Background
Chemist. Specialized in study of organic compound. Born in Miyagi Prefecture. Graduated from Tohoku Urnversity (1926). Appointed assistant professor of Tohoku (Taipei) University and then professor (1937). During this period, studied the analysis of color elements of the thick dark reddish material extracted from Formosan cypress, and succeeding in extracting an acid element which is contamed m the material named it Hinokitiol (1940). From 1945 to 1948 was appointed by the Chinese Government to work for the Science Department of the Chinese National University at Taipei. Returned to Japan (1948) and immediately appointed professor of Tohoku University. The acid element from Formosan cypress ·was taken up as one of the most important subjects of chemists for organic compounds in America, England and Germany, and was later named as "Tropolone." He succeeded in making it artificially (1950), ahead of any other chemist. Furthermore, succeeded in making more than one hundred substitutes of Hinokitiol and rendered thoroughgoing research and investigation into their physical and chemical structures. Received the Asahi Cultural Award (1951) and also the prize of the Japan Academy (1953).
