On April 7, 1904 (Meiji 37), around 6:35 AM, a sudden loud sound resembling thunder echoed through Imafuku, Tambasasayama City (at that time named Imafuku, Okano Village, Taki County). A nearby resident, Katsuzo Hata, (deceased) was startled by the sound and looked up at the sky, he witnessed an object falling onto the hillside behind a nearby temple. Together, with two others who were with him, they rushed up the hillside and searched the area, where they discovered a 20-centimeter-wide and 80-centimeter-deep hole at the base of an oak tree, that had been split open, with smoke rising from it. Mr. Hata and the others unearthed a black, stone-like object that was embedded in the hole with its pointed end facing upwards.
This black, stone-like object was taken to Professor Tadasu Hiki (deceased), the first professor at the Third Course of Mining Engineering, Kyoto Imperial University (now Kyoto University). Subsequent analysis revealed that it contained a high iron content of 94.85%, while nickel, which typically comprises about 7%, was only 4.44%. This led to the conclusion that it was a very rare meteorite, as it also lacked the beautiful patterns characteristic of the Widmanstätten structure. Professor Hiki named the rock, “Meteorite Okano.”
“Meteorite Okano”stored at Kyoto University Museum
Rocks that fall to Earth from space are collectively referred to as “meteorites,” and they are classified based on their composition into “stony meteorites,” “stony-iron meteorites,” and “iron meteorites (meteoric iron).” The “Meteorite Okano” is “meteoric iron” due to its very high iron content. As a side note, the kanji “隕” is associated with meanings related to “falling” or “descending.”
The “Meteorite Okano” is currently stored at the Kyoto University Museum. Additionally, fragments that were cut for research purposes are also stored at the Natural History Museum, London, UK, and the Field Museum, Chicago, USA.
At the local Okano Elementary School as part of their hometown education initiatives, students have regularly learned about the globally significant fall of the meteorite. Since 2018 (Heisei 30), fourth graders have been presenting what they learned at a study presentation event. The Okano Hometown Development Council with the understanding and cooperation of the Imafuku Neighborhood Association and landowners, utilized subsidies from Hyogo Prefecture and Tambasasayama City to carry out the “Okano Meteorite Fall Site Improvement Project.” The project aims to preserve the legacy of the “Meteorite Okano” for future generations it includes the establishment of a monument, installation of stairs, and the placement of informational and explanatory notice boards.
Additionally, donations from the Sasayama Astronomical Club, which at the time celebrated its 30th anniversary, were also utilized for this project.
March 2021(Reiwa 3) Okano Hometown Development Council
