Background
Tobe Kunitomo was born on November 21, 1778 in Omi Province, Shiga Prefecture.
Tobe Kunitomo was born on November 21, 1778 in Omi Province, Shiga Prefecture.
Later Tobe Kunitomo became a disciple of Atsutane Hirata from whom he studied the Japanese classics and waka poetry.
Tobe Kunitomo built Japan's first reflective telescope in 1831. It was of the Gregorian type. Kunitomo's telescope had a magnification of 60, and allowed him to make very detailed studies of sun spots and lunar topography. Four of his telescopes remain to this day. He is also said to be the inventor of an air gun.
Tobe Kunitomo was a happy-go-lucky man and fond of wine he bestowed all his property to his brother to leave him free to roam the land at his pleasure. He found pleasure in associating with prominent people.
