Shizuo Matsuoka (松岡 静雄, Matsuoka Shizuo, May 1, 1878 – May 23, 1936) was a Japanese naval officer, linguist, and ethnologist.

Shizuo Matsuoka
松岡 静雄
Born
Shizuo Matsuoka

(1878-05-01)May 1, 1878
DiedMay 23, 1936(1936-05-23) (aged 58)
Fujisawa, Kanagawa
NationalityJapanese
Occupation(s)Naval Officer, Linguist, Ethnologist
Known forKiki Ronkyu:Gaihen
Nihon Kogo Daijiten
SpouseHatsuko Nomura
Parent(s)Yakusai Matsuoka (father)
Yasushi Nomura (father-in-law)
Japanese name
Hiraganaまつおか しずお
Shinjitai松岡静雄
Transcriptions
RomanizationMatsuoka Shizuo

Biography

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Born in Tsujikawa, Tahara-mura, Shinto-gun, Hyogo (now part of Fukusaki, Hyogo), the seventh of eight children to physician Yakusai Matsuoka. He is the younger brother of noted Japanese scholar Kunio Yanagita. It was said that his mother dreamed of watching the sunset, and the halo lit around the sunset and looked like a military flag, saying, "This child is likely to be a soldier".[1][2]

Shizuo would graduate from Imperial Japanese Naval Academy (25th class) and commissioned an ensign in the Imperial Japanese Navy in February 1899. During the Russo-Japanese War, he served aboard Chiyoda as Operations Officer and participated in the Battle of Tsushima. Following the war, he served aboard Chitose, as Chief of Staff for the 2nd Fleet, and Chief of Staff for Imperial General Headquarters.[3][4]

In September 1909, Shizuo was assigned to the Japanese Embassy in Austria-Hungary as military attaché. Upon his return to Japan, he served as executive officer aboard Iwate, Asahi and Tsukuba. In December 1916, he promoted to captain, and assigned to Yokosuka Naval District as Director of the Navy Ministry's Library. In December 1918, he transferred to a reserve role and retired in May 1921.[5]

Following his retirement, Shizuo moved to Kugenuma, Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture. He survived the Great Kanto Earthquake that devastated the area in 1923 and assisted in the clean-up efforts. He would take command of the Navy Gunboat Yūnagi, escorting the remains of Prince Moromasa back to Tokyo.[6]

After the earthquake, Shizuo would settle on the west coast of Kugenuma, studying linguistics and folklore, publishing numerous books on the history of the Japanese language and the languages of Oceania.[7]

Family

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Shizuo (front left), with his brothers Teruo, Kunio, & Kanae. Kanae's son Fuyuki in front.

Shizuo was seventh of eight children. The oldest brother, Kanae, would follow in their father's footsteps and become a doctor. Brothers Yasuzo (Michiyasu Inoue) and Kunio (Yanagida) would be adopted by other families and become authors as well. Shizuo would marry Aiko Inajiro, who would pass shortly after their marriage. Shizuo would then go on to marry Hatsuko Nomura, the daughter of Viscount Yasushi Nomura. Shizuo and Hatsuko would have 4 children, 3 daughters and one son, Iwaki Matsuoka (1919-1995), who would go to become a professor at Hosei University in Business Administration.

Honors

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30 November 1907 - Lower-Sixth Court Rank (ja:従六位)
10 February 1913 - Upper-Sixth Court Rank (ja:正六位)
28 December 1916 - Bottom-Fifth Court Rank (ja:従五位)

Bibliography

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Palm cultivation method, Agriculture Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce, 1915
Tentative letter method, History of Naval Military Command, 1915
The Secret of Nanki, Shunyodo, 1917
Japanese-Language Dictionary, Japan-Netherlands Traffic Research Committee, 1918
Dutch-Japanese Dictionary, Japan-Netherlands Traffic Research Committee, 1921
Tsumirei History, Iwanami Shoten, 1924
• Lecture on popular grammar, Kokubunshoin, 1925
A Study of the Middle Class, Juei-kaku, 1925
Pacific Ethnography, Oka Shoin, 1925
Japanese Linguistics, Toue Shoin, 1926
Study of Chamorro, Local Research Institute, 1926
Traditional Japanese Magazine, Toue Shoin, 1926
Harima Fudoki Monogatari, Toe Shoin, 1927
Micronesian Ethnography, Oka Shoin, 1927[8]
Eastern songs and guard songs from ethnology, Ookayama Shoten, 1928
Hitachi Fudoki Monogatari, Toe Shoin, 1928
Study of Central Caroline, Local Research Institute, 1928
Japan National Athletic Book, Council for Compilation of Japanese National Athletic Book, 1928
• The Japanese Dictionary of Ancient Languages, Volume 1 (Language) and Volume 2 (Kunen), Toue Shoin, 1929[9]
Study of Marshall Language, Local Research Institute, 1929
Research on Palau, Local Research Institute, 1930
Language Studies and Teaching Methods in Secondary School, 1930
Singing Studies, Emerging Society Press, 1930
Kikiron Kyodai Hen 1 Genesis, Emerging Society of Japan, 1930
Study of Bonapée, Local Studies, 1930
Kikiron Kyokushindai 2 Nissho Nison, Dobunkan, 1931
Kikiron Kyodai Hen 3 Takamagahara, Dobunkan, 1931
Kikiron Kyushindai Hen 4 Izumo Densetsu, Dobunkan, 1931
Kikiron Kishindai 5 Kokusai, Dobunkan, 1931
Kikiron Kyokushindai 6 Takachiho Period, Dobunkan, 1931
Study of Yap", Local Research Institute, 1931
Kikiron Kunitachi Hen 1 Emperor Jinmu, Dobunkan, 1931
Kikiron Kunitachi Hen 2 Yamato Missing History, Dobunkan, 1931
Kikiron Kenkyukuhen 3 Shikimiya, Dobunkan, 1931
Kikiron Kikoku Hen 4th Daikan, Dobunkan, 1932
Kikiron Kunitachi Hen 5 Domestic Unity, Dobunkan, 1932
Kikiron Kenkyukokuhen 6 Gaiden Repatriation, Dobunkan, 1932
Iyo Ueshiro History Isono Shrine, Local Research Institute, 1932
Kikiron Outer Part Ancient Kayo (upper and lower), Dobunkan, 1932
National Language and Ethnic Thought, Part 1, 1933
Manyo Shukyu, Part I, Ryukasha, 1934
National Language and Ethnic Thought, Part 2, 1934
Japanese Language and Ethnic Thought, Part 3 (Japanese Language Education Correction), 1934
Manyo Shuron, Part 2, Ryukasha, 1934, Educational Publishing Center, 1986
Japanese Language and Ethnic Thought, Part 4 (Essays on Essays), 1934
Japanese Language and Ethnic Thought, Part 5 (Grammar), 1935
Simplified literature, 1935
Comprehensive Study of Micronesian Language, Iwanami Shoten, 1935
Arita Engai and Guardians, Mizuho Shoin, 1935
Kagura-sha Auditorium, Shonan Japanese Language Studies, Vol. 1-9, 1935-1936
A Study on National Attitudes, Jiji Shimpo, 1936 (published after his death)
New Hen Japanese Dictionary, Toe Shoin, 1937
Enlarged Japanese Dictionary of Ancient Languages, Toe Shoin, 1937
Kaguradai Silent Language Book Review, 1938
Japanese endemic religion, Toue Shoin, 1938
Shizuo Matsuoka's Diary in Europe, edited by Yoshihiko Nakamura, Yamakawa Publishing, 1982

References

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  1. ^ "Shizuo Matsuoka". Kunio Yanagita and the Matsuoka Family Museum. Retrieved 2020-02-13.
  2. ^ Noguchi, Kikuko (1975). Suno no Iro. Hosei University Press.
  3. ^ Hata, Ikuhiko (2005). Japanese Army and Navy Encyclopedia. University of Tokyo Press.
  4. ^ Matsushita, Yoshio (1963). Nihon gunji shi shsho (Japanese Military History). Tsuchiya Shoten.
  5. ^ Official Gazette No. 1324 - Appointment and Resignation. Imperial General Headquarters 大本営. December 29, 1916.
  6. ^ "Monument at Kugenuma tells of the damage caused by the Great Kanto Earthquake". Sankei Shinbun. 2019-05-15.
  7. ^ "Shizuo Matsuoka 1878-1936". OCLC Worldcat Identities. Retrieved 2020-02-13.
  8. ^ Yamamoto, Matori. "Pacific Islands Studies in Japan" (PDF). Academia Sinica. Retrieved 2020-02-13.
  9. ^ Yamagiwa, Joseph (1961). Japanese language studies in the Shōwa period. University of Michigan Library.