Akita Prefecture(7)

Pioneers in Akita

Various people contributed to building the foundations for art, culture, industry and society in Akita.
	Pioneer Developer of Lake Towada Wainai Sadayuki (1858-1922), born in Kazuno City While working for Towada Mining, Sadayuki initiated fish farming in Towadako (Lake Towada), which was not inhabited by fish at the time. He started in 1884 by releasing 600 salmon fry into the lake, but his efforts failed. In 1903, after many attempts, he released 50,000 trout fry as a last resort, and two years later the majority of them returned. After 22 years, he was finally successful. He continued to devote his life to Towadako by completing Wainai Towadako Hotel in 1916, and he also initiated the campaign to make the lake a national park. When he died he was enshrined with his wife Katsu at Wainai Shrine by the lake in recognition of his great achievements.
	Saint Farmer of Meiji Ishikawa Rikinosuke (1845-1915), born in Akita City Loved learning since childhood. Married and was adopted by his wife's family, the Ishikawa. Showed great talent in reviving the family's business, and was subsequently requested by Akita Prefecture to work as an expert on agriculture. Gave guidance to the local farmers on areas such as the improvement of rice quality, and the establishment of a system of seed exchange. Resigned in 1883 to help save his village from severe financial trouble and, having paid back all the debts within five years, became famous nationwide. A record of his seven-year survey of two prefectures illustrates the farming ideal he had in mind.
	Great Oilman Yamashita Taro (1889-1967), born in Omori Town A billionaire by the age of 28 following his invention of Oburato (rice film), he joined the railroad project in Manshu (Manchuria) in 1922, and was widely known as "Manshu-Taro". Made handsome donations to his hometown Omori, including Yamashita Hall, a cultural establishment. After the war, to contribute to the nation, he beat strong competition to win oil concession in the Persian Gulf, and soon struck a first class well. In commemoration of the 100th year since his birth, the Yamashita Foundation was established to financially assist students and researchers.
	Contributor to the Development of Science and Technology Saito Kenzo (1898-1970), born in Nikaho Town Established Tokyo Denkikagaku Kogyo K.K. (now TDK) in 1935, and made the first ferrite core (ferromagnetic), which was then high technology. Built a factory in Nikaho Town in 1940. After the war, he became a Member of Parliament, and contributed to the development of science and technology by serving as the State Secretary of the Economic Planning Agency and as the Chairman of the Science and Technology Development Committee. In 1972, the Saito Kenzo Scholarship was established to provide financial aid to local schools for science education.
	Composer of Hamabe-no-uta (Song of the Beach) Narita Tamezo (1893-1945), born in Moriyoshi Town Entered the Tokyo Music Academy in 1914. Received tutoring from Yamada Kosaku, and composed Hamabe-no-uta. At a time when western songs and records were popular with the public, he wrote the well-known Kanariya (Canary). The inspiration for this song was Suzuki Miekichi, who produced Akaitori (Red Bird), the magazine of fairy tales and children's songs. After completing a period of study in Germany, he worked to popularize the composition techniques and rounds he had learned there.
	Pioneer Explorer of the Antartic Shirase Nobu (1861-1946), born in Konoura Town Since his childhood, Nobu wished to become an explorer. In preparation for exploration to the Arctic, he joined twice the Kurils Exploring Expedition. However, he changed his target to the Antarctic, learning that the American explorer Peary succeeded in his expedition to North Pole. In 1910, his party of 27 members sailed out from Shibaura Port on board the Kainan Maru, a wooden ship of 204 tons. In 1912, they reached to as far as the point of 80 degrees and 5 minutes south latitude, and named the vast snowfield around them Yamato Yukihara (Yamato Snowfield). All members of the expedition returned safely to Shibaura after a voyage of one year and seven months, having covered as long as 58,000 kilometers.

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