Tadataka Inô: A Pioneer Third Ager in Japan
Tadataka Inô (1745-1818), described in even Japanese grade 6 social studies textbooks1), is well-known for his contribution to the first map of Japan (Dai Nihon Enkai Yochi Zenzu), based on his precise modern surveying. Tadataka was the head of Sahara (currently, Katori, Chiba) and conducted a family business. After retirement, he learned surveying and then surveyed the whole seashore of Japan at his own expense for as long as 17 years.
Tadataka, became a son-in-law taken into the Inô family, showed his aptitude for merchandise and attained considerable wealth. At his age of 50, he handed over the headship of the family to his first son. The next year, to learn surveying and astronomical measurements, he went to Edo (currently, Tokyo) and studied under Yoshitoki Takahashi, who worked at the Tenmonkata (Edo period office in charge of compiling the calendar, astronomical measurements, surveying, translating Western books, and the like) and was 19 years younger than him.
He stepped down from his position as head of the family (i.e., the Third Age) at his age of 50. From the modern perspective, that meant he began learning at retirement age of 65. Yu Hayami found the average life expectancy at age of two (42.7 for males; 44.0 for females) in Suwa region, Shinshu (currently, Nagano Prefecture) from religious inquisition registrations for 1726-17752). Consequently, the age of 50 in those days was five years beyond the then average life expectancy in Japan. Applied to the current average life expectancy of Japanese males (age of 80 years), it could be said that he retired at 85 and then began studying privately. Moreover, he actually began surveying the seashore of Japan at his age of 56 years, which was a very old age in those days, and traveled the whole Japan for surveying for 17 years. The 17-year surveying required considerable labor costs and traveling expenses, but he could use his huge estate that earned by himself during his active business age of 18 through 50 years (i.e., the Second Age).
Now Japan has some senior colleges for third agers like Universities of the Third Age. In Edo period, educational institutions were temple schools and clan schools just for children. Without strong intention, thinking nothing of longevity, he would have never begun learning at his age beyond by five years the then average life expectancy for five years and then surveying the whole Japan for 17 years. In addition, without his huge private estate, he could not have surveyed Japan.
With three factors to have the Third Age, that is, health, vigor, and positive attitude to have the Third Age (Laslett, 1987; 1991), Tadataka's longevity was naturally extended, and he achieved such a wonderful work. In Edo period in Japan, the average life expectancy at birth was very short, and pension system did not exist. That is, the social and economic conditions for emergence of the Third Age (Laslett, 1987; 1991) were not met at all. Yet, with his strong intention, by effectively using the wealth that he attained during the Second Age, he met social and economic conditions (extended longevity and sufficient labor costs and travel expenses) by himself.
Tadataka completed surveying the whole seashore in Japan at age of 72 years old and passed away at age of 74. His friends and apprentices took over his great work and accomplished the first Japan map on his actual surveying. Tadataka's life hid a tip for longevity. It was that he himself surveyed the whole seashore of Japan by walking, utilizing what he learned, with his colleagues. Mr. Tanaka in Nagaokakyo, Kyoto, who reached age of 101 in 2012 mentioned, "(A key for longevity is) using my brain and legs3)." Dr. James House found longevity tendency in people with more friends and family, compared to those living alone or having a few friends.4)
Although lived over 200 years ago, Tadataka's life was as a third ager already.
Notes:
1) Iwata, K et al. (2012). New Society Grade 6 Vol. 1, Tokyo Shoseki Co., Ltd. [Japanese].
2) Japan Health Foundation (2012). 6. Life expectancy of Japanese - at Wakoku (ancient Japan) through the Edo period. [Japanese] Retrieved from
http://www.jnhf.or.jp/colum/6-%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E4%BA%BA%E3%81%AE%E5%AF%BF%E5%91%BD-%E5%80%AD%E5%9B%BD%E3%81%8B%E3%82%89%E6%B1%9F%E6%88%B8%E3%81%BE%E3%81%A7.html
3) City of Nagaokakyo (2012). Presentation of memento to celebrate longevity on September 7. Retrieved from http://www.city.nagaokakyo.lg.jp/0000002134.html
4) Dr. James House (2012). Retrieved from http://www.bluezones.com/2012/04/friends-nourish-the-body-and-soul/
Information for images on this page header (from the left to the right):
On Japan, retrieved from http://elpweb.com/onjapan/ino-tadataka-a-great-japanese-designer/
Taito City Culture Guide Book: Learning at the National Museum of Nature and Science, Tadataka Inoh conducted a survey after his retirement, retrieved from http://taito-culture.jp/culture/kahaku/english/kahaku_e_ot.html
Retrieved from http://www.sumoforum.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=15861
File: Autograph-Ino Tadataka.jpg, retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Autograph-Ino_Tadataka.jpg
Tadataka Inô (1745-1818), described in even Japanese grade 6 social studies textbooks1), is well-known for his contribution to the first map of Japan (Dai Nihon Enkai Yochi Zenzu), based on his precise modern surveying. Tadataka was the head of Sahara (currently, Katori, Chiba) and conducted a family business. After retirement, he learned surveying and then surveyed the whole seashore of Japan at his own expense for as long as 17 years.
Tadataka, became a son-in-law taken into the Inô family, showed his aptitude for merchandise and attained considerable wealth. At his age of 50, he handed over the headship of the family to his first son. The next year, to learn surveying and astronomical measurements, he went to Edo (currently, Tokyo) and studied under Yoshitoki Takahashi, who worked at the Tenmonkata (Edo period office in charge of compiling the calendar, astronomical measurements, surveying, translating Western books, and the like) and was 19 years younger than him.
He stepped down from his position as head of the family (i.e., the Third Age) at his age of 50. From the modern perspective, that meant he began learning at retirement age of 65. Yu Hayami found the average life expectancy at age of two (42.7 for males; 44.0 for females) in Suwa region, Shinshu (currently, Nagano Prefecture) from religious inquisition registrations for 1726-17752). Consequently, the age of 50 in those days was five years beyond the then average life expectancy in Japan. Applied to the current average life expectancy of Japanese males (age of 80 years), it could be said that he retired at 85 and then began studying privately. Moreover, he actually began surveying the seashore of Japan at his age of 56 years, which was a very old age in those days, and traveled the whole Japan for surveying for 17 years. The 17-year surveying required considerable labor costs and traveling expenses, but he could use his huge estate that earned by himself during his active business age of 18 through 50 years (i.e., the Second Age).
Now Japan has some senior colleges for third agers like Universities of the Third Age. In Edo period, educational institutions were temple schools and clan schools just for children. Without strong intention, thinking nothing of longevity, he would have never begun learning at his age beyond by five years the then average life expectancy for five years and then surveying the whole Japan for 17 years. In addition, without his huge private estate, he could not have surveyed Japan.
With three factors to have the Third Age, that is, health, vigor, and positive attitude to have the Third Age (Laslett, 1987; 1991), Tadataka's longevity was naturally extended, and he achieved such a wonderful work. In Edo period in Japan, the average life expectancy at birth was very short, and pension system did not exist. That is, the social and economic conditions for emergence of the Third Age (Laslett, 1987; 1991) were not met at all. Yet, with his strong intention, by effectively using the wealth that he attained during the Second Age, he met social and economic conditions (extended longevity and sufficient labor costs and travel expenses) by himself.
Tadataka completed surveying the whole seashore in Japan at age of 72 years old and passed away at age of 74. His friends and apprentices took over his great work and accomplished the first Japan map on his actual surveying. Tadataka's life hid a tip for longevity. It was that he himself surveyed the whole seashore of Japan by walking, utilizing what he learned, with his colleagues. Mr. Tanaka in Nagaokakyo, Kyoto, who reached age of 101 in 2012 mentioned, "(A key for longevity is) using my brain and legs3)." Dr. James House found longevity tendency in people with more friends and family, compared to those living alone or having a few friends.4)
Although lived over 200 years ago, Tadataka's life was as a third ager already.
Notes:
1) Iwata, K et al. (2012). New Society Grade 6 Vol. 1, Tokyo Shoseki Co., Ltd. [Japanese].
2) Japan Health Foundation (2012). 6. Life expectancy of Japanese - at Wakoku (ancient Japan) through the Edo period. [Japanese] Retrieved from
http://www.jnhf.or.jp/colum/6-%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E4%BA%BA%E3%81%AE%E5%AF%BF%E5%91%BD-%E5%80%AD%E5%9B%BD%E3%81%8B%E3%82%89%E6%B1%9F%E6%88%B8%E3%81%BE%E3%81%A7.html
3) City of Nagaokakyo (2012). Presentation of memento to celebrate longevity on September 7. Retrieved from http://www.city.nagaokakyo.lg.jp/0000002134.html
4) Dr. James House (2012). Retrieved from http://www.bluezones.com/2012/04/friends-nourish-the-body-and-soul/
Information for images on this page header (from the left to the right):
On Japan, retrieved from http://elpweb.com/onjapan/ino-tadataka-a-great-japanese-designer/
Taito City Culture Guide Book: Learning at the National Museum of Nature and Science, Tadataka Inoh conducted a survey after his retirement, retrieved from http://taito-culture.jp/culture/kahaku/english/kahaku_e_ot.html
Retrieved from http://www.sumoforum.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=15861
File: Autograph-Ino Tadataka.jpg, retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Autograph-Ino_Tadataka.jpg
