Senji Yamamoto

Biologist and politician of the Taisho and Showa eras. Born in Kyoto City on May 28, 1889. Hanayashiki, a ryokan inn in Uji, was a second home for his family. After studying abroad in Canada, he graduated from Tokyo Imperial University and became a lecturer at Kyoto Imperial University and Doshisha University. In 1928 (Showa 3), he became a member of parliament representing the Labor-Farmer Party and played an active role as a politician for the working class, such as opposing the revision of the Peace Preservation Law, but was stabbed to death by a right-winger on March 5, 1929. Yamamoto pursued "biology" rather than "necrology," that is, the "science of life," and scientifically pioneered the field of sexuality, which had previously been hidden. This did not remain within the framework of the academy, but was directly connected to people's lives. In 1922 (Taisho 11), he launched a birth control movement following the visit of Mrs. Sanger to Japan, and founded the magazine "Birth Control Review" (later renamed "Sex and Society"). He was popular with workers and farmers because of his friendly relationship with them, and was nicknamed "Yamasen." Upon his death, a labor-farmer funeral was held in various places.

[Ryuichi Narita]

"Yamamoto Senji" by Sasaki Toshiji, volumes 1 and 2 (1974, 1976, Shiobunsha / revised edition, 1998, Fuji Publishing)" ▽ "The Complete Works of Yamamoto Senji, 7 volumes (1979, Shiobunsha)" ▽ "Yamasen" by Nishiguchi Katsumi (1959, Chuokoron-Shinsha)"

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

大正・昭和時代の生物学者、政治家。明治22年5月28日京都市に生まれる。宇治の料理旅館「花やしき」は生家の別宅。カナダへ留学後、東京帝国大学を卒業し京都帝国大学、同志社大学の講師となる。1928年（昭和3）労働農民党から代議士となり、治安維持法改悪に反対するなど無産者のための政治家として活躍したが、翌1929年3月5日右翼により刺殺された。山本は「死物学」ならぬ「生物学」、すなわち「生命の科学」を追究、従来隠蔽(いんぺい)されていた性の領域を科学的に開拓した。それはアカデミーの枠内にとどまらず、人々の生活に直結するものであった。1922年（大正11）にはサンガー夫人来日を契機に産児調節運動に乗り出し、雑誌『産児調節評論』（のち『性と社会』と改題）を創刊。労働者や農民に親しく接して人気を博し、「山宣(やません)」の愛称でよばれていた。その死にあたっては各地で労農葬が営まれた。

［成田龍一］

『佐々木敏二著『山本宣治』上下（1974、1976・汐文社／改訂版・1998・不二出版）』▽『『山本宣治全集』全7巻（1979・汐文社）』▽『西口克己著『山宣』（1959・中央公論社）』

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