Fukushima Yasumasa
Imperial Japanese Army general and governor of Kwantung Leased Territory.
via Wikipedia: Fukushima Yasumasa · see source
Baron Fukushima Yasumasa was a general in the Imperial Japanese Army. Born into a samurai family in Shinano Province, he served as a retainer, studied foreign languages at the Kaisei Gakko, and fought in the Boshin War and Satsuma Rebellion. His quick mind and ability to get along with people earned him an early posting at the Imperial Japanese Army General Staff. He is best known for his epic 14,000-kilometer horseback ride from Berlin to Vladivostok, which made him a Japanese national hero and earned him the Order of the Sacred Treasures, third class. Fluent in ten languages, he also served as Governor-General of Kwantung Leased Territory from 26 April 1912 to 15 September 1914.
Quick Facts
- Honorific prefix
- Baron
- Office
- 2nd Governor-General of the Kwantung Leased Territory
- Monarch
- Meiji; Taishō
- Took office
- 26 April 1912
- Left office
- 15 September 1914
- Predecessor
- Ōshima Yoshimasa
- Successor
- Nakamura Satoru
- Born
- 27 May 1852
Facts from the source article.
Life as a Samurai
Fukushima was born to a samurai family; his father was a retainer to the daimyō of Matsumoto, in Shinano Province (modern Nagano Prefecture). He also became a retainer of Lord Toda Mitsunori. In 1867 he traveled to Edo (later Tokyo) to attend the Kobusho military school for hatamoto located in Tsukiji. During the Boshin War (1868–1869), he saw service as a member of the Matsumoto contingent. In 1869, with Lord Toda, he again traveled to Tokyo and studied foreign languages at the Kaisei Gakko, a school specializing in foreign studies. After graduating the school in 1874, he joined the Ministry of Justice as a civilian personnel and later moved to the Ministry of War. He participated in the government forces in the Satsuma Rebellion (1877). His quick mind and ability to get along well with people earned him a posting at the Imperial Japanese Army General Staff at an early age.
Early foreign travels
During the next years, he traveled extensively, visiting Mongolia in 1879, serving as military attaché to Beijing from 1882–1884. He was a staff officer of the Japanese First Army when the First Sino-Japanese War broke out. After the war, Fukushima visited British India and Burma on an extensive tour from 1886–1887. In 1887, he was promoted to major, and sent as military attaché to Berlin. On this trip in 1892, he was accompanied by Prince Saionji Kinmochi. Fukushima, who spoke 10 languages fluently, was a popular figure in German society during his stay in Berlin. Fukushima made a reputation during his stay in Berlin, for winning all manner of wagers involving feats of arms or physical strength. He later claimed that the reason for his long ride across Russia was a wager made over drinks against some German cavalry majors. (The story is probably an invention, as some historians claim that Fukushima never drank alcohol, and in any case it is not recorded whether or not Fukushima ever collected on the wager). In any case, Fukushima was an admirer of Colonel Burnaby, a British cavalry officer, who had made an epic ride to Khiva in 1874 after receiving word that the Russians had closed the border to Turkistan. Fukushima also shared Burnaby's political views that Russia was the chief enemy of both Great Britain and Japan.
Epic horseback ride
For his return to Japan, he chose to make an epic crossing of two continents on horseback, from Berlin to Vladivostok. The trip took one year and four months, and had as one of its objectives, inspecting the construction of the still under construction Trans-Siberian Railway as well as gathering intelligence of the local infrastructure, command and control, along the way. During this journey, on 1 March 1893 prior to entering Manchuria, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel. The story of his 14,000 kilometer ride made him a Japanese national hero, and earned him the Order of the Sacred Treasures, third class. After his return to Japan from his ride across Asia, Fukushima donated his horses to Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, where they quickly became famous tourist attractions.
Further travels and foreign honors
As a General Staff officer after the war, he visited Egypt, Ottoman Turkey, Persia, Arabia, India, Burma, Siam and Turkistan. In 1902, he represented Emperor Meiji at the coronation of King Edward VII of Great Britain, and participated in secret diplomatic negotiations behind the Anglo-Japanese Alliance. He was awarded an honorary Knight-Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) and Order of Prince Danilo I. During the Russo-Japanese War (1904–1905) Fukushima traveled through Saskatchewan, Canada on the way to New York for the purpose of negotiating financial assistance for the war. He stopped his special train just east of Regina, Saskatchewan to view the prairies. The siding where he stopped was named Fukushima in his honour.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Fukushima Yasumasa born?
Fukushima Yasumasa was born on 27 May 1852 in Matsumoto, Shinano, Japan.
When did Fukushima Yasumasa die?
Fukushima Yasumasa died on 19 February 1919 in Zōshigaya, Tokyo, Japan.
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