The history of the research, education, and practice of “cold-region turfgrass” in Japan

Abstract

Dr. Atsushi Miyawaki, who is said to be the pioneer of turfgrass research in Japan, returned from studying at Kansas State University to a part-time lectureship at Hokkaido University in 1911, beginning 110 yr of turfgrass study in Japan. Professor Miyawaki's original research area was actually in the manufacturing of dairy produce, however, while in America, he became fascinated by the wonderful condition of the pasturelands there. Alongside his dairy studies, he began research experiments and observations on turfgrass during his time in Kansas which he continued on his return to Japan, thus pioneering the field of “turfgrass studies” which had not previously existed in the country.

From these roots, the triple approach of research, education, and practice in the study of “cold-region turfgrass” has been developed, mostly based at Obihiro Zootechnical University. Over the following 100 yr up to the present day, a line can be drawn through the history of turfgrass studies which connects four key people, Atsushi Miyawaki, Hisatomo Ohara, Kaoru Ehara, and myself, Yoichi Ohara.

The university, located in the far north of Japan, was founded in 1941 (2021 sees its 80th anniversary) and Atsushi Miyawaki was its inaugural president. Professor Miyawaki had a vision for a university that would contribute to the local society, and with vitality and passion, he encouraged the development of many specialist areas of research and education.

Aiming to continue the university's early connection with turfgrass, and with the help and advice of researchers from many different countries, in 1964 the Grassland Studies Department was founded. The curriculum was separated into two streams, pastureland studies and turfgrass studies, providing the first ever dedicated “turfgrass studies” program in Japan. In my own time teaching at the department from 1967 to 1992, at the very least, I wanted to continue our activities as the core location for turfgrass studies. Hence, we developed our first-of-its-kind, six-subject approach to turfgrass education.

From its roots in 1911, turfgrass research in Japan has been systematically developed by four main figures. The serendipitous lining up of these key people, which can be seen in Table 1, has allowed the baton to be passed smoothly from one generation to the next. Through their promotion of research, education and practice related to turfgrass, these four key people have raised the knowledge and human resources involved to a truly international level.

Here, I will introduce the systematic initiatives that have been carried out by these two organizations in the field of cold-region turfgrass.

Inspired by the famous utterance of Dr. W. S. Clark, who came from the University of Massachusetts to teach at Sapporo Agricultural College in the late-19th century, “boys, be ambitious!” Atsushi Miyawaki decided in 1902, at the age of 18, to study in America. After almost 10 yr as both a student and an instructor in Kansas, he returned to his native Japan and used his experiences and research in turfgrass to develop specialist courses in golf course management and so on, thus beginning turfgrass studies in Japan.

Following this, Obihiro Zootechnical University developed as a leading center for research and education in this field. Recently, as we celebrate 110 yr of turfgrass research in Japan, I am glad to have been able to present a little of the line that this history has followed. I look forward to the ongoing development of this research, as well as to the continued promotion of its relationship with our green spaces.