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My father Tatsuo Hasegawa was born in 1916 as a youngest son of sculptor (wood engraver) of Buddha statue Kumazo Hasegawa's (1871, Meiji 4 - 1918, Taisho 7) six children in Tottori City in 1916. The eldest son was Kaiki (1898-1973, Link to: Newspaper Japan Sea: Net Nihonkai, In Japanese) who became engraver as a successor of Kumazo. Tatsuo grew up in poverty because Kumazo died soon after his birth and, one day in childhood, a strong mental response was evoked from a demonstration flight performed by a military Salmson biplane, (In Japanese).
Eventually, he went on to high school, the First Imperial High School at Tokyo (Ichikou in Japanese)(1932-1935), encouraged intensely by a junior-high-school teacher Yamamoto at Rikkyo (1929-1932) although he was very poor. After majoring in aerodynamics as a self-supporting student, he graduated from the Section of Aeronautics of the Faculty of Engineering at Tokyo Imperial University in 1939 (1936-1939). During this period, he participated in the glider club of the faculty (leader: Shigeichi Moriguchi, who later became a professor of engeneering at Tokyo Univeristy, a pioneer in computer science and a leader of nation-wide QC movement in Japan), and acquired a national license of gliding, 2nd-stage, by Ministry of Communication of Japan in 1938. In fact, during one of these routine training sessions, he experienced a failed landing and damaged a tail end of the fuselage. According to the supervising Professor Tomijirou Moriya, Tatsuo maintained a straight face after nose dive and crash, and resumed training the day after in a business-as-usual style. As one of the youngest chief fighter designers in the military circle in those days, he began to develop a high altitude interceptor Ki-94 in 1943 in Tachikawa Aircraft Corporation for the army (1939-1945). After the initial design Ki-94-I was abandoned, he revised and proposed the scheme as Ki-94-II in May 1944 that has an orthodox outline but with several new ideas, i.e., laminar flow wing (TH airfoil) with high aspect ratio, pressurized cabin, the installed engine being 18-cylinder, high-power Ha44-12 (Ha219; 2, 450 hp) that was turbocharged with Ru204 in the underbelly. It measures 14 meter in span and 12 meter in overall length, with 28-square-meter wing area and 6,400 kg in maximum loaded weight. The theoretical maximum performance was 750 km/h at 10,000 meter, endurance of 40 minutes at 9,000 meter and full power in addition to 1.53 hours at cruising speed, with armaments of two each, wing-mounted 30 mm and 20 mm cannon. The specialized purpose was of course to intercept the formation of B-29 bombers and shoot them down from the safety range.Ki-94-II in monochrome three-view drawing (26KB gif.file)
Ki-94-II in color profile (54KB jpg. file)
Before the surrender day on August 15, photographing a prototype interceptor was strictly prohibited because of military secrecy even if he is an original concept formulator/engineer. I heard from my father that after the defeat he took in a hurry with available camera many pictures of his Ki-94 in the Kanamachi factory in the confusion of the moment.The first prototype of Ki-94-II in the Kanamachi factory in the summer of 1945 (48KB jpg.file)
Ditto, with Tatsuo Hasegawa in the center (bespectacled) and technical staff, on August 15 or next days in 1945 (473 KB jpg.file, retouched to repair bruise of the orininal plate)
Actually, Ki-94 has never taken off, eventually didn't kill/hurt any personel. Japan surrendered on August 15 1945. Alas, on that day her maiden flight was scheduled! Tatsuo's progress note had disrupted at that moment forever, but his dream of AIM HIGH didn't. The fate of the prototype Ki-94-II after being confiscated immediately from the factory by the occupying Armed Forces is beyond our knowledge, so your information would be acknowledged.
After the WWII was over, temporaily he applied for the US Occupation Forces as a construction technologist and language interpreter (1945-1946) where salary was not bad, according to his memorandum, and build self-confidence in English speaking. He was finally urged to change the course, because the aviation was prohibited in the occupied Japan that was now under control of the General Head Quarter (GHQ) of General Douglas MacArthur. As many colleagues did, he sought for employment to the nascent automobile industry, in his case TOYOTA Motor Company (1946-1986). Actually, his design team has launched several "smaller, faster, better" projects successfully, e.g., the first generation models of Publica, Sports 800 (*1), Corolla, Celica and Carina. He was promoted to the general manager of the product planning office and senior director, and retired from this industry in 1982.
He was a senior consultant to DuPont, Delaware, in 1982-1988, where he advised them on the marketing strategy aimed at automobile industry. Detroit Development Center may be one of his contributions.
He was alive and well in Hayama (the view of the house in December 2007, now Akio's vacation house), Kanagawa Prefecture, near Yokosuka Naval Base, and concentrating on gardening with roses and cattleyas till December 2001, when he moved to the new mansion in Tokyo with my mother Miyoko, actually returned to Tokyo after living in rural area of Japan over 50 years. His life style is extremely regular, maybe alike that of Immanuel Kant in Koenigsberg, i.e., at age 90 (February 2006) getting up early morning, reading books and periodicals (National Geographic, Science, etc in English) and tending plants, and eating meals three times a day at strictly fixed time. Who do you think cares for him? Of course, my mother at age 84 (March 2006). They can still live fully independently from me and my brother Masao). In fact, regular check-up a decade ago revealed increased level of PSA (10-15 ng, stabilized), which he firstly didn't care for and his and urologist's option was no treatment, and after a reasonable interval hormone therapy was initiated, which has downed PSA level to less than 5 ng for years and caused gynecomastia. My educated guess is that his DCD would not be prostatic cancer. ;) OTH, My mother Miyoko is showing a increasing short-term amnesia for a couple of years, but still maintains her personal integrity and daily activity. So far, so good,,,
On November 15 2004, he was elected one of 2004 inductees in Japan Automotive Hall of Fame for (1) application of aerodynamics theory to automobile design, and (2) main-stream product planning and management in corporate enviroment.Commendation Ceremony 2004 (1)
Commendation Ceremony 2004 (2)
Japan Automotive Hall of Fame web site (in Japanese, only)
(*1) Application of aerodynamics to lightweight two-seater sports car, with oval-shaped body as a logical consequence (cf. Track record: Shozo Sato's original angular design concept during Nissan years). BTW, Sports 800 is called YotaHachi by connoisseur in Japan, which means Yota=waddle in Japanese or toYota, Hachi=eight:
References in Japanese:
1. Hasegawa, T. On airfoil with a radius at the trailing edge. JJSA (Journal of the Japan Society for Aeronautics in Japanese), 1942:9 (March 1942).
2. Hasegawa, T. and Akiyama, I. A consideration on the stress (burden) inflicted on the automobile, with special reference to the stress in the free fall. Toyota Technology, 1948:1(1);1-8.
3. Hasegawa, T. A consideration on line drawing of automobile body, with special reference to application of curvilinear coordination system and mathematical expression (Fourier transformation). Toyota Technology, 1948:1(4);11-17.
4. Hasegawa, T. On the results of wind-tunnel experiment at the First Department of Engineering of Tokyo University for aerodynamic characteristics of three category of automobile bodies. Toyota Technology, 1948:1(8);1-12.
5. Hasegawa, T. and Nishida, K. On the frameless monocoque structure of BW bus. Toyota Technology, 1950:3(2);16-19.
6. Hasegawa, T. and Nishida, K. On the body and frame of RS (Toyopet Crown). Toyota Technology, 1955:8(1-2);22-29.
7. Hasegawa, T. A comment on TH wing (Airfoil with a radius at the trailing edge). JJSASS (Journal of the Japan Society for Aeronautical and Space Sciences in Japanese), 1982:30 (Dec 1982); 704-714 (reenact for ref. 1).
Mr. Richard Street's site on TOYOTA Sports 800
Mr. Richard Street meets the rhythm section, no, no, no, the son of Tatsuo Hasegawa on the Japan Classic Car Association's New Year Meeting on January 27 2008 held at Aomi Temporary Parking Lot in Tokyo Bay Area. Hey, take a look at that small box held under Akio's left arm, Smoked Wild King Salmon by Seabear at Washington State, which some people would argue that it must be a bribery to a narrow-minded local official in Japan. In fact, Akio consumed smoked salmon as hors d'oeuvre at home dinner with his wife in the night (full disclosure). Rich likes Sports 800 and Koi (carp), whereas Akio too prefers imported products (see his Country Cord Blazer from L.L.Bean on this photo, and his Birkin Seven sports car).TOYOTA Sports 800s in the same venue (JCCA 2008)
PS: Tatsuo suffered from falling accident while out for a walk with Miyoko on September 23 2007 (at age 91), and transfered to the ER of an affiliated hospital of Tokyo Women's Medical College Shiseikai 2nd on ambulance, where CT-images revealed several hemorrhages, including contra-coup injuries, in the cerebral cortex, but sparing the internal capsule and brain stem: CT-image (By courtesy of Drs. Kawabata, MD, Tanoshika, MD, and Hamada, MD). He recovered from cerebral contusion, hemorrhage and from compicating mild aspiration pneumonia, and vital prognosis is not bad (die-hard engineer, indeed,,), with no pyramidal signs till lately, however, orientation is not good with moderate decline in intelligence, and gait is impossible as of October 8. He remembers very well glorious fun of driving Celica on the highway, but, somewhat dimly Corolla to which he ventured his life. Ummmm, Here is the photo presenting the perfect example of family value (Hillary Rodham Clinton, do you hear?). After shrugging off the acute phase (Indeed, he has guts to dine well for his age,,,), he was transfered from the acute care facility to the chronic rehabilitation hospital called Tsurumaki Onsen (=Spa) Hospital in Kanagawa Prefecture on October 25 2007 on my Saab. When I re-visited this hospital on October 27, he just finished physical therapy (PT) in the morning, and after lunch together I watched his occupational therapy (OT, Images: OT1, OT2, OT3) (PT/OT for an hour a day, respectively), the latter given by an occupational therapist who, in fact, appeared a crisp and elegant young lady. On November 3 when I paid a regular weekly visit to him, we lunched together at the observation room on the 5th floor of the hospital which is prepared for reunion between the patient and the family, when Tatsuo consumed three cream puff I brought for him. Probably next time I dare to bring a bottle of Bordeaux wine to him to fully soak up the scenery. Indeed, the Brits put an original idea out, the German enforce it with strict law, and the French beat the system by finding loopholes. He could not get up on his own as of this day, though, he had a will to recover When I visited the hospital before noon on December 8 2007, he was undergoing physical therapy, and I was astonished to see HE CAN WALK NOW. He stood from the wheelchair on his own two feet from the parallel bars, went around the PT training room under the supervision of Mr. Takahashi, PT, then, to extend the length of sustained walk, kept trying straight line motion out in the corridor, eventually he accomplished a 300-meter walk as he proposed to himself. He ist sehr geistig, shows CAN-DO SPIRIT in spite of age 91. We raised red glasswines on the sly to congratulate a straight 300-meter walk at the observation room on the 5th floor. Occasional disorientation is now minimized, i.e., stubbornness made a comeback (we weep ;). Rehabilitation medicine works! (By courtesy of Dr. Mitsuhashi, MD, with special thanks to Mr. Takahashi, PT, Mrs. Niizawa, OT, and Mr. Urano, ST, and other staff). Before noon on December 24 2007, Tatsuo was discharged from Tsurumaki Onsen (=Spa) Hospital after finishing the prescribed rehabilitation regimen (in total, 3-month-hospital stay since the accident. Under normal conditions, it must be a hard challenge for over-90-year-old man). Two commemorative pictures at that moment are presented here, (a) Standing alone, hugging with Akio in the ward, (b) Smiling with ward personnel, best in this country, who are in flush of youth! (Joseph Conrad may be ashamed,,,), in the lobby of the floor. He then in the afternoon settled to the elderly-care housing, Care Home Hanaemi (in Japanese), which my wife Mineko and my brother's wife Sumiko had sorted out from many alternatives and where my mother/his wife Miyoko has already got a foot in. Best wishes to our seasoned parents. The author Akio is afraid that Tatsuo will become Yota-Hase (cf. Sports 800's neckname, YotaHachi) anyway in the near future.
On March 9 2008, we held a birthday dinner (French full-course) for my parents (February 8 for Tatsuo's 92 years-old and March 4 for Miyoko's 86 years-old) at neaby small but elegant hotel of their care house (Aobadai Forum) - Ceremonial photo, toast with champagne flute, murmuring"C'est la vie" listening to live jazz piano performance, consumed one bottle of champagne and 1.5 of Bordeaux. My perception is that aged people live as long as they eat and drink well. One strange thing that happened during this dinner and I was surprised at was he suddenly said "Noch einmal" for which I responded reflexively "Doch, das gibt's nur einmal" (Both in intelligible German), I am still wondering, ummm. BTW, Akio family have rejoiced at prime number birthday among others. This time, 92 vs. 86 is not a prime number pair. The previous one was 89 vs. 83, and next time is 103 vs. 97?
The final curtain is falling on rather abruptly. On Sunday April 13 2008, Tatsuo was found lying unconscious on the floor beside the bed in the care home at 21:00 by attendant, with no pulse palpable and no blood pressure measurable (Actually, similar accident, though with intact vital signs, happened a month before with emergency transfer to the ER). This time, he was transferred to the ER of Showa University Fujigaoka Hospital ASAP in a timely fashion by ambulance, arriving with cardiopulmonary arrest (CPAoA), where resuscitation with adrenalin infusion successfully induced recovery of heartbeat at 21:40 by Dr. Hayashi and his ER staff (after arrest for at least 40 minutes). After receiving a call from the care home, I went in a hurry on my car through metropolitan expressway, and on my arrival there at 23:00, he was already put under intratracheal intubation and artificial ventilation, with laboratory data pCO2 147.6, pO2 51.2, pH 6.87, and bilateral dilated pupil and no light reflex which I re-checked myself. After transferred to the ward, he remains unconscious in state of vegetable state to brain stem death, however with steady heartbeat with sinus rhythm (what an endurable engine!); the vital signs (MS Excel) and clinical laboratory data (jpg) are as follows (By courtesy of Dr. Hayashi, MD, and my former colleague at the department of pathology at Tokyo Univerisity Dr.Yoshimura, MD).
And now, the end is near; My father Tatsuo Hasegawa passed away at age 92 at 1:08 on April 29 2008 at Showa University Fujigaoka Hospital very peacefully, surrounded by Miyoko (age 86), Akio, and grandchildren at his bedside. We were holding Tatsuo's hands while bedside monitor was showing transition from regular sinus rhythm to ventricular tachycardia to gradual flattening of QRS complex, very gradually. The final curtain has fallen on, followed by sound of silence,,,,
And so I face the final curtain.
My friend, I'll say it clear,
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain.
I've lived a life that's full.
I've traveled each and every highway;
And more, much more than this,
I did it my way.
Regrets, I've had a few;
But then again, too few to mention.
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption.
I planned each charted course;
Each careful step along the byway,
But more, much more than this,
I did it my way.,,,,
(His favorite song; actually during active duty days, he was singing in the mild drinking party this song in English)
Private funeral service was held (Photo 1), (Photo 2) at Sion on May 2 and 3 2008 in Tokyo. Eventually, he was laid to rest (cineration) in the cemetery of Gotoku-ji (Gotokuji Temple) in Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, on June 14 2008 (Photo1, Photo2, Photo3, Guide map). Thanks for all of you who were interacting with him during his life. Thank you once again.
Flight Simulation of Ki-94-II
A cyberfriend of mine recently finished designing Ki-94-II for Microsoft's Combat Flight Simulator Two - WWII Pacific Theater, which has turned out to be very interesting, even in a historical way.
Ki-94 beyond a Beechcraft Baron waiting for takeoff in Microsoft FS2002, a screenshot taken by Mr. David C. Copley. You could exactly guess what a big plane the Ki-94 was (By courtesy of Mr. Copley). Mr. Gerald D. Lindell's site whose father-in-law flew P-38 in the Pacific theater during WW2
CFS2 Add-ons Aircraft Download Site (Near lower end of the page, 2,339 Megs, unzip to /CFS2/Aircraft/ folder)
Mr. David C. Copley's site, who modelled flight characteristics of Ki-94-II
Scale Plastic Model of Ki-94-II
I came across this plastic model at the specialized store in Akihabara district of Tokyo in October 2007, which cost me 4,000 Yen. I am now pondering whether to fabricate and paint or to keep as it is. It is actually the privilege for scale modeler to paint favorite model in hypothetical operational camouflage.
1:72 scale model of Ki-94 II from RS models of Czech Republic (upper side painting of the package) with resin and photo-etched parts.
Ditto (#92020, under side painting of the package)
Ditto (plastic parts)
External Links
Wikipedia page on Tatsuo Hasegawa
Condolence page on the newspaper Yomiuri (In Japanese)
Condolence page on the newspaper Mainichi (In Japanese)
Katsushika City Museum Exhibition on Ki-94 on July 20 - September 4 2005 (In Japanese)
DISCLAIMER: The views expressed here are those of the author Akio Hasegawa and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of any institutions in Japan. Citations of trade names do not constitute an endorsement of the products. Feedback is, as always, encouraged. Use the address DrHASEGAWA@aol.com for all correspondence regarding this column.
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Version 1.23 2008/06/22
Copyright (C) 1998-2008 Akio Hasegawa, MD
