Background

Fukushima Yasumasa was born in Nagano Prefecture in 1852.

Education

Fukushima Yasumasa came to Edo (later Tokyo) to attend the Kobusho military school for hatamoto located in Tsukiji. After graduating the school in 1874, he joined the Ministry of Justice as a civilian personnel and later moved to the Ministry of War.

Career

Fukushima Yasumasa entered the army (1874) and became military attache to the embassy in Berlin (1887). Starting from Berlin (1892)，he returned to Japan via Siberia, Mongolia and Manchuria all alone on horseback. The trans-continental travel became well-known over the world. In 1914, he was promoted to full general and subsequently created a baron. Fukushima died at age 67 and his grave is located at Aoyama Cemetery, Tokyo.

Achievements

• The Matsumoto City Museum in Matsumoto, Nagano, preserves some of his personal artifacts, including his riding crop.