Inokichi Kuwana (1871-1933)

Pioneer of Entomology

He was born in Koishiwara at Kurotsuchi.
From his younger days he had a strong will to study abroad.
At 18 he decided to go to America but they wouldn't accept his age.
So he got on boat without a passport and arrived in Hawaii.

One American took care of him.
Kuwana had a chance to study entomology in earnest and got a degree.

In 1900 he came back to Japan and studied at Hikosan Entomology Institute and he had strong ties with Baron Nobumaro Takachiho( president of the institute).
Later he was named an engineer of the Agricultural and Commercial Ministry and serviced at the Nishigahara Agricultural Experimental Station where he got a Bachelor of Science.

He frequently went to America his studies of entomology he felt the need to have control of import and export in plants, fruits and seeds.
He suggested this to the government who set up plant control center in Yokohama.
He was named as the first president of this faculty..

Mr.Kuwana consolidated the basis of entomology and introduced new knowledge. He also wrote books and lectured about prevention of insect damage.
He left a big footprint in the area of innovation in Japanese agriculture.
He wrote many books.

He was born in Mikekado at the first son in a family of four sons and five daughters.
After being educated at Toyotsu Junior High School he entered Number Five High School in Kumamoto. In Kumamoto his grades rivaled those of Torahiko Terada and at any time other of them would top their class.
Terada later went on to become a Professor at Tokyo University.

Uchimaru was taught by the famous Japanese writer Soseki Natsume, they were so close Uchiyama was invited to attend Natsume's New Year Card-Playing Party many times.

After High School Uchiyama entered into the Mechanical Engineering Department of Tokyo University. He was consistently top of his class and he received Imperial gift of a silver watch. For three years he shuttled between his boarding house and the university, he never venture anywhere else.
In 1902 he graduated from university and was appointed to Assistant Professor of the Mechanical Engineering Department.

In his lectures his Buzen dialect was so strong students nicknamed him "Bonehead Maru"(Maru is his name). During his term as Assistant Professor of Tokyo University he wrote four books, "Steam Boiler", "Steam Engine", and "Gas and Oil Engine". At that time all engineering books were written in English, many researchers in Japan were able to take advantage of these books.

In 1911 he went to Europe where he was able to take advantage of their knowledge concerning watermills, hydrate-electricity, steam turbines, and diesel engines. He wrote many books during this times.
In 1932 he was appointed to Professor of Tokyo University and the year after he was promoted to Doctor of Engineering.
In those days automobiles and airplanes were coming to enjoy increasing popularity. He was the Chairman of the Machinery Association which had 8800 members.

In 1938 he retire from the University and after than he became a technical advisor at Nissan and Hitachi. At 70 he retired from his career altogether.
During his 36 years at Tokyo University he contributed a great deal to the Japanese industry. He passed away age 91 and his family donated many old paintings and folk materials of the Uchimarus.

Kotaro Yahata (1854-1923)

The Yahatas have served as priests for several generations.
At 15 he studied Chinese characters and literature under Seisai Tsuneto and Shunson Tohaya. In 1885 he was selected as the headmaster of nine villages.
Nine villages were united into Kurotsuchi village in 1890. He became Kurotsuchi's village master a position he held for 40 years.


Shozo Takahashi was Yahata's predecessor. In his time he initiated several projects including the construction of Yakata Kou pond.
Yahata was a great admire of Takahashi yet Takahashi freely admits that Yahata succeeded where he didn't. Under Yahata's guidance Kurotsuchi village was made into a model village for all Japan's example. Yahata managed to finish the construction of Yakata Kou pond. It took ten years in total.


In 1912 he established an industrial union and he served concurrently as the first union leader although there was no remuneration for this second position.
Takahashi was his mentor. After his death Yahata carried a strand of Takahashi's hair everywhere. He gave wholeheartedly to social education.
Another achievement of Yahata's was the founding of several associations for households, youth, housewives, young ladies, aged, reunions, and village meetings.


He received 41 testimonials but he didn't hang any of them at the city hall.
After his death villagers staged a funeral on his behalf.

Susumu Sano (1906-1974)

Foundation of Sano Scholarship Society

He was the second boy in three boys and one girl. In his boyhood he lived in Shoue and then moved to Hachiya.
His father Sasaichi ran a printing business.
After Yamada school he entered Moji Railway Management Bureau. In 1925 he succeeded in an examination of special school and went to Tokyo.
Owing to illness he had to return.
In 1929 he opened a stationary and sports goods store in Hachiya. In 1935 he founded Sano-Shoten and spreaded his business to the iron and steel industry.
In 1947 he changed his company name to Sano-Sangyo Co. and built his first factory.
After that he built his second and third factories.
In the political field he was active as a town assembly member and after the inauguration of Buzen city he was head assembly member.
And that he served in other vital posts.

After his death his wife Yoneko inherited his business and in 1969 she founded Sano Scholarship Society as her husband had willed.
The donation was 50 million yen and a three-storied building.
Up to now over 300 senior high school students and college students have enjoyed the benefit of this scholarship.