Shimoda Toyomatsu
Encyclopedia
born in Iwanai District
, Hokkaidō
, was Japan
's first Chief Scout
, active at the dawn of the Japanese Scouting movement.
His father, , participated in the organization from the Kanezawa han, which developed land to make it suitable for habitation.
After graduating from , he worked as an officer in the army stationed in Japan.
In 1914, during the fall season training of the Seventh Division of the Army, he was asked by Lieutenant General , to set up a youth organization.
In 1916, he founded the .
In 1920, from July 30 to August 7, he participated in the First World Scout Jamboree
, held in London
. The other participants from Japan were Koshiba Hiroshi
and Richard Suzuki. He also met Sir Robert Baden-Powell.
In 1921, he established the ("Japan Stalwart Youth Troop"), and worked as Japan's first Chief Scout, using his own home as the organization's international office.
In 1928, while climbing the Niseko mountain range, he discovered a beautiful marsh
area. Moved by its beauty, he named it , meaning "a marsh where gods and sennin
live."
In 1964, the Japanese Scout Association awarded him the title of .
Iwanai District, Hokkaido
is a district located in Shiribeshi Subprefecture, Hokkaidō, Japan.As of 2004, the district has an estimated population of 22,977 and a density of 61.17 persons per km². The total area is 375.60 km².-Towns and villages:*Iwanai*Kyōwa...
, Hokkaidō
Hokkaido
, formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...
, was Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
's first Chief Scout
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...
, active at the dawn of the Japanese Scouting movement.
His father, , participated in the organization from the Kanezawa han, which developed land to make it suitable for habitation.
After graduating from , he worked as an officer in the army stationed in Japan.
In 1914, during the fall season training of the Seventh Division of the Army, he was asked by Lieutenant General , to set up a youth organization.
In 1916, he founded the .
In 1920, from July 30 to August 7, he participated in the First World Scout Jamboree
World Scout Jamboree
The World Scout Jamboree is a Scouting jamboree of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, typically attended by several tens of thousands of Scouts from around the world, aged 14 to 17....
, held in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. The other participants from Japan were Koshiba Hiroshi
Koshiba Hiroshi
was one of the founders of the Japanese Scouting movement. He was born in Tsuwano-chō in Shimane Prefecture.He graduated from Tsuwano Elementary School...
and Richard Suzuki. He also met Sir Robert Baden-Powell.
In 1921, he established the ("Japan Stalwart Youth Troop"), and worked as Japan's first Chief Scout, using his own home as the organization's international office.
In 1928, while climbing the Niseko mountain range, he discovered a beautiful marsh
Marsh
In geography, a marsh, or morass, is a type of wetland that is subject to frequent or continuous flood. Typically the water is shallow and features grasses, rushes, reeds, typhas, sedges, other herbaceous plants, and moss....
area. Moved by its beauty, he named it , meaning "a marsh where gods and sennin
Sennin
The Japanese term sennin is a loanword from Chinese xiānrén 仙人 "immortal person", known also as xian "immortal; transcendent; genie; mage; djinn; sage; hermit" in Daoism....
live."
In 1964, the Japanese Scout Association awarded him the title of .
Related items
- The Shimoda Toyomatsu Memorial Hall, Kutchan, Abuta DistrictAbuta District, Hokkaidois a district located in Iburi and Shiribeshi Subprefectures in Hokkaidō, Japan.As of 2004, the district has an estimated population of 31,526 and a density of 28.30 persons per km²...
, Hokkaidō