The sinking of the Titanic over a century ago continues to captivate people’s imaginations. Among the survivors is Masabumi Hosono, a Japanese bureaucrat who was heavily criticized for not going down with the ship. Despite the passage of time, the story of Hosono’s survival still carries a sense of intrigue.
Masabumi Hosono was working in Russia as vice councilor of the Railway Board for the Japanese Ministry of Transportation before setting sail on the Titanic. Instead of embarking on a treacherous journey across Russia, Hosono, who was 42 years old at the time, decided to board the ship in Southampton, England. As a second-class passenger, he was the only Japanese traveler on board.
On the fateful night of April 14, 1912, tragedy struck when the Titanic collided with an iceberg. Hosono believed he was destined to die and was resigned to his fate. However, a glimmer of hope emerged when an officer mentioned the availability of two seats on a lifeboat. Another passenger stepped forward, leaving Hosono in a state of hesitation. Eventually, he took the chance to survive, motivated by the desperation of not being able to reunite with his beloved wife and children.
Unlike other survivors who were met with sympathy and admiration, Hosono faced harsh judgment and ostracism upon returning to Japan. The Japanese press condemned him for living while praising those who perished as honorable heroes. Hosono’s decision to prioritize his own survival over the “women and children first” principle led to his social exclusion and loss of employment. He lived out his days in seclusion, carrying the stigma of his survival until his death in 1939.
In the 1990s, Hosono’s descendants published his writings about his experience on the Titanic. These writings contradicted earlier accounts that had mistakenly identified him as a different Asian man on a separate lifeboat, accused of dishonorable behavior. Instead, Hosono’s writings shed light on the fact that he had actually helped row the lifeboat and save fellow passengers. This discovery restored his honor and credibility, garnering public sympathy for him.
To this day, Hosono’s account remains one of the most detailed recollections of the Titanic’s tragic end. Written on Titanic stationery, it provides a haunting yet gripping depiction of the panic and chaos that engulfed the ill-fated ship. The enduring fascination with the Titanic’s survivors ensures that the story of Masabumi Hosono will continue to captivate and intrigue audiences.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
