Masao Kawai (河合 雅雄, Kawai Masao, January 2, 1924 – May 14, 2021) was a Japanese primatologist,[1] who introduced the concept of kyōkan as a means of studying primates in his book Life of Japanese Monkeys (1969).

Masao Kawai
河合雅雄
Masao Kawai in 1961
Born(1924-01-02)2 January 1924
Died14 May 2021(2021-05-14) (aged 97)
EducationPh.D
Alma materKyoto Imperial University
RelativesHayao Kawai (psychologist)
AwardsDuke of Edinburgh Prize, Japan Academy
Scientific career
Fieldsprimatology, Behavioural sciences
InstitutionsKyoto University
Thesisニホンザルの群れ社会に関する実験的研究 (1962)
Academic advisorsKinji Imanishi
Masao Kawai
Japanese name
Kanji河合 雅雄
Hiraganaかわいまさお
Transcriptions
Revised HepburnKawai Masao
Traditional HepburnKawai Masao
Kunrei-shikiKawai Masao
Nihon-shikiKawai Masao

Biography

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Early days and education

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Masao Kawai was born Tamba-Sasayama, Hyōgo prefecture in 1924. He was the third son of seven brothers. He was taken tuberculosis at 9 years of age, and had been absent from Middle School by pleuritis. Due to his health condition, he was out of conscription at the time of Pacific War. He was educated in Niigata High School by his graduation in 1949. After graduation, he entered Kyoto Imperial University. He majored in ethology and behavioural sciences at Faculty of Science under Kinji Imanishi. He graduated from university in 1952.

As a scientist

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Masao became a research assistant of Hyogo Prefectural University of Agriculture in 1952.[2] He continues the study of primatology, especially Japanese macaque, and wrote a dissertation titled "Experimental research to groups of Japanese macaque" (ニホンザルの群れ社会に関する実験的研究).[3] He received Doctor of Science from Kyoto University in 1962.

He moved to Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University as an assistant professor in 1967, and was promoted professor in 1970. He continued work there and retired in 1987.

He died in his home at Tamba-Sasayama in 2021.[4]

Academic contributions

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Honnor

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Relatives

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Notes

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  1. ^ Nakamichi, Masayuki (2021). "Professor Masao Kawai, a pioneer and leading scholar in primatology and writer of animal stories for children". Primates. 62 (5): 677–695. doi:10.1007/s10329-021-00938-2. PMID 34427809. S2CID 237280652.
  2. ^ Hyogo Prefectural University of Agriculture was established in 1949, and absorbed into Kobe University in 1969.
  3. ^ CiNii (dissertations)
  4. ^ Memory of Masao Kawai and Hitoshi Kawai (Medical Association of Niigata City)
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