The Man, Jiro Shirasu

My husband, who has loved Japanese history since he was a student, is especially fond of figures from around the Meiji Restoration. On his tours, he’s gone solo to visit the site of Yoshida Shoin’s Shoka Sonjuku Academy and the Katsurahama Beach in Kochi Prefecture, where the statue of Ryoma Sakamoto stands.

Actually, I also quite like stories from the Meiji Restoration and novels by Ryotaro Shiba, so I remember when my husband and I went out for our first meal together, we spent the entire time at the izakaya talking about historical greats. (Not exactly romantic, haha)

Among the figures who lived through the Showa era, my husband’s favorite is “Jiro Shirasu.” Shirasu is known as a key aide to Shigeru Yoshida during the postwar GHQ occupation of Japan. He was deeply involved in the establishment of the Japanese Constitution, served as chairman of Tohoku Electric Power and held executive roles in many companies. He was also a passionate car enthusiast and a Porsche lover.

*Image source: “Japan Was Once Beautiful”

My husband often says, “When I die, no funeral or posthumous Buddhist name needed,” and naturally, he has visited the former Shirasu residence, ‘Buaiso,’ too. lol

I only knew the name “Jiro Shirasu” but didn’t really know what he had done until a few years ago when NHK rebroadcast the special drama “Jiro Shirasu” (starring Yusuke Iseya).

Watching that drama, I thought, “Jiro Shirasu is unbelievably cool!”

The Mystery of Porsche Drivers

My husband has long said,

“Many Porsche drivers are fans of Jiro Shirasu.”

At first, I didn’t pay much attention, but recently I’ve seen posts on Facebook from Porsche owners saying things like “Visited Buaiso” or “Favorite book: Jiro Shirasu,” and I started to wonder:

Why is it that Porsche drivers (especially air-cooled Porsche fans) seem to be almost unanimously Jiro Shirasu fans?

Curious, I asked my husband why, and he said,

“Well, if you think of a great Japanese figure who loved Porsche passionately, it’s got to be Jiro Shirasu.”

But is that really the only reason so many Porsche drivers are captivated by Shirasu?

Captivated by Jiro Shirasu

I don’t know much about Jiro Shirasu, but it seems like people are drawn to “his very way of life.” There’s a sense of “this is a man’s man,” and I decided to explore, in my own way, why Porsche drivers are so attracted to Jiro Shirasu. (I’ve researched and written this myself, but some facts or opinions might differ. Please forgive any inaccuracies.)

1. Unwavering Principles, No Sycophancy

Whenever you research Jiro Shirasu, the word “principle” inevitably comes up. His wife Masako recalled that he was “constantly talking about principles every day.” Shirasu was a man who lived by “sticking to his beliefs.” (Hereafter, I’ll refer to him as Jiro.)

Jiro was so steadfast that the postwar GHQ called him “the only Japanese who would not be submissive.”

Even now, 70 years after the war, it’s not easy for Japan to say a clear “NO” to America. Yet, right after the war, when Japan was a defeated nation in a very weak position, Jiro faced GHQ and said “NO” directly. That’s truly remarkable.

I don’t have that kind of guts—I’d probably just say “Yes! Exactly!” and be completely at their mercy. lol

Also known as a golf enthusiast, Jiro devoted himself in his later years as “Chairman of the Karuizawa Golf Club.” There’s a famous story from that time:

When then-Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka’s office requested, “We want to play the course on Sunday with the American ambassador,” Jiro refused, saying, “Sunday is members-only.”

Here again, you see Jiro’s commitment to his principles. (Apparently, Tanaka later became a member of the Karuizawa Golf Club. lol)

It’s usually impossible to say “NO, principles are principles” to a prime minister. If it were me, I’d be fawning, saying “Of course, of course! I’ll even reserve the whole course for you!” lol

His refusal to bow to power, to flatter, and his unwavering adherence to his beliefs remain dazzlingly cool even today.

*Image source: Amazon “Japan Without Principles”

2. Not Bound by Titles or Social Status

After the war, Shirasu worked under Foreign Minister Shigeru Yoshida, leading negotiations with GHQ and playing a key role in postwar arrangements and the establishment of the Japanese Constitution. Even after Yoshida became prime minister, Jiro went to the U.S. and contributed to the signing of the San Francisco Peace Treaty.

Despite many major achievements, those around him strongly urged him to enter politics, but he declined. Instead, he lived a life of self-sufficiency farming in the countryside and also thrived as a businessman.

Come to think of it, Ryoma Sakamoto also, after achieving the return of political power to the emperor, reportedly said, “I want to travel abroad from now on” and did not include his name in the new government’s personnel list. Jiro Shirasu seems like a reincarnation of Ryoma Sakamoto.

People tend to be conscious of titles, status, and social standing to some degree and are bound by societal ties. Jiro was one of the rare Japanese who was not caught up in such things. What a cool way to live.

3. Cultured

Sticking to one’s beliefs can also mean being “stubborn and selfish.” But Jiro was not just stubborn; he had a foundation of “culture and education” that made his way of life stylish and cool.

Born into a wealthy family in Hyogo Prefecture, Jiro was well-bred despite his reckless nature. He had an English tutor from childhood and was fluent in English. After high school, he studied abroad at Cambridge University in England, acquiring international culture and sensibility.

I saw this story on a program or drama once:

In a certain Cambridge exam, Jiro studied hard and thought he wrote a perfect answer, but his score was very low. When he asked why, the teacher said, “Your answer has no original thought at all.” From then on, Jiro made it a point to always express his own opinions.

I think very few people in Japan at that time had such a mindset… or even now.

Jiro’s appointment as the frontline negotiator with GHQ and his success in that role were likely due in large part to “his experience studying abroad and understanding how Japanese should interact with foreigners.”

A cultured gentleman like Jiro, who carries himself with British-style refinement and sticks to his principles, naturally looks incredibly cool.

4. Handsome

The first thing that surprised me when I saw photos of Jiro Shirasu was his handsome, refined face. Calling him “good-looking” seems too casual—he was truly a strikingly handsome man.

Moreover, he was reportedly 180 cm tall. He took great care with his appearance, and in every photo, he looks as stylish as a model.

*Image source: Former Shirasu Residence Buaiso

They say “Heaven does not give two gifts,” but in Jiro’s case, I wonder, “How many gifts did heaven give him…”

If Jiro had been short and chubby (sorry for being presumptuous), would so many people have admired him? I think his striking looks are part of why so many are drawn to him.

5. He Chose Masako as His Wife

With such good looks, fluent English, culture, and a wealthy family background (though his father’s company later went bankrupt and they had hard times), he must have had his pick of women.

At that time in Japan, women were expected to walk one step behind men, and he might have chosen a beautiful, well-bred, home-oriented woman who supported her husband. But instead, he chose Masako, who was quite the opposite (though I don’t know Masako personally).

Masako is known as “the first woman to perform on a Noh stage where women were banned.” She studied in the U.S. at 14 and was a spirited, competitive woman who spent much time on sports.

They met when Masako was 18 and Jiro was 26. It was love at first sight for both. To choose such a strong-willed woman as his wife in that era is incredibly cool.

6. A Passionate Car Lover, Porsche Enthusiast

Jiro was known as an avid car lover. In Japan, he drove American luxury cars; while studying in England, he drove Bentleys and Bugattis, and on weekends, he took these cars to the racetrack to race.

He was truly wealthy… (*_*)

His friends called him the “Oily Boy.”

In his later years, the car he loved and drove most was the Porsche 911. Knowledgeable about cars, Jiro drove a 1968 Porsche 911S until he was 80 years old (he swapped the original 2L engine for the 2.4L engine used in 911S models from 1971 onward), and he would appear stylishly at the Karuizawa Golf Club.

His love for cars didn’t stop there. A famous story illustrates this well:

Toyota released the first Japanese car to break the 200 km/h barrier, the first-generation Soarer. Jiro Shirasu bought one and wrote a letter directly to the president with his feedback: “The steering wheel grip is too thick,” “The turning radius is too large,” “The power steering should be stronger.” As someone who modified cars himself, his advice was invaluable. He told the person in charge at the time, “Aim to make an irreplaceable car.” Amazingly, Jiro even donated his beloved Porsche 911 to Toyota for reference in their car development.
*Why Did Jiro Shirasu Give Up His Beloved Car?

Jiro passed away at 83 before the second-generation Soarer was completed, but wow, he’s just too cool—it makes me sigh.

*Image source: Former Shirasu Residence Buaiso

As I researched Jiro Shirasu, I found myself thinking, “I wish there were people like him in Japanese politics today…”

His Wife, Masako Shirasu

As a woman and wife, I also feel that “Jiro Shirasu was able to live by his principles in large part thanks to his wife Masako’s presence.”

I believe couples deeply influence each other, and Masako was also a person who lived true to herself and her own life. Her way of life surely gave Jiro great courage.

There are many forms of marriage, and any form is wonderful as long as both are happy. But I admire the Shirasu couple’s relationship of independence and mutual growth. I want to strive every day to become a woman even a little like Masako.

Ah, somehow I ended up talking about Masako more than Jiro. lol

*Article source: Former Shirasu Residence Buaiso