donsho.” In 1886 English and Chinese translations of “Takashima Divination” were published and consequently the Takashima Divination was established. It was said that the government officials never failed to consult him about important politics, such as the diplomatic policy regarding Korea. His eldest daughter married Hirobumi Ito’s eldest son. Later in his life, he predicted the Sino-Japanese War and the Russo-Japanese War. He also foresaw Hirobumi Ito’s assassination and the assassin’s name, of which he advised Ito.

In 1914, he died at the age of 83, as he predicted in a memorial tablet.

Yamaoka Tesshu 山岡鉄舟

yuzu — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:14:47 +0000

Yamaoka Tesshu 山岡鉄舟(1836-1888) was an outstanding sword master in the Late Tokugawa Shogunate and the Meiji era, often considered to be the last of the great swordsmen of Japanese martial history. He was also a noted Zen master and an accomplished calligrapher.

Tesshu played an important role in the Meiji Restoration. In 1968, Katsu Kaishu 勝海舟 sent Tesshu as his messenger to Saigo Takamori 西郷隆盛 to negotiate for bloodless transfer of power on behalf of Tokugawa government.

Kano Hogai(狩野芳崖): The Father of Modern Japanese-Style Painting

yuzu — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:22:49 +0000

Kano Hogai 狩野芳崖 (1828-1888) was a 19th century Japanese painter of the Kano School. His “Avalokitesvara as a Merciful Mother 悲母観音” (1888) is acclaimed as the first masterpiece in the development of modern Japanese-style painting.

Together with Okakura Tenshin 岡倉天心, Hogai devoted himself to create a new Japanese painting style, which was rooted in tradition. Earnest Fenollosa (1853-1908), who introduced the wonders of Japanese traditional art to America and the world, became a strong patron of Hogai after meeting him in 1883. He encouraged Hogai to adapt Western pictorial concepts such as linear perspective and modeling in light and shade.

Although he was nominated for a professorship at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts in 1888, he died before the opening of the school.

Kukai (空海): Versatile Genius in Japan

yuzu — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 14:40:58 +0000

Kukai (空海) is one of the intellectual giants in the history of Japan, best known for being the founder of Shingon esoteric Buddhism in Japan. In 804, he went to China and met Master Huiguo (恵果), from whom he received initiation into the lineage of Shingon (真言宗) esoteric Buddhism, and he succeeded his master to become the eighth patriarch.

During his stay in China, Kukai learned Sanskrit and studied Indian Buddhism, as well as the arts of Chinese calligraphy and poetry.

In 806, Kukai returned to Japan with a large number of Buddhist texts many of which were new to Japan. In 816 he began building a monastery on Mount Koya (高野山).

Kukai is also known for his accomplishments and innovations in social welfare, public education, lexicography, language, literature and poetry, literary theory, calligraphy, art, painting, wood-carving, sculpture, music, civil engineering, architecture, etc.

Kukai died in 835 at the age of 61. In 921, he posthumously received from Emperor Daigo (醍醐天皇) and his court, the honorific title, Kobo Daishi (“Great Teacher Who Spread the Dharma” 弘法大師).

ZEN Master Dogen Zenji

yuzu — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 12:38:08 +0000

Dogen(道元)was a prominent Zen master during Kamakura period(1192-1133) in Japan. He introduced Zen to Japan in the form of the Soto school of Zen (曹洞宗) and elaborated the meditation practice of shikan taza (只管打坐)or “just sitting.”

Dogen is world-widely known for his collection of Dharma essays, Shobogenzo (正法眼蔵).

In 1223, at age23, Dogen went to China and dedicated himself to Zen practice. In 1227, he studied with Soto lineage teacher Rujing (如浄)at Tiantong Monastery, where he was verified his enlightenment.

Upon returning to Japan in 1228, Dogen began to expound his understanding of Zen Buddhism through his writing. In 1246, he opened Daibutsu Monastery in Echizen Province northwest of Kyoto and renamed it as Eihei-ji Monastery, which remains one of the two head temples of Soto Zen in Japan.