Tatsuya Ozeki (小関 竜也, Ozeki Tatsuya; born July 24, 1976 in Sano, Tochigi, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball…Tatsuya Ozeki (小関 竜也, Ozeki Tatsuya; born July 24, 1976 in Sano, Tochigi, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball player. Mai Ozeki, his daughter, was one of the members of female idol group Country Girls.
Makoto Azuma (東 信, Azuma Makoto; born July 24, 1976) is a Japanese flower artist, botanical sculptor, and co-founder of…Makoto Azuma (東 信, Azuma Makoto; born July 24, 1976) is a Japanese flower artist, botanical sculptor, and co-founder of JARDINS des FLEURS.
Naoto Suenaga (末永直登, Suenaga Naoto; born 23 July 1976, Kagoshima Prefecture) is a retired Japanese professional…Naoto Suenaga (末永直登, Suenaga Naoto; born 23 July 1976, Kagoshima Prefecture) is a retired Japanese professional drifting driver and the older brother of D1 Grand Prix driver Masao Suenaga. He is known for competing in the D1 Grand Prix series for Team ORANGE. In addition to competitions, he teaches a drift school and formerly works for Ebisu Circuit. Suenaga is the 2008 D1 Street Legal champion, setting a record 5 win in a season.
Passion Yara (パッション屋良, Passhon Yara; born Chōbyō Yara (屋良 朝苗, Yara Chōbyō), July 23, 1976 in the city of Nago, Okinawa)…Passion Yara (パッション屋良, Passhon Yara; born Chōbyō Yara (屋良 朝苗, Yara Chōbyō), July 23, 1976 in the city of Nago, Okinawa) is a Japanese comedian. He is perhaps best known for the angry, passionate chest-beating in his comedy routine. Passion Yara graduated from Kokushikan University's physical education department with the intention of becoming an educator. He is well-built, at 86 kg and 180 cm, and is capable of bench-pressing 160 kg. He enjoys bowling, darts, muscle training, touring, MTV, and canoeing. Yara has appeared on a variety of Japanese comedy-related TV shows and competitions in Japan, typically wearing a tight-fitting white gym outfit with an embroidered letter "P" on the collared shirt. His routine generally includes fits of maniacal, single-fisted chest-beating, for which he has gained some measure of notoriety. His act has been parodied by another Japanese comedian using the stage name "Dark Yara". Passion Yara performed his chest-beating act and other dance moves on the J-ska band Yum!Yum!ORANGE's music video for the song "Clover". Yara has also performed as a competitor on Sasuke (known in the United States as Ninja Warrior), having entered at least two competitions, the 16th and 21st. In the 16th competition, he entertained spectators with his chest-beating before succumbing to the Rolling Log obstacle early in Stage 1. Ninja Warrior later declared him to be the 5th craziest competitor in the history of the event, referring to him in an aired segment as "Screaming Wacko". In the 21st competition, he surpassed his previous performance by reaching the Jumping Spider in Stage 1, where he subsequently fell and was eliminated.
Yōsuke Kobayashi (小林 洋輔, Kobayashi Yōsuke; born July 22, 1976), is a Japanese professional wrestler best known by his…Yōsuke Kobayashi (小林 洋輔, Kobayashi Yōsuke; born July 22, 1976), is a Japanese professional wrestler best known by his ring name Abdullah Kobayashi (アブドーラ・小林, Abudōra Kobayashi) after Abdullah the Butcher, who was one of his trainers.
Akihiro Kasamatsu (笠松 昭宏, Kasamatsu Akihiro; born 22 July 1976) is a Japanese gymnast. In the 1998 Asian Games, he won…Akihiro Kasamatsu (笠松 昭宏, Kasamatsu Akihiro; born 22 July 1976) is a Japanese gymnast. In the 1998 Asian Games, he won a bronze medal in the team event. He competed at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Akiko Yoshida (吉田亜紀子, Yoshida Akiko; born July 22, 1976) is a Japanese singer and songwriter performing under the stage…Akiko Yoshida (吉田亜紀子, Yoshida Akiko; born July 22, 1976) is a Japanese singer and songwriter performing under the stage name Kokia (styled KOKIA). Her most well known songs are "Arigatō..." (ありがとう..., Thank You) (which reached number 2 in Hong Kong when it was covered by Sammi Cheng) and "The Power of Smile" (which topped at No. 8 in the singles chart). She is also recognized for her numerous contributions to anime/game soundtracks, the most notable being "Ai no Melody/Chōwa Oto (With Reflection)" for the film Origin: Spirits of the Past, "Follow the Nightingale" for the game Tales of Innocence, "Tatta Hitotsu no Omoi" for the anime Gunslinger Girl: Il Teatrino, "Dance of the Spirits" for the anime The Ancient Magus' Bride and "For Little Tail" for the game Tail Concerto. Kokia often performs in Europe, basing her activities in Paris and releasing music through Wasabi Records, a subsidiary of Kazé.
Hanawa (はなわ; born 20 July 1976) is a Japanese singer and comedian raised in Saga City. He began his career in 1997…Hanawa (はなわ; born 20 July 1976) is a Japanese singer and comedian raised in Saga City. He began his career in 1997 going throughout the 2000s distinguishing himself by use of his bass guitar throughout comedy acts. He rose to fame in Japan during 2003 for a comical song about Saga Prefecture and its oddities. By the end of the year he would appear on NHK's 54th annual Red and White singing contest. Following this exposure, his music would be picked up for commercials and as company songs. He continued to produce more of his own music while also working alongside groups such as Fudanjuku.
Yoshiaki Oiwa (大岩 義明, Ōiwa Yoshiaki; born 19 July 1976) is a Japanese equestrian. "Yoshi", as he is known, began riding…Yoshiaki Oiwa (大岩 義明, Ōiwa Yoshiaki; born 19 July 1976) is a Japanese equestrian. "Yoshi", as he is known, began riding as a junior high school student and took up eventing at University. In 2001 Yoshi he moved to the UK in order to pursue eventing trained by Andrew Hoy and in 2009 he moved to Germany. He now trains with German rider Dirk Schrade. He earned Best Equestrian Athlete; award at the Japanese sports awards in 2005, ’07 and ’11. Yoshi comes from a family of Olympians; his aunt was an international figure skater and is now an Olympic judge and his uncle won a silver medal in swimming at the Rome Olympic Games.
Yugo Tsukita (附田雄剛, Tsukita Yūgo; born July 18, 1976 in Ishikari) is a Japanese freestyle skier, specializing in…Yugo Tsukita (附田雄剛, Tsukita Yūgo; born July 18, 1976 in Ishikari) is a Japanese freestyle skier, specializing in moguls. Tsukita competed at the 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympics for Japan. His best performance came in 2002, when he qualified for the moguls final, finishing 16th. He also advanced to the final in 2010, finishing 17th. In 1998, he finished 18th in the qualifying round, and did not advance. In 2006, he finished 33rd in the qualifying round, and did not advance. As of February 2013, he has won one medal at the World Championships, a silver in the 2003 dual moguls event. Tsukita made his World Cup debut in January 1995. As of February 2013, he has won one World Cup event, a Dual Moguls competition at Madarao in 1999/00. Altogether, he has eleven World Cup medals, his first coming at Blackcomb in 1996/97. His best World Cup finish is 10th, in 2008/09.
Daito Manabe (Japanese: 真鍋 大度, Hepburn: Manabe Daito) (born 1976) is a Japanese media artist, programmer, engineer, and…Daito Manabe (Japanese: 真鍋 大度, Hepburn: Manabe Daito) (born 1976) is a Japanese media artist, programmer, engineer, and DJ who creates artwork and interactive installations that utilize contemporary technologies such as virtual reality as well as prominent use of light and sound. He founded Rhizomatiks in 2006 after graduating from the University of Tokyo. His work with Rhizomatiks includes collaborations with Perfume, Björk, Nike, Honda and an augmented reality computer graphics display at the closing ceremony of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In 2016 Manabe collaborated with American artist Nosaj Thing to create a touring show featuring real-time augmented reality visuals using multiple Kinect cameras on stage. The debut performance at Coachella Festival was described by Pitchfork Magazine as "runaway winner for best visual production" and was billed by Sónar Festival as "extremely captivating, technologically advanced, show of inordinate beauty". Manabe won the 2016 Mainichi Design Award In 2023 Manabe collaborated with two-time Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu in the creation of his solo ice show production Gift, the first figure skating event to be held at Tokyo Dome.
Masako Chiba (千葉 真子, Chiba Masako; born 18 July 1976 in Uji, Kyoto) is a Japanese long-distance runner, who won the…Masako Chiba (千葉 真子, Chiba Masako; born 18 July 1976 in Uji, Kyoto) is a Japanese long-distance runner, who won the bronze medal in 10,000 metres at the 1997 World Championships in Athens and in the marathon race at the 2003 World Championships in Paris. Chiba was a torchbearer during the 1998 Nagano Olympics Opening Ceremony.
Tatsunori Ibayashi (井林辰憲, Ibayashi Tatsunori; born 18 July 1976) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the…Tatsunori Ibayashi (井林辰憲, Ibayashi Tatsunori; born 18 July 1976) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Representatives since 2012. From 2024 to 2025, he served as chairman of the finance committee.
Yoshinori Tashiro (Japanese: 田代 良徳, Tashiro Yoshinori), also known by his ring name or shikona of Tōōyama Katsunori…Yoshinori Tashiro (Japanese: 田代 良徳, Tashiro Yoshinori), also known by his ring name or shikona of Tōōyama Katsunori (Japanese: 東桜山 勝徳), is a Japanese retired sumo wrestler and actor from Hachiōji, Tokyo. While an active sumo wrestler (rikishi), he wrestled for the Tamanoi sumo stable and made his debut in January 1999. He won the championship of the lowest division of jonokuchi in March 1999. In November 2002 he was promoted to his highest career rank of makushita 7. He retired from active competition in September 2007.
Shunketsu Yūji (born July 13, 1976 as Yūji Ishide) is a former sumo wrestler from Misato, Saitama, Japan. The highest…Shunketsu Yūji (born July 13, 1976 as Yūji Ishide) is a former sumo wrestler from Misato, Saitama, Japan. The highest rank he reached was maegashira 12.
Ryoji Aikawa (相川 亮二, Aikawa Ryōji; born July 11, 1976) is a Japanese former professional baseball catcher who currently…Ryoji Aikawa (相川 亮二, Aikawa Ryōji; born July 11, 1976) is a Japanese former professional baseball catcher who currently serves as the manager for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He played in NPB for the BayStars, Tokyo Yakult Swallows, and Yomiuri Giants from 1995 to 2017.
Kenichi Yamamoto (山本 喧一, Yamamoto Ken'ichi) (born June 11, 1976) is a Japanese mixed martial artist and professional…Kenichi Yamamoto (山本 喧一, Yamamoto Ken'ichi) (born June 11, 1976) is a Japanese mixed martial artist and professional wrestler. Known for his pro wrestling career in UWF International, Yamamoto also competed against some of the best MMA fighters of his era in RINGS, Pride and the UFC, taking on Kevin Randleman, Genki Sudo and Pat Miletich, among others. In 1999, Yamamoto won the UFC 23 Middleweight Tournament in Japan. He returned to the ring against former Light Heavyweight King Of Pancrase Keiichiro Yamamiya on October 27, 2012. He lost via unanimous decision. Following his combat sports career, Yamamoto now works as an MMA coach.
Hideki Nanba (難波 英樹, Nanba Hideki), born 14 October 1974 in Yamanashi Prefecture, is a Japanese former rugby union…Hideki Nanba (難波 英樹, Nanba Hideki), born 14 October 1974 in Yamanashi Prefecture, is a Japanese former rugby union player. He played as centre.
Seiichi Suzuki (鈴木 誠一, Suzuki Seiichi; born July 8, 1976 in Tokyo) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater. He…Seiichi Suzuki (鈴木 誠一, Suzuki Seiichi; born July 8, 1976 in Tokyo) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater. He is the 1995 World Junior bronze medalist and Japanese national bronze medalist. Suzuki graduated from Meiji University. After retiring from competition, he skated for Prince Hotels and became a coach.
Yuko Yamagata (山縣優子, Yamagata Yūko) better known by her ring name Yuu Yamagata (山縣優, Yamagata Yuu) is a Japanese…Yuko Yamagata (山縣優子, Yamagata Yūko) better known by her ring name Yuu Yamagata (山縣優, Yamagata Yuu) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working as a freelancer and is best known for her tenure with the Japanese promotions Kaientai Dojo and Pro Wrestling Wave.
Keitaro Izawa (伊澤 啓太郎, Izawa Keitarō; born July 4, 1976), better known by his stage name Ichiyo Izawa (伊澤 一葉, Izawa…Keitaro Izawa (伊澤 啓太郎, Izawa Keitarō; born July 4, 1976), better known by his stage name Ichiyo Izawa (伊澤 一葉, Izawa Ichiyō) is a Japanese pianist, vocalist and songwriter, best known for his work in the Ringo Sheena-helmed band Tokyo Jihen. He is also the lead vocalist and pianist of the band Appa.
Daijiro Kato (加藤 大治郎, Katō Daijirō; 4 July 1976 – 20 April 2003) was a Japanese Grand Prix motorcycle road racer, the…Daijiro Kato (加藤 大治郎, Katō Daijirō; 4 July 1976 – 20 April 2003) was a Japanese Grand Prix motorcycle road racer, the 2001 250cc world champion, and the 2000 and 2002 Suzuka 8 Hours winner. He died as a result of injuries sustained after a crash during the 2003 Japanese motorcycle Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit, Japan.
Kon Fujimura (藤村 昆, Fujimura Kon; born July 2, 1976, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), known for his stage name Kon Arimura…Kon Fujimura (藤村 昆, Fujimura Kon; born July 2, 1976, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), known for his stage name Kon Arimura (有村 昆, Arimura Kon) is a Japanese radio personality, film critic, and film commentator who is represented by the talent agency Horipro. He is nicknamed Arikon (アリコン). From 2012 to 2021, his wife was television caster Izumi Maruoka.
Masayoshi Yokoyama (横山 昌義 Yokoyama Masayoshi, born June 30, 1976) is a Japanese game producer, director and writer for…Masayoshi Yokoyama (横山 昌義 Yokoyama Masayoshi, born June 30, 1976) is a Japanese game producer, director and writer for Sega, more specifically Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, a studio within Sega Development Division 1, where he's been the head of the division and studio since 2021. He is mainly known for his work on the Yakuza series, where he has been working since the very beginning as a writer, and later on as a producer.
Ryohei Endo (遠藤 良平, Endō Ryōhei) is a Japanese former baseball professional baseball player. He played for the Nippon…Ryohei Endo (遠藤 良平, Endō Ryōhei) is a Japanese former baseball professional baseball player. He played for the Nippon Ham Fighters in the Pacific League.
Hidehiro Mitani (三谷英弘, Mitani Hidehiro; born 28 June 1976) is a Japanese politician. He has been a member of the House…Hidehiro Mitani (三谷英弘, Mitani Hidehiro; born 28 June 1976) is a Japanese politician. He has been a member of the House of Representatives since 2017, having previously served from 2012 to 2014. Until 2014, he was a member of Your Party.
Mayumi Asano (浅野真弓, Asano Mayumi; born 27 June 1976) is a Japanese archer. She competed in the women's individual event…Mayumi Asano (浅野真弓, Asano Mayumi; born 27 June 1976) is a Japanese archer. She competed in the women's individual event at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Taizo Sugitani (杉谷 泰造, Sugitani Taizō; born 27 June 1976 in Izumi, Japan) is a Japanese Olympic show jumping rider.…Taizo Sugitani (杉谷 泰造, Sugitani Taizō; born 27 June 1976 in Izumi, Japan) is a Japanese Olympic show jumping rider. Representing Japan, he competed in seven Summer Olympics (in 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2024). By competing in Paris 2024 he became the first Japanese athlete to compete in seven Summer Olympics. He placed 11th in team jumping in 2000. Meanwhile, his current best individual Olympic placement is 15th place from Athens in 2004. He is the son of the Olympic rider and riding club owner Masayu Sugitani. After graduating from Canadian Academy in Kobe in 1996, he moved to the Netherlands to get coached by former Dutch champion Henk Nooren. Sugitani also competed at six editions World Equestrian Games (each edition from 1994 to 2014) and at two editions of Show Jumping World Cup finals (in 2000 and 2007). In 2010, he was 10th place at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky. Sugitani won two bronze medals at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.
Hidetaka Yamada (山田 英孝, Yamada Hidetaka; born June 22, 1976 in Hyogo, Japan) is a male badminton player from Japan.…Hidetaka Yamada (山田 英孝, Yamada Hidetaka; born June 22, 1976 in Hyogo, Japan) is a male badminton player from Japan. Yamada played badminton at the 2000 Summer Olympics and 2004 Summer Olympics in men's singles, losing in the round of 32 to Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia in both times.
Yoichi Fukazawa (深澤陽一, Fukazawa Yoichi; born 21 June 1976) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of…Yoichi Fukazawa (深澤陽一, Fukazawa Yoichi; born 21 June 1976) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Representatives since 2020. From 2011 to 2020, he was a member of the Shizuoka Prefectural Assembly.
Riichiro Inagaki (Japanese: 稲垣 理一郎, Hepburn: Inagaki Riichirō; born June 20, 1976) is a Japanese manga writer from…Riichiro Inagaki (Japanese: 稲垣 理一郎, Hepburn: Inagaki Riichirō; born June 20, 1976) is a Japanese manga writer from Tokyo. He started his career in 2001 publishing works for Shogakukan's magazine Big Comic Spirits. After three one-shots, he moved to Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump, in which he started the work he is best known for, Eyeshield 21. In collaboration with the artist Yusuke Murata, Eyeshield 21 was serialized between July 2002 and June 2009 in Weekly Shōnen Jump. Between 2010 and 2015, Inagaki collaborated with several artists, including Bonjae, Katsunori Matsui, and Ryoichi Ikegami, and published one-shots in different magazines. He started a new series titled Dr. Stone in Weekly Shōnen Jump in 2017, in collaboration with Boichi. He has 3 children with Orie Kimoto.
Takashi Hatakeyama (畠山 貴志, Hatakeyama Takashi; born June 18, 1976), better known by his stage name Kreva, is a Japanese…Takashi Hatakeyama (畠山 貴志, Hatakeyama Takashi; born June 18, 1976), better known by his stage name Kreva, is a Japanese rapper and record producer signed with the Burger Inn Records and Pony Canyon's Knife Edge labels. He is a solo artist as well as a member of various hip hop groups, including Kick the Can Crew, By Phar the Dopest with fellow MC Cuezero, and a large ensemble of other Japanese hip hop groups in Funky Grammar Unit. His stage name is derived from the English word "clever".
Akinori Nishizawa (西澤 明訓, Nishizawa Akinori; born 18 June 1976) is a Japanese former footballer who played as a…Akinori Nishizawa (西澤 明訓, Nishizawa Akinori; born 18 June 1976) is a Japanese former footballer who played as a forward. He played for Japan national team.
Tatsuhiko Kubo (久保 竜彦, Kubo Tatsuhiko; born June 18, 1976) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan…Tatsuhiko Kubo (久保 竜彦, Kubo Tatsuhiko; born June 18, 1976) is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Takanotsuru Shinichi (born 18 June 1976 as Shinichi Sekiyama) is a former sumo wrestler from Izumi, Kagoshima, Japan.…Takanotsuru Shinichi (born 18 June 1976 as Shinichi Sekiyama) is a former sumo wrestler from Izumi, Kagoshima, Japan. He made his professional debut in March 1992, and reached the top division in January 2003. His highest rank was maegashira 8. He retired in May 2006 and became an elder in the Japan Sumo Association coaching at Naruto stable.
Akihito Fujii (藤井 彰人, Fujii Akihito; born June 18, 1976) is a Japanese former professional baseball catcher and current…Akihito Fujii (藤井 彰人, Fujii Akihito; born June 18, 1976) is a Japanese former professional baseball catcher and current coach for the Hanshin Tigers in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He previously played for the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes from 1999 to 2004 and the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles from 2005 to 2010 and the Tigers from 2011 to 2015.
Kuniyoshi Hironaka (Japanese: 弘中邦佳, Hironaka Kuniyoshi; born June 17, 1976) is a Japanese mixed martial artist who…Kuniyoshi Hironaka (Japanese: 弘中邦佳, Hironaka Kuniyoshi; born June 17, 1976) is a Japanese mixed martial artist who competes in the Lightweight division. He has formerly competed for the UFC, Shooto, DREAM, and Pancrase.
Shigenobu Shima (嶋 重宣, born June 16, 1976, in Kamifukuoka, Saitama, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball…Shigenobu Shima (嶋 重宣, born June 16, 1976, in Kamifukuoka, Saitama, Japan) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball outfielder.
Soichiro Minami (born 1975/1976) is a Japanese businessman and billionaire who founded job search and human resources…Soichiro Minami (born 1975/1976) is a Japanese businessman and billionaire who founded job search and human resources software firm Visional. He is a graduate of Tufts University with a double major in economics and international relations. Minami lives in Tokyo, Japan. Forbes lists his net worth as of April 2022 at $1.1 billion USD.
Takanobu Otsubo (大坪 隆誠, Otsubo Takanobu; born 15 June 1976) is a Japanese long-distance runner who specializes in the…Takanobu Otsubo (大坪 隆誠, Otsubo Takanobu; born 15 June 1976) is a Japanese long-distance runner who specializes in the half marathon and ekiden. He finished seventeenth at the 2005 World Half Marathon Championships, which was good enough to help Japan finish third in the team competition. His personal best time is 1:01:55 hours, achieved in March 2005 in Yamaguchi. In the 10,000 metres his personal best time is 28:14.92 minutes, achieved in November 2005 in Hachiōji. He is a policeman from the Osaka Prefectural Police, and often referred to as the fastest running policeman in Japan.
Kuro Tanino (タニノクロウ) (born 1976) is a Japanese theatre director and playwright. Born into a family of psychiatrists…Kuro Tanino (タニノクロウ) (born 1976) is a Japanese theatre director and playwright. Born into a family of psychiatrists, Tanino also himself trained and worked as a psychiatrist before turning to theatre. He founded the theatre group Niwa Gekidan Penino (literally "garden theatre company Penino") in 2000, and he writes, directs and designs all productions. He is also a painter and sculptor. His plays are highly surrealistic, filled with bizarre characters and creatures, influenced by Juro Kara. He prefers to use storyboards to writing regular play texts. The design is often very meticulous and colorful, with strange, incongruous elements crammed into small spaces. Influenced by Marcel Duchamp's method of creating miniatures of his work and carrying them around with him, Tanino considers his sets and plays to be like fully formed pictures, arranging performers like parts of an installation or tableaux. His series of "Hakobune" (ark) plays were staged at his apartment and involved elaborate sets in spite of the cramped sizes. "Frustrating Picture Book for Adults" (2008) was later also staged in Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Finland, while "The Room, Nobody Knows" (2012) was performed in America in January 2014 and has also been staged in Europe. For "The Frustrating Picture Book for Adults" the stage was divided into upper and lower platforms, with the upper part inhabited by two old women, one with a pig’s face and the other with a sheep’s face. In the low-ceilinged room of the set, there is a log piercing the ceiling and another log that pierces the floor between the upper and lower levels. In the lower level a young man in student uniform was tied to one of the trees, causing him to ejaculate when the tree was stroked by the "pig" or the "sheep". They would then eat the white liquid that came out of the tree. "The Town Where the Sun and Underwear are seen" (2009) was staged at Festival/Tokyo 2009 Autumn, while "Box in the Big Trunk" (2013), which combined the three Hakobune productions into one "set", was performed in Tokyo and Kyoto. He has also directed adaptations of Ibsen and Chekhov.