Mr Masabumi Hosono

Who was Masabumi Hosono?

Masabumi Hosono was a 41 (forty-one) year-old Japanese civil servant who became the only Japanese passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. His unique experience as a survivor and the subsequent backlash he faced in his home country make his story one of the most intriguing among Titanic passengers.

Early Life and Background

Born on October 15, 1870, in Japan, Masabumi Hosono worked as a civil servant in Tokyo. His profession and nationality set him apart from many of the other second-class passengers on the Titanic, as he was likely traveling for work-related purposes.

Titanic Journey Details

How did Hosono come to be on the Titanic?

Hosono boarded the Titanic at Southampton, embarking on what would become a life-changing journey. He traveled as a second-class passenger, having purchased ticket number 237798 for £13.

What was Hosono’s experience on the night of the disaster?

On the fateful night of April 14, 1912, Hosono’s account provides a vivid description of the unfolding tragedy:

All the while flares signalling emergency were being shot into the air ceaselessly, and hideous blue flashes and noises were simply terrifying. Somehow I could in no way dispel the feeling of utter dread and desolation.

As chaos ensued, Hosono found himself facing a moral dilemma. He later wrote:

I tried to prepare myself for the last moment with no agitation, making up my mind not to leave anything disgraceful as a Japanese. But still I found myself looking for and waiting for any possible chance for survival.

Fate During the Disaster

How did Hosono survive the sinking?

Hosono’s chance for survival came when an officer loading lifeboats shouted, “Room for two more.” Seeing another man jump in, Hosono made the split-second decision to take the last available spot. He was rescued in lifeboat 10, becoming one of the few male second-class survivors of the disaster.

After the rescue, Hosono vividly described the harrowing scene:

After the ship sank there came back again frightful shrills and cries of those drowning in the water. Our lifeboat too was filled with sobbing, weeping children and women worried about the safety of their husbands and fathers.

Legacy and Impact

How was Hosono’s survival received in Japan?

Contrary to what one might expect, Hosono’s survival was met with severe criticism in his home country:

• His ministry sacked him from his job
• Japanese newspapers accused him of cowardice
• Textbooks cited his survival as a model of shameful behavior
• A professor of ethics denounced him as immoral

This backlash continued for years, with Hosono’s name being dragged through the mud again in 1954 when a Japanese liner sank.

What happened to Hosono after the Titanic?

The constant criticism and shame took a toll on Hosono. He passed away on March 14, 1939, at the age of 68 (sixty-eight), a broken man. His final resting place is in Tama Cemetery, Tokyo, Japan.

How was Hosono’s story preserved?

For years, Hosono’s account of the Titanic disaster remained hidden at the bottom of a drawer. It wasn’t until recently that his granddaughter, Yuriko, made the find public, shedding new light on this unique perspective of the Titanic’s sinking.

Masabumi Hosono’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the complex moral and cultural implications that can arise from survival in the face of tragedy. His experience aboard the Titanic and the subsequent treatment he received in Japan offer a unique lens through which to view the disaster and its far-reaching consequences.