Hosono survived the disaster, but going back home had to face the scorn of his native people.
In 1910, Hosono was working as the railroad director for the Ministry of Transport.
Sinking of the Titanic by Willy Stower (18641931).
On the night of 15 April, the ship stuck an iceberg and breached its hull.
Water started to pour in.
It was certain the ship was going down.
Hosono was awakened by a steward.
He quickly made his was to the boat deck, and what he saw there sank his heart.
Somehow I could in no way dispel the feeling of utter dread and desolation, Hosono wrote.
At first Hosono contemplated giving up his life.
But the thought of not seeing his beloved wife and children again tugged at his hearts strings.
Eventually, he found himself looking for and waiting for any possible chance for survival.
His chance came when an officer loading lifeboats shouted Room for two more, and a man jumped in.
Sensing an opportunity, Hosono jumped after.
After the ship sank there came back again frightful shrills and cries of those drowning in the water.
Masabumi Hosono
The next morning, Hosonos lifeboat and the passengers it was carrying were rescued by another ship.
At first, Hosonos story drew little attention.
One New York newspaper, however, ran his story as the Lucky Japanese Boy.
But back in Tokyo, Hosono found his native people hostile towards him.
Sacrifice, courage and selflessness run deep in Japanese culture.
During World War two, hundreds of pilots rammed their airplanes against Allied targets in kamikaze attacks.
The Japanese society did not expect Hosono to behave in anything less than an exemplary manner.
Hosono weathered the attacks from his fellow Japanese and attempted to lead a life of low key.
He died peacefully in his sleep in 1939 at the age of 68.
Hosono’s story remained a source of shame for his family for decades.
It wasnt until James Camerons film was released in 1997 that Hosonos story received a wider audience.
Honour has been restored to the Hosonos, he said.
References:# Masabumi Hosono,Encyclopedia Titanica# The Last of the Last,Encyclopedia Titanica
