Tadamichi Kamaya

Kamaya Chūdō
Born	1862 Yonezawa, Japan
Died	1939-01-19
Occupation(s)	Vice Admiral, Banking executive
Years active	1884–1915 (military)
Known for	Commanding Sado Maru in the Battle of Tsushima; Chairman of Asahi Shinkin Bank

, also referred to as Kamaya Chūdō, was a distinguished Japanese Vice Admiral and banking executive recognized for his significant contributions during the First Sino-Japanese War and the Russo-Japanese War. He commanded the Sado Maru in the Battle of Tsushima and later held the position of chairman at the Asahi Shinkin Bank.

Military education and early career

Born in 1862 in Yonezawa, Kamaya completed his studies at the 11th class of the Imperial Japanese Naval Academy on December 22, 1884. His younger sibling, Rokuro Kamaya, graduated from the 14th class and enlisted in the Marine Corps, which later became known as the Yonezawa Navy. Kamaya focused on torpedo warfare, serving as an instructor at the torpedo training facility and leading torpedo teams.

Signaling improvements

In 1889, while holding the rank of second lieutenant aboard the Fusō, Kamaya became aware that Ryokitsu Arima was developing a novel flag signaling system utilizing katakana strokes to replace traditional signals. Building on this concept, Kamaya devised a streamlined hand flag signaling method based on katakana strokes. He also investigated adapting "kasa signals," a communication technique employed by local sailors near his hometown, to enhance naval signaling methods. These hand flag signals were officially adopted by the Imperial Japanese Navy in 1889 and subsequently by the Imperial Japanese Army four years later. They became a fundamental part of all naval officer training and demonstrated their effectiveness during the First Sino-Japanese War.

First Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese Wars

In June 1894, Kamaya was appointed as a staff officer for the Standing Fleet. Anticipating the outbreak of the First Sino-Japanese War, under the command of Sukeyuki Itō, Japan established its first Combined Fleet in July, where Kamaya served on the staff of the 1st Guerrilla Unit alongside Shizuka Nakamura. During the initial phase of the Russo-Japanese War, Kamaya took part in the Battle of the Yellow Sea, receiving the Order of the Golden Kite, 5th Class for his service.

On May 15, 1904, he assumed command of the Tatsuta, assigned to the 1st Squadron led by Baron Tokioki Nashiba, tasked with guarding Port Arthur during its blockade against the Russian Pacific Squadron. This squadron included battleships Hatsuse, Yashima, Shikishima, and cruiser Kasagi. After Hatsuse and Yashima struck mines deployed by Amur and sank, Kamaya successfully rescued 214 crew members, including Commander Nashiba, while defending against Russian destroyer attacks. Despite concerns regarding submarine dangers, Masanori Ito commended Kamaya's actions as "the success of Daido." Later, Tatsuta ran aground due to fog but was refloated under Isao Miura’s direction. Following repairs at Yokosuka Naval Arsenal, she resumed blockade duties until Port Arthur's capture in January 1905. Some naval officials questioned Kamaya's decision to prioritize rescue operations over safeguarding Tatsuta, but he adhered to orders that ultimately ensured her survival.

Kamaya subsequently captained the cruiser Sado Maru during the 1905 Battle of Tsushima. On May 23, while patrolling, Sado Maru mistakenly identified an approaching fleet as Japan's Third Fleet; however, it was actually the Baltic Fleet, which was correctly spotted on May 27 by Shinano Maru. During combat, Kamaya located the sinking Russian cruiser Admiral Nakhimov, whose crew had abandoned ship. He coordinated rescue efforts with Shiranui to save survivors and dispatched Captain Sukejiro Inuzuka to seize control of the vessel; however, it was ultimately abandoned due to its damaged state. When Russian vessels Vladimir Monomakh and Gromky appeared, they were pursued and shelled by Japanese forces; Vladimir Monomakh surrendered. Kamaya accommodated its crew aboard Sado Maru, which was filled with 523 rescued sailors from Admiral Nakhimov. He then summoned Manshū to transfer 406 crew members from Vladimir Monomakh.

Following Tsushima, Kamaya commanded the coastal defense ship Okinoshima, a former Russian vessel captured during battle, participating in operations during the Japanese invasion of Sakhalin.

Later career

Following the conclusion of the war, Kamaya was appointed military attaché to the Chinese Legation starting in December and departed from the Imperial Japanese Navy General Staff by June 1906. He took command of the Nisshin in October and subsequently led the Izumo beginning in August 1907. Beginning February 1908, he served as Chief of Staff for the Ōminato Guard District, later assuming command of the Hizen in July and overseeing the Sasebo Naval District from December onward. In December 1909, Kamaya returned to Yokosuka Naval Arsenal as torpedo commander. He earned promotion to Rear Admiral and was appointed Chief of Staff at the Lushun Naval District in December 1910. His career also included roles as Chief of Staff for the Yokosuka Naval District, commander of the Sasebo Reserve Fleet in July 1912, Fleet Commander of the Sasebo Naval District from April 1913, and leader of the Mako Guard District starting December 1913. Elevated to Vice Admiral in 1913, he retired on December 1, 1915. After leaving naval service, Kamaya entered the banking industry and eventually held the position of Chairman at Asahi Shinkin Bank. He died on January 19, 1939; among those attending his funeral was Kamiizumi Tokuya.

Court Ranks

• Junior Seventh Rank (December 16, 1891)
• Senior Sixth Rank (November 1, 1899)
• Junior Fifth Rank (November 11, 1904)
• Senior Fifth Rank (December 19, 1910)
• Junior Fourth Rank (January 11, 1915)
• Senior Fourth Rank (December 28, 1915)

Awards

• Commemorative Medal for the Imperial Constitution Promulgation (November 29, 1889)
• Order of the Sacred Treasure, 6th Class (November 18, 1895)
• Order of the Golden Kite, 5th Class (November 18, 1895)
• Military Medal of Honor (November 18, 1895)
• Order of the Rising Sun, 5th Class (June 26, 1896)
• Order of the Sacred Treasure, 4th Class (May 16, 1903)
• Commemorative Medal of the Crown Prince's Visit to Korea (April 18, 1909)
• Order of the Sacred Treasure, 2nd Class (May 16, 1914)
• Taishō Commemorative Medal (November 10, 1915)