Mitsutaro Shirai

He was the first president of the Phytopathology Society of Japan and emeritus professor of plant pathology, College of Agriculture, The University of Tokyo.

Shirai made great contributions to Japanese mycology and plant pathology at his time.

[2] He is also known for his contributions to the history of natural studies in Japan using his private collection of traditional Japanese and Chinese manuscripts and books.

His Li Shizhen's Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) is now part of the Omori Collection of the Kyoto Botanical Garden.

He began his professional career as teacher of forest botany and plant pathology in the University of Tokyo in 1886.