Tabata Sabuni

• Born: 1678/7/1
• Died: 1764/5/19
• Other Names: 為辰 (Tametatsu)
• Japanese: 田畑 佐文仁 (Tabata Sabuni)

Tabata Sabuni was a native of Amami Ôshima known for his efforts in land reclamation and cultivation on the island.

Born in 1678, he traveled to Kokubun (today, Kirishima City), Satsuma province, in 1712 to study land reclamation techniques. Returning to the island, he brought as much as 500 hectares of land into cultivation between 1726 and 1738. For his efforts, Satsuma han granted him gôshi status, making him the first person on the island to hold such rank; in conjunction with this, he was granted permission to use a surname, and took the name Tabata.

He is also credited with devising techniques for using water buffalo in the processes of sugar production.

Tabata died in 1764.

References

• "Tabata Sabuni," Nihon jinmei daijiten, Kodansha.
• Gallery labels, Amami Tatsugô Shima Museum.[1]