Sano Tsunetami
Encyclopedia
Count was a Japanese statesman and founder of the Japanese Red Cross
Society. His son, Admiral Sano Tsuneha
, was a leading figure in the establishment of the Scout Association of Japan
.
(present-day Saga city
, Saga Prefecture
). He studied rangaku (western learning)
under Ogata Kōan, Itō Gemboku, and others, and played a leading role in the creation of a modern navy for the Saga Domain.
After the Meiji Restoration
, Sano was called upon to assist in the formation of the Imperial Japanese Navy
. He accompanied the Japanese delegation to the Paris Exposition of 1867
, and while in Paris
learned of the International Red Cross. He traveled on to the Netherlands
, where he ordered the , and stayed on to supervise its construction and to learn of western shipbuilding techniques, but the image of the Red Cross remained in his memory.
In 1877, Sano created the Hakuaisha, a relief organization to provide medical assistance to soldiers wounded in the Satsuma Rebellion
. This organization became the Japanese Red Cross Society in 1887, with Sano as its first president.
Sano also served in the Genrōin
, as a member of the Privy Council
, and in various government posts. During the 1st Matsukata administration
, he was appointed as Minister of Agriculture and Commerce
.
Before his death, he was awarded with the Order of the Rising Sun
(1st class with Paulownia Blossoms). His grave is at Aoyama Cemetery
in Tokyo.
In 1939, the Japanese government issued a series of four commemorative postage stamps honoring the 75th anniversary of the Red Cross Treaty. A portrait of Sano Tsunetami appears on two of the stamps.
Japanese Red Cross
The ' is the Japanese affiliate of the International Red Cross.The Imperial Family of Japan traditionally has supported the society, with Empress as Honorary President and other royal family members as vice-presidents. Its headquarters is located in Tokyo and local chapters are set up in all 47...
Society. His son, Admiral Sano Tsuneha
Sano Tsuneha
Count was an admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy in World War II. He is also noted for his association with the early Scouting movement in Japan.-Biography:...
, was a leading figure in the establishment of the Scout Association of Japan
Scout Association of Japan
The is the major Scouting organization of Japan. Starting as boys only, the organization was known as the Boy Scouts of Japan from 1922 until 1971, and as Boy Scouts of Nippon from 1971 to 1995, when it became coeducational in all sections, leading to neutral naming...
.
Biography
Sano was born in Saga DomainSaga Domain
Saga Domain was a han, or feudal domain, in Tokugawa period Japan. Largely contiguous with Hizen Province on Kyūshū, the domain was governed from Saga Castle in the capital city of Saga by the Nabeshima clan of tozama daimyō...
(present-day Saga city
Saga, Saga
is the capital of Saga Prefecture, located on the island of Kyūshū, Japan.Saga was the capital of Saga Domain in the Edo period, and largest city of former Hizen Province....
, Saga Prefecture
Saga Prefecture
is located in the northwest part of the island of Kyūshū, Japan. It touches both the Sea of Japan and the Ariake Sea. The western part of the prefecture is a region famous for producing ceramics and porcelain, particularly the towns of Karatsu, Imari, and Arita...
). He studied rangaku (western learning)
Rangaku
Rangaku is a body of knowledge developed by Japan through its contacts with the Dutch enclave of Dejima, which allowed Japan to keep abreast of Western technology and medicine in the period when the country was closed to foreigners, 1641–1853, because of the Tokugawa shogunate’s policy of national...
under Ogata Kōan, Itō Gemboku, and others, and played a leading role in the creation of a modern navy for the Saga Domain.
After the Meiji Restoration
Meiji Restoration
The , also known as the Meiji Ishin, Revolution, Reform or Renewal, was a chain of events that restored imperial rule to Japan in 1868...
, Sano was called upon to assist in the formation of the Imperial Japanese Navy
Imperial Japanese Navy
The Imperial Japanese Navy was the navy of the Empire of Japan from 1869 until 1947, when it was dissolved following Japan's constitutional renunciation of the use of force as a means of settling international disputes...
. He accompanied the Japanese delegation to the Paris Exposition of 1867
Exposition Universelle (1867)
The Exposition Universelle of 1867 was a World Exposition held in Paris, France, in 1867.-Conception:In 1864, Emperor Napoleon III decreed that an international exposition should be held in Paris in 1867. A commission was appointed with Prince Jerome Napoleon as president, under whose direction...
, and while in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
learned of the International Red Cross. He traveled on to the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, where he ordered the , and stayed on to supervise its construction and to learn of western shipbuilding techniques, but the image of the Red Cross remained in his memory.
In 1877, Sano created the Hakuaisha, a relief organization to provide medical assistance to soldiers wounded in the Satsuma Rebellion
Satsuma Rebellion
The was a revolt of Satsuma ex-samurai against the Meiji government from January 29 to September 24, 1877, 9 years into the Meiji Era. It was the last, and the most serious, of a series of armed uprisings against the new government.-Background:...
. This organization became the Japanese Red Cross Society in 1887, with Sano as its first president.
Sano also served in the Genrōin
Genroin
' was a national assembly in early Meiji Japan, established after the Osaka Conference of 1875. It is also referred to as the Senate of Japan, Genrōin being the word used to describe the Roman Senate, and other western legislatures named after it....
, as a member of the Privy Council
Privy Council (Japan)
was an advisory council to the Emperor of Japan that operated from 1888 to 1947.-Functions:Modeled in part upon the Privy Council of the United Kingdom, this body advised the throne on matters of grave importance including:...
, and in various government posts. During the 1st Matsukata administration
Matsukata Masayoshi
Prince was a Japanese politician and the 4th and 6th Prime Minister of Japan.-Early life:...
, he was appointed as Minister of Agriculture and Commerce
Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce
The was a cabinet-level ministry in the government of the Empire of Japan from 1881-1925. It was briefly recreated as the during World War II-History:...
.
Order of the Rising Sun
The is a Japanese order, established in 1875 by Emperor Meiji of Japan. The Order was the first national decoration awarded by the Japanese Government, created on April 10, 1875 by decree of the Council of State. The badge features rays of sunlight from the rising sun...
(1st class with Paulownia Blossoms). His grave is at Aoyama Cemetery
Aoyama Cemetery
is a cemetery in Minato, Tokyo, Japan, managed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. The cemetery is also famous for its cherry blossoms, and at the season of hanami, many people visit.-History:...
in Tokyo.
In 1939, the Japanese government issued a series of four commemorative postage stamps honoring the 75th anniversary of the Red Cross Treaty. A portrait of Sano Tsunetami appears on two of the stamps.