The People Who Supported The Journal of Japanese Botany Launched by Tomitaro Makino

Abstract

The Journal of Japanese Botany was launched by Tomitaro (often as Tomitarô or Tomitarō) Makino in 1916. Tomitaro Makino (1862–1957), a self-taught botanist, was born in Tosa Province (now Kochi Prefecture) as the elder son of a locally established merchant. He began research on the Japanese flora at the Botanical Institute, the University of Tokyo. Throughout his life he described many new species of vascular plants. At 54 years of age he shifted his focus toward encouraging and supporting amateur and semi-professional botanists in various areas throughout Japan.

Not only in western countries, but also in Japan, botany developed from herbal studies that were based on the use of plants as medicine. In Japan, traditional medical studies extended to the fauna, but they were particularly focused on the flora. Even at the time Makino launched his Journal, the influence of herbal studies was still widespread. Makino provided various news and topics for his readers, not only on botany, but also on herbals. Many of the subscribers were interested in both fields. Makino also targeted and encouraged school teachers, particularly those who were due to take the examination for approval by the Ministry of Education.

Makino was reduced to extreme poverty when he prepared the first issue of the Journal, but he received financial aid from several persons, including Tomoo Oikawa, Hajime Ikenaga, Haruji Nakamura, and Jusha Tsumura. The financial and other support from Jusha Tsumura 1st (1871–1941), the founder of Tsumura Juntendo Inc., was especially important. It was also within the Tsumura Laboratory that Yushiro Kimura established a publishing department to produce the Journal. Through the interests and involvement of Jusha Tsumura the Journal has been able to survive to the present. (View PDF for the rest of the abstract)