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Shinichiro Tomonaga

ともなが しんいちろう

Tomonaga Shinichirō

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1906-03-31 （Kohinata Sangenchō, Koishikawa, Tokyo (now Kohinata, Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan)）
Died
1979-07-08 age 73
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Tokyo (birthplace) → Kyoto (grew up) → Musashino (honorary citizen)

Career

Occupations
Physicist, University Professor, Researcher, Science Communicator
Active Years
1929-1979
Affiliations
Kyoto Imperial University (Kyoto University), RIKEN (The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research), Tokyo University of Education (now University of Tsukuba), Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, Research Institute for Nuclear Physics, University of Tokyo
Memberships
Japan Academy, Science Council of Japan (served as President), Appeal of the World Peace Committee of Seven
Influenced By
Yoshio Nishina, Werner Heisenberg, Niels Bohr
Influenced
Yukio Hayakawa, Yoichiro Nambu, Masatoshi Koshiba
Nominations
Nobel Prize in Physics nominee (1951), Nobel Prize in Physics nominee (1952), Nobel Prize in Physics nominee (1955), Nobel Prize in Physics nominee (1956), Nobel Prize in Physics nominee (1957), Nobel Prize in Physics nominee (1960), Nobel Prize in Physics nominee (1963)

Education

Kyoto Imperial University (now Kyoto University)
Faculty of Science / Department of Physics
Degree: 理学士
Period: 1926-1929
Year of Graduation: 1929
Country: Japan
Undergraduate graduation; during student years he frequently attended rakugo and yose (variety) performances.
Tokyo Imperial University (now University of Tokyo)
Graduate School of Science / Science (Doctoral program)
Degree: 理学博士
Period: 1937-1939
Year of Graduation: 1939
Country: Japan
Awarded PhD based on a dissertation written during studies abroad.

Awards

Nobel Prize in Physics
1965
Work: Fundamental research in quantum electrodynamics (including development of renormalization methods)
Organization: The Nobel Foundation / Nobel Committee
Result: 受賞
Order of Culture
1952
Organization: Government of Japan
Result: 受章
Order of the Rising Sun, Grand Cordon
1976
Organization: Government of Japan
Result: 受章
Japan Academy Prize
1948
Work: Theoretical research on magnetron oscillation mechanisms and three-dimensional circuits
Organization: Japan Academy
Result: 受賞
Asahi Prize
1946
Organization: Asahi Shimbun
Result: 受賞
Osaragi Jiro Prize
1980
Work: What Is Physics?
Organization: Osaragi Jiro Prize Committee
Result: 受賞（没後）

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Quantum Mechanics

1949 Textbook / Academic

A standard Japanese textbook on quantum mechanics that organized foundational theory and was widely used for education.

Quantum mechanicsFoundations of physicsEducation
Translations
  • English translation (1962): Quantum Mechanics

The Story of Spin

1974 Specialist book / Exposition

An exposition on the physics of spin and mature concepts of quantum mechanics.

SpinDevelopment of quantum theoryTheoretical physics
Translations
  • English translation (1998): The Story of Spin

The World in the Mirror

1965 Popular science

A collection of essays explaining physical concepts in an accessible way for general readers.

Science popularizationIntroduction to physicsObservation of nature

What Is Physics?

1979 Popular science

Reflections on the nature of physics and the attitude of research; an introductory set of essays later collected and published posthumously.

Philosophy of scienceScience and societyIntroduction to physics

Birds That Come to the Garden (essays)

1975 Essays

An essay collection of nature observations and everyday anecdotes.

Nature observationEssaysEveryday life

Bibliography

  • Quantum Mechanics (Vol.1 & Vol.2)
  • Quantum Mechanical Worldview
  • Reader on Physics
  • The World in the Mirror
  • The Story of Spin
  • Birds That Come to the Garden
  • What Is Physics? (Vol.1 & Vol.2)

Translations by Author

  • Paul Dirac, The Principles of Quantum Mechanics — co-translator into Japanese (1954 et seq.)

Translations of Works

  • Quantum Mechanics — English edition (1962)
  • The Story of Spin — English edition (1998)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Clear, accessible expositionWitty, anecdotal toneEmphasis on theoretical rigor
Recurring Motifs
Understanding physics through observation of natureScientists' social responsibilityJapanese cultural touches (rakugo, essays)

Health

  • Laryngeal cancer
    1978-1979
    Underwent surgery in 1978 resulting in loss of voice; cancer recurred in 1979 leading to his death.

Legacy

Made decisive contributions to the development of quantum electrodynamics, including formulation of renormalization theory. As an educator and popularizer he contributed greatly to the development of physics in Japan. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1965 and widely recognized internationally.

Academic Societies

  • Japan Academy
  • Science Council of Japan

Archives

  • Kyoto University (holding related materials)
  • RIKEN (holding related materials)

In Popular Culture

  • A young Tomonaga has been used as a model for characters in some plays and dramatic works.

Quotes

  • Receiving the Nobel Prize is literally 'a bone-breaking' experience.
    Source: Personal essay / memoir (referenced in commentary)
  • Philosophy is rather difficult for me; I really cannot get to grips with it.
    Source: Memoirs / interview

Trivia

  • Named an honorary citizen of Musashino City.
  • Suffered a broken rib around the time of the 1965 Nobel ceremony and could not attend in Stockholm; received the award at the Swedish Embassy in Tokyo.
  • Had a playful side — once performed rakugo in German.
  • His remains are interred at Higashi Honganji in Kyoto, with a portion also at Tama Cemetery.