His Majesty Emperor Showa (Hirohito) [1901–1989]—The First of Three Generations of Imperial Biologists

Abstract

Emperor Showa (Hirohito), the pioneer of the Imperial Biologists, was interested in both history and biology in his childhood. For some reason, he selected biology as his permanent focus. His specialty was the taxonomy of hydrozoans and slime molds, but he also collected many marine animals and land plants. He published his own original papers, including two large monographs on hydrozoans mainly collected in Japan, and co-authored several books on plants at Nasu and Suzaki, where the Imperial Villas are situated. In addition, a number of different monographs, each edited by a specialist, have been published concerning the animals collected by the Emperor in Sagami Bay. The same was done in regard to his original papers on slime molds. His research work continued throughout his reign, except for a short period of time during World War II. He was truly a genuine scientist. Empress Kojun (Nagako) also assisted his research by preparing or sorting specimens of shells, seaweeds, ferns, etc.