MICHIYO TSUJIMURA is a Japanese scientist who works on the study of the health benefits of green tea. He has received awards and honors for his work. In this article, we are going to discuss his early life and his education, as well as his research on green tea.
Early life
Michiyo Tsujimura was a Japanese scientist, educator, and biochemist. She studied green tea, resulting in her being awarded the Japan Prize for Agricultural Science in 1956. In 1968, she was named to the Order of the Precious Crown of the Fourth Class.
During her career, she worked at several institutions. She spent her early career as a teacher, first at a women’s high school in Yokohama, then at a women’s normal school in Saitama. Later, she became a professor at a women’s university in Tokyo.
Tsujimura’s research focused on the health benefits of green tea. In her studies, she found that it contains a vitamin called catechin. After researching this vitamin, she patented a method for extracting it from plants.
Her research helped to increase the production and export of green tea to North America. Her discoveries also led to an increased consumer interest in the health benefits of green tea.
Tsujimura was born in Okegawa, Saitama Prefecture, Japan, in 1888. She studied under the biologist Kono Yasui and then earned her bachelor’s degree at the Tokyo Women’s Higher Normal School. She went on to earn her master’s degree and doctorate at the Tokyo Imperial University.
Graduated from Tokyo Imperial University
Tsuruko Haraguchi was the first Japanese woman psychologist. She graduated from Tokyo Imperial University in 1883. During her time there, she published numerous articles and papers and translated works by Francis Galton. After finishing her graduate studies in psychology at Columbia University, she returned to Japan.
Aiko Higuchi was another pioneer. She became the junior assistant of psychology at Tokyo Bunrika University and then the dean at Shiraume Gakuen Junior College. She eventually became the professor of psychology and music at Tohoku Imperial University. In addition to her research, she also worked as an assistant to Shiraume Gakuen President.
Until World War II, women were only allowed to pursue higher education in girls’ high schools and boys’ middle schools. However, in 1908, two Women’s Higher Normal Schools were established in Nara and Tokyo. The graduates of these schools could teach in girls’ high schools.
At the same time, the new Meiji government began to import Western techniques and knowledge. These new approaches included modern medicine. It was through these methods that the Japanese modernized their social system.
Research on green tea
The scientist, chemist, and educator Michiyo Tsujimura studied the nutritional qualities of green tea and its components. She discovered that the tea contains a high amount of vitamin C, a key ingredient in the tea’s bitter taste. Her discoveries led to an increase in the popularity of green tea in North America.
During her research, she isolated the chemical components of green tea, including catechin and tannin. Her findings led to an increased interest in the tea’s health benefits.
After graduating, she began a career as a researcher. She first worked as an unpaid lab assistant at the Hokkaido Imperial University. Later she worked as a teacher at Saitama and Kanagawa prefectural women’s high schools.
In 1922, Tsujimura moved to Tokyo Imperial University to work under Dr. Umetaro Suzuki, who would become her mentor. While working under Suzuki, she began her research on vitamin C.
Tsujimura’s research was destroyed by a major earthquake in 1923. This triggered her move to a different laboratory, where she continued her research.
Awards and honors
Michiyo Tsujimura is an agricultural scientist who is recognized as a pioneer in green tea research. She began her career as an unpaid lab assistant at the Hokkaido Imperial University. In 1922, she transferred to the Tokyo Imperial University where she worked in the Medical Chemical Laboratory. There, she partnered with Professor Umetaro Suzuki to isolate the flavonoid catechin in green tea.
After earning her doctorate, Tsujimura became a lecturer at various universities. She also taught at women’s high schools. From 1955 to 1963, she was professor at Jissen Women’s University in Tokyo. Later, she taught at the Yokohama High School for Women. During this time, she was awarded the Order of the Precious Crown, Fourth Class.
Michiyo Tsujimura was the first woman in Japan to receive a doctorate in agriculture. Her research into green tea led to the discovery of many nutritional benefits. As a result, she was awarded the Japan Prize of Agricultural Science in 1956.
