Tanaka Akamaro

A pioneer of limnology and limnology in Japan. Born in the Owari clan residence in Tsukiji, Tokyo. At about the age of 10, while climbing Mount Fuji, he was inspired to study the five lakes below. In 1884 (Meiji 17), he accompanied his father Fujimaro, who was appointed as Japanese envoy to Italy, to Europe, passing through Italy, Switzerland, and France, before completing his degree in geography at the University of Brussels in Belgium. He returned to Japan in 1895. In 1899, he created a contour map of Lake Yamanaka and observed water temperature, marking the first modern limnology and limnology research in Japan. For the next 20 years, he conducted scientific surveys of major lakes and ponds throughout the country almost single-handedly. In 1931 (Showa 6), he became the first president of the Japanese Society of Limnology. He lectured on geography and limnology at the Peerage Girls' School, Waseda University, Takushoku University, Kyoto University, and the Fisheries Training Institute (later Tokyo University of Fisheries, now Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology), and worked to popularize limnology. His books include "Studies on Lakes and Marshes" (1930), "Studies on Lake Suwa" (1918), "Studies on Lake Nojiri" (1926), "Studies on Lakes in the Northern Japanese Alps" (1930), "Lakes," and "Lakes of the Matsubara Lake Group."

[Hiroshi Ishiyama]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

日本における湖沼学・陸水学の開拓者。東京・築地(つきじ)の尾張(おわり)藩邸に生まれる。10歳ごろ富士登山の際、眼下の五湖に強い研究欲をそそられた。1884年（明治17）駐伊公使として赴任する父不二麻呂(ふじまろ)に従いヨーロッパへ渡り、イタリア、スイス、フランスを経て、ベルギーのブリュッセル大学で地理学を修めた。1895年帰国。1899年の山中湖の等深線図作成・水温観測は日本最初の近代湖沼学・陸水学研究であった。以後20年間ほとんど独力で全国の主要湖沼を科学的に調査した。1931年（昭和6）日本陸水学会初代会長。華族女学校や早稲田(わせだ)、拓殖、京都の各大学、水産講習所（のち東京水産大学。現、東京海洋大学）で地理学や湖沼学を講じ、湖沼学の普及に努めた。著書に『湖沼の研究』（1930）、『諏訪(すわ)湖の研究』（1918）、『野尻(のじり)湖の研究』（1926）、『日本北アルプス湖沼の研究』（1930）、『湖』、『松原湖群の湖沼』などがある。

［石山　洋］

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例