In 1997, on the eve of the release of James Cameroon’s blockbuster movie Titanic, a curious story from Japan came to light. It was about Masabumi Hosono, a Japanese civil servant, who found himself on the ill-fated ship on the night of 15 April 1912 during its maiden journey from Southampton to New York City. Hosono survived the disaster, but going back home had to face the scorn of his native people. According to them, Hosono should have gone down with the ship as any proud Samurai would have when faced with adversity.
In 1910, Hosono was working as the railroad director for the Ministry of Transport. Because of his proficiency in the Russian language, Hosono was sent to Russia to study the Russian state railway system. After staying two years in Russia, Hosono went to London and then to Southampton where he boarded Titanic on 10 April 1912 as a second class passenger.
Sinking of the Titanic by Willy Stöwer (1864–1931).
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