Torahiko Memorial Day

What Is Torahiko Memorial Day?

December 31 marks the death of Terada Torahiko, the physicist, essayist and haiku poet who died on this day in 1935. He is also remembered as "Fuyuhiko," after the pen name Yoshimura Fuyuhiko under which he wrote.

A Scientist Who Never Stopped Writing Essays

Terada was born in Tokyo in 1878. While at the Fifth Higher School in Kumamoto he met the physicist Tamaru Takuro and the novelist Natsume Soseki, and regarded both as lifelong teachers. Alongside his research in physics, he wrote essays under the name Yoshimura Fuyuhiko.

• Life: November 28, 1878 - December 31, 1935
• Origin of his name: born in the year and on the day of the tiger, he was named Torahiko, "tiger boy"
• Teachers: the physicist Tamaru Takuro and the writer Natsume Soseki
• Research: including the 1913 work on X-ray transmission through crystals; he also worked at the Earthquake Research Institute and RIKEN
• Essays: written as Yoshimura Fuyuhiko, collected in volumes such as "Fuyuhiko Shu" (1923)

"Disaster Strikes When You Have Forgotten It"

This line, widely attributed to Terada, survives in records of his spoken remarks. In the essay "Tensai to Kokubo" (1934) he argued that the more civilization advances, the greater the damage from natural disasters becomes -- yet because such events are rare, no one prepares. It is the view of a scientist who also worked on earthquakes and disaster prevention.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Read one of his essays, many of which are freely available online
• Check what is inside your emergency bag and supplies
• Read about his relationship with Natsume Soseki
• Add one item to your disaster preparations for the new year

Remembering Preparedness on the Last Day of the Year

A scientist whose death fell on the year's final day left behind the reminder to prepare precisely when you have forgotten. December 31 is a fitting day to check one thing -- supplies, or a way to reach people -- for the sake of next year's self.