Richard Ponsonby-Fane facts for kids
Richard Arthur Brabazon Ponsonby-Fane (born January 8, 1878 – died December 10, 1937) was a British expert on Japan. He was also a government worker, a university teacher, and an author. He studied Shinto, which is a Japanese religion, and was very knowledgeable about Japan.
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Early Life and Education
Richard Arthur Brabazon Ponsonby was born in Gravesend, England. As a young person, he lived in London. He also spent time at his grandfather's country home, Brympton d'Evercy, in Somerset.
In 1916, he added "Fane" to his last name.
Ponsonby went to a school called Harrow School.
A Career Around the World
In 1896, Richard Ponsonby started working for the government. He became a private secretary, which means he helped the leader of a British colony.
He worked in many different places:
- In 1896, he helped the Governor of the Cape Colony in South Africa.
- Later that year, he worked for the Governor of Natal, also in South Africa.
- In 1898, he moved to Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean.
- By 1900, he was in Ceylon.
- In 1903, he went to Hong Kong.
- He returned to Natal in 1907.
- In 1910, he worked in Fiji.
From 1915 to 1919, he was back in Hong Kong, helping the Governor there again.
Expert on Japan
In 1916, Ponsonby-Fane began teaching at the University of Hong Kong. He taught there until 1926.
In 1921, the Japanese Crown Prince Hirohito visited Hong Kong. Ponsonby-Fane was chosen to be his interpreter. This meant he helped translate what people were saying.
When Crown Prince Hirohito became the Emperor of Japan, Ponsonby-Fane was invited to a special event. He was the only non-Japanese person allowed to watch the enthronement ceremonies from a special spot.
In 1930, Prince Takamatsu and his wife traveled to Europe. Ponsonby-Fane sailed on the same ship. He was invited to all the welcoming parties for them in England.
After 1919, Ponsonby-Fane moved to Japan permanently. In his later years, he was often seen wearing a long woolen scarf. This scarf was special because it was knitted by hand by Empress Teimei, who was the widow of Emperor Taishō.
Ponsonby-Fane passed away in Kyoto, Japan, in December 1937.
Selected Writings
Richard Ponsonby-Fane wrote many books about Japan and its culture. Here are a few of them:
- The Imperial Family of Japan, 1915
- The Vicissitudes of Shinto, 1931
- Kyoto: the Old Capital of Japan, 794-1869, 1956
- Studies in Shinto and Shrines, 1962
Honours and Awards
Ponsonby-Fane received several important awards for his work and his knowledge of Japan:
- Order of the Rising Sun (from Japan)
- Order of the Sacred Treasure, 1921 (from Japan)
- He received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Hong Kong in 1926.
