Narahara Sanji
Narahara Sanji (1876- ). Early aviator.
Born in 1876, was an aviation pioneer in Japan who designed and attempted to fly an aircraft in 1910, but, the machine, known as the Narahara No.1 was not sufficiently powered, utilizing a 25hp Anzani engine, and only achieved an altitude of 30cm ... The second aircraft designed, the Narahara No.2 Aeroplane made use of a 50hp Gnome engine and on the 5th of May, 1911, flew about 60m at 4m altitude ... thus being the first Japanese built aeroplane to fly. A third design, yes, the Narahara No.3 Aeroplane was successful as was the Narahara No.4 Aeroplane, the Ohtori-go.
Familial pressure induced Narahara to give up flying and ultimately to cease designing and building aircraft as well, however, not before the aviator was granted a special distinction by the Imperial House.
Korean historians claim that Lieutenant Narahara of the Japanese navy in the summer of 1913 was the first to fly in Korea when he tested his airplane over the fields near Yongsan, Seoul.
5 May 1911. Baron Sandji Narahara flies a biplane to 196 feet with a 50 horse-power Gnome engine