Yusa Kohei

He was a master of equestrianism, known as "Magaki Heikuro of the Showa Period." He was born in Yumoto, Naruko Village, Miyagi Prefecture (Yumoto, Naruko Onsen, Osaki City). Influenced by his upbringing in a horse-breeding region, he joined the military, and in 1917 (Taisho 6) he became an equestrian instructor at the Army Cavalry School, and in 1935 (Showa 10) he became a major general. He participated in the Olympic Games five times, as an athlete, coach, and team leader, starting with the Amsterdam Games in 1928. As a soldier, he had a strong physique and a loud voice. He had good posture, and his taut Kaiser mustache was also known as "Yusa mustache." He had a deep knowledge of horses, and practiced horse riding every day except Sundays, braving wind and rain. He also devoted himself to training the next generation, and his disciple, Lieutenant Nishi Takeichi, won the Olympic Games in Los Angeles (1932) with his beloved horse Uranus. In 1955 (Showa 30), he was awarded the Purple Ribbon Medal.

[Tsuneo Ishii]

"Yusa Equestrianism" by Yusa Kohei (1983, Daiichi Publishing)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

「昭和の曲垣(まがき)平九郎」といわれた馬術の名手。宮城県鳴子(なるこ)村湯元（大崎(おおさき)市鳴子温泉湯元）生まれ。馬産地育ちの影響もあって軍隊に入り、1917年（大正6）陸軍騎兵学校馬術教官、35年（昭和10）陸軍少将となった。オリンピックには1928年のアムステルダム大会から5回、選手、監督、団長として参加している。軍人育ちだけに体はたくましく、声は大きい。姿勢はよく、ぴんと張ったカイゼルひげは別名「遊佐ひげ」といわれていた。馬に関しての造詣(ぞうけい)は深く、日曜を除く毎日風雨をいとわず乗馬の練習をしていた。また後進の育成にも力を注ぎ、オリンピック・ロサンゼルス大会（1932）で、弟子の西竹一(たけいち)中尉が愛馬ウラヌス号で優勝している。1955年（昭和30）紫綬(しじゅ)褒章受章。

［石井恒男］

『遊佐幸平著『遊佐馬術』（1983・第一出版）』

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