Takematsu Okada

Meteorologist. Born in Fusa (Abiko City), Chiba Prefecture. After graduating from the Department of Physics at Tokyo Imperial University in 1899 (Meiji 32), he joined the Central Meteorological Observatory, and in 1904 (Meiji 37), he became head of the forecast section, and was in charge of forecasting the Battle of Tsushima the following year. In 1920 (Taisho 9), he became director of the Marine Meteorological Observatory (Kobe), and from 1923, he served as the fourth director of both the Central Meteorological Observatory and the Marine Meteorological Observatory. He is known as the father of meteorology and meteorological work in Japan, and is famous for his doctoral thesis, "Baiu-ron," as well as his research on the Japanese climate and the extreme cold in the Tohoku region. He accomplished projects such as nationalizing meteorological offices nationwide, establishing storm warnings and marine observation methods, and also founded the Central Meteorological Observatory's Meteorological Technician Training School (the precursor to the Meteorological College). His books, such as "Lectures on Meteorology" (1908), "Rain" (1916), "Meteorology" (1927), and "Meteorological Instrumentation" (1931), were published many times and had a great influence on later generations. In 1949 (Showa 24), he was awarded the Order of Culture.

[Nemoto Junkichi]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

気象学者。千葉県布佐(ふさ)（我孫子(あびこ)市）に生まれる。1899年（明治32）東京帝国大学物理学科卒業後、中央気象台に入り、1904年（明治37）予報課長となり、翌年の日本海海戦時の予報を担当した。1920年（大正9）海洋気象台台長（神戸）、1923年から第4代中央気象台台長と海洋気象台台長を兼任した。日本の気象学、気象事業の育ての親で、学位論文となった『梅雨(ばいう)論』のほか、日本の気候、東北凶冷の研究などが有名。全国の気象官署の国営化、暴風警報と海洋観測法の確立などの事業を成し遂げ、また中央気象台附属測候技術官養成所（気象大学校の前身）を設立した。著書の『気象学講話』（1908）、『雨』（1916）、『気象学』（1927）、『気象器械学』（1931）などは版を重ね、後進に多大な影響を与えた。1949年（昭和24）文化勲章受章。

［根本順吉］

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