Fujiwara Sakuhei

Meteorologist. Born in Suwa, Nagano Prefecture. Graduated from the Department of Theoretical Physics at Tokyo Imperial University in 1909 (Meiji 42), he became a technician at the Central Meteorological Observatory in 1911, and began research on anomalous sound wave propagation in the atmosphere the following year. In 1920 (Taisho 9), he received the Japan Academy Prize for this research. In the same year, he studied abroad in Norway, and worked on pioneering polar front theory under V. Bjerknes. He later went to England and conducted experimental research on vortices. In 1922, he became head of the Meteorological Technician Training Institute attached to the Central Meteorological Observatory (the precursor to the Meteorological College), in 1924 he became a professor at Tokyo Imperial University, and in 1926 he became a member of the Earthquake Research Institute. In 1928 (Showa 3), he became head of weather forecasting at the Meteorological Observatory, and in 1941 he became director of the Central Meteorological Observatory. However, he was banned from public office in 1947 (Showa 22), and thereafter he devoted himself to writing. His many books include "Clouds," "Atmospheric Physics," "Meteorological Optics," "Experiments on Vortices," "History of Meteorology in Japan," and many other enlightening works. His theory of vortex motion, which he continued to research throughout his life, is well known.

[Nemoto Junkichi]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

気象学者。長野県諏訪(すわ)に生まれる。1909年（明治42）東京帝国大学理論物理学科を卒業し、1911年中央気象台技手となり、翌年から大気中における音波の異常伝播(でんぱ)の研究を始め、1920年（大正9）この研究で学士院賞を受賞した。同年ノルウェーに留学、V・ビャークネスのもとで極前線論の開拓に従事、のちイギリスに渡り、渦巻の実験研究を行った。1922年中央気象台附属測候技術官養成所（気象大学校の前身）主事、1924年東京帝国大学教授、1926年地震研究所所員、1928年（昭和3）気象台の天気予報の主任となり、1941年には中央気象台台長となったが、1947年（昭和22）公職追放となり、以後もっぱら執筆活動を続けた。著書には『雲』『大気物理学』『気象光学』『渦巻きの実験』『日本気象学史』ほか啓蒙(けいもう)的なものも多い。生涯研究を続けた渦動(かどう)論はよく知られている。

［根本順吉］

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