Named in honor of Kazutada Masamura (1920–1998), the secretary of the Oriental Astronomical Association (O.A.A.). Masamura has been observing sunspots since 1935 and has made a great effort to diffuse astronomical knowledge. In addition to establishing the Gifu Astronomical Observatory in 1971, Masamura provides financial assistance for awards given by the O.A.A. to Japanese amateur discoverers of comets, novae and minor planets. (M 19697) _ _.