Tsuneari Fukuda (25 August 1912 – 20 November 1994) was a Japanese playwright, translator, literary critic and public…
Tsuneari Fukuda (25 August 1912 – 20 November 1994) was a Japanese playwright, translator, literary critic and public intellectual. Born in Tokyo to a working-class family, Fukuda read English literature at Tokyo Imperial University. A scholar of D. H. Lawrence, he found his voice as a critic by contributing to literary magazines. Interested in theatre from a young age, Fukuda became associated with the shingeki genre of contemporary theatre, writing and producing numerous original plays, including The Man Who Stroked the Dragon (1952) and The Fuhrer is Still Alive! (1970), for which he was awarded the Yomiuri Prize and Grand Prize for Japanese Literature respectively. From the 1950s, he began a life-long endeavour to translate William Shakespeare's work into Japanese. He staged successful productions of these translations, starting with Hamlet in 1955, which set off a Shakespeare boom in Japan. Originally associated with the Bungakuza theatre company, he later broke away to found the Kumo and Subaru companies in 1963 and 1975 respectively. A contributor to popular magazines such as Bungei Shunjū, Chūō Kōron, and Shokun!, Fukuda became well-known to the Japanese public as a conservative intellectual from the 1950s. He opposed the post-war Japanese script reform, and was awarded another Yomiuri Prize for his book on the subject, My Japanese Language Classroom (1960). He criticised left-wing movements, such as the Anpo protests, and questioned the dominance of pacifism in post-war Japan. A supporter of individual liberty and freedom of expression, he rejected the politicisation of art, and expressed doubts about Japanese modernisation. From 1969, he began teaching at Kyoto Sangyo University, and in 1981, he became a member of the Japan Art Academy. After suffering more than a decade of declining health, he died at Ōiso in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1994.
Famous People Born under Virgo
Virgo: 1,989 people
Jirō Shiizaki (椎崎 二郎, Shiizaki Jirō; 30 September 1911 – 15 August 1945) was a lieutenant colonel in the Imperial…
Jirō Shiizaki (椎崎 二郎, Shiizaki Jirō; 30 September 1911 – 15 August 1945) was a lieutenant colonel in the Imperial Japanese Army in World War II. He served as a member of the staff of the domestic affairs section of the Military Affairs Bureau's War Affairs Section. Shiizaki was one of several members of that staff to participate in a coup (the Kyūjō incident) in the early morning of 15 August 1945, the day the Emperor would declare Japan's surrender. The coup was organized primarily by Major Kenji Hatanaka, and though quite a number of men were involved in the plot at one point or another, Shiizaki was one of the few to be involved in the climactic action; the rebels, with the help of the First Imperial Guard Division, seized the Imperial Palace, essentially held emperor Hirohito under house arrest, and sought to destroy the phonographic recordings which had been made of the emperor's surrender speech. Around seven o'clock on the morning of August 15, the plot began to fall apart. General Shizuichi Tanaka, commander of the Eastern District Army, arrived at the Palace and harangued the conspirators on their duty to their country, and demanding that the dishonor brought by their treason could only be absolved through seppuku. Shiizaki, along with a number of others, committed ritual suicide that morning, on the grounds of the Imperial Palace.
Miyoji Ieki (家城巳代治, Ieki Miyoji; 10 September 1911 – 22 February 1976) was a Japanese film director and screenwriter.…
Miyoji Ieki (家城巳代治, Ieki Miyoji; 10 September 1911 – 22 February 1976) was a Japanese film director and screenwriter. He often made adolescents the protagonists of his films, which addressed political themes through personal drama. His most noted works include Stepbrothers (1957) and Naked Sun (1958).
Kōzaburō Yoshimura (吉村 公三郎, Yoshimura Kōzaburō; 9 September 1911 – 7 November 2000) was a Japanese film director.
Yoshie Katsurada (Japanese: 桂田 芳枝, 3 September 1911 – 10 May 1980) was a Japanese mathematician specializing in…
Yoshie Katsurada (Japanese: 桂田 芳枝, 3 September 1911 – 10 May 1980) was a Japanese mathematician specializing in differential geometry. She became the first Japanese woman to earn a doctorate in mathematics, in 1950, and the first to obtain an imperial university professorship in mathematics, in 1967.
Kōmei Abe (安部幸明, Abe Kōmei; 1 September 1911 – 28 December 2006) was a neo-classical Japanese composer who specialized…
Kōmei Abe (安部幸明, Abe Kōmei; 1 September 1911 – 28 December 2006) was a neo-classical Japanese composer who specialized in string quartets. He performed both as cellist and clarinetist.
Shizuo Kakutani (角谷 静夫, Kakutani Shizuo; August 28, 1911 – August 17, 2004) was a Japanese and American mathematician…
Shizuo Kakutani (角谷 静夫, Kakutani Shizuo; August 28, 1911 – August 17, 2004) was a Japanese and American mathematician, best known for his eponymous fixed-point theorem.
Tanaka Tatsuo (Japanese: 田中 龍夫, Tanaka Tatsuo; 20 September 1910 – 30 March 1998) was a Japanese politician and baron…
Tanaka Tatsuo (Japanese: 田中 龍夫, Tanaka Tatsuo; 20 September 1910 – 30 March 1998) was a Japanese politician and baron who served as Minister of Education from 1980 to 1981 and Minister of International Trade and Industry from 1976 to 1977. He was the eldest son of Prime Minister Tanaka Giichi.
Kozaburo Hirai (平井 康三郎, Hirai Kōzaburō; 10 September 1910 – 30 November 2002) was a Japanese composer and professor of…
Kozaburo Hirai (平井 康三郎, Hirai Kōzaburō; 10 September 1910 – 30 November 2002) was a Japanese composer and professor of music. He was the father of pianist, composer and musicologist Takejiro Hirai and cellist Jyoichiro Hirai.
Teiichiro Morinaga (森永貞一郎, Morinaga Teiichiro; September 9, 1910 – May 30, 1986) was a Japanese businessman and central…
Teiichiro Morinaga (森永貞一郎, Morinaga Teiichiro; September 9, 1910 – May 30, 1986) was a Japanese businessman and central banker who served as the 23rd Governor of the Bank of Japan (BOJ).
Japanese supercentenarians are citizens, residents or emigrants from Japan who have attained or surpassed the age of…
Japanese supercentenarians are citizens, residents or emigrants from Japan who have attained or surpassed the age of 110 years. As of January 2015, the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) had validated the longevity claims of 263 Japanese supercentenarians, most of whom are women. As of 18 October 2026, the oldest-known living Japanese person is Fuyo Kishimoto (born in Hamasaka on 20 December 1911), who is aged 114 years, 302 days. The oldest verified Japanese and Asian person ever is Kane Tanaka (1903–2022), who lived to the age of 119 years and 107 days, making her the second-oldest validated person ever as well. Japan was also home to the world's oldest man ever, Jiroemon Kimura (1897–2013), who lived to the age of 116 years and 54 days.
Yoko Mizuki (水木 洋子, Mizuki Yōko; 26 August 1910 – 8 April 2003) was a Japanese screenwriter. Born in Tokyo, she later…
Yoko Mizuki (水木 洋子, Mizuki Yōko; 26 August 1910 – 8 April 2003) was a Japanese screenwriter. Born in Tokyo, she later graduated from Bunka Gakuin and began writing screenplays to support her family after her father died. Mizuki was active in the 1950s era of the Japanese studio system and is notable for her work with directors Tadashi Imai and Mikio Naruse. Her work had received several Best Screenplay Awards from Kinema Junpo, and she has been described in the book Women Screenwriters: An International Guide as "One of the most important and accomplished Japanese female screenwriters of all time".
Yutaka Katayama (片山 豊, Katayama Yutaka; born Yutaka Asoh; 15 September 1909 – 19 February 2015), also known as Mr. K…
Yutaka Katayama (片山 豊, Katayama Yutaka; born Yutaka Asoh; 15 September 1909 – 19 February 2015), also known as Mr. K, was a Japanese automotive executive who was employed by Nissan and served as the first president of Nissan Motor Corporation U.S.A. Katayama expanded Nissan's focus from economy vehicles towards sportier vehicles, and is regarded by Datsun/Nissan Z Car enthusiasts as the father of the Z-Car, as well as the Datsun 510.
Setsuko, Princess Chichibu (雍仁親王妃勢津子, Yasuhito Shinnōhi Setsuko; born Setsuko Matsudaira (松平節子, Matsudaira Setsuko); 9…
Setsuko, Princess Chichibu (雍仁親王妃勢津子, Yasuhito Shinnōhi Setsuko; born Setsuko Matsudaira (松平節子, Matsudaira Setsuko); 9 September 1909 – 25 August 1995) was a member of the Japanese imperial family and the wife of Yasuhito, Prince Chichibu, the second son of Emperor Taishō and Empress Teimei. Setsuko was a sister-in-law of Emperor Shōwa and an aunt by marriage of Emperor Akihito.
Egerton Herbert Norman (September 1, 1909 – April 4, 1957) was a Canadian diplomat and historian. Born in Japan to…
Egerton Herbert Norman (September 1, 1909 – April 4, 1957) was a Canadian diplomat and historian. Born in Japan to missionary parents, he became a historian of modern Japan before joining the Canadian foreign service. His most influential book was Japan's Emergence as a Modern State (1940) where he argued that persisting feudal class relations were responsible for government oppression at home and the imperialistic expansion that led to World War II in Asia. During the Red Scare of the 1950s Norman was accused of being a communist or even a spy, though investigations found no corroboration and he was defended by Canadian authorities. He committed suicide in 1957.
Taro Yashima (八島 太郎, Yashima Tarō; born Atsushi Iwamatsu (岩松 淳, Iwamatsu Atsushi); September 21, 1908 — June 30, 1994)…
Taro Yashima (八島 太郎, Yashima Tarō; born Atsushi Iwamatsu (岩松 淳, Iwamatsu Atsushi); September 21, 1908 — June 30, 1994) was a Japanese-American artist and children's book author. He immigrated to the United States in 1939 and assisted the U.S. war effort.
Tatsuo Shimabuku (島袋 龍夫, Shimabuku Tatsuo; September 19, 1908 – May 30, 1975) was an Okinawan, Japanese martial artist.…
Tatsuo Shimabuku (島袋 龍夫, Shimabuku Tatsuo; September 19, 1908 – May 30, 1975) was an Okinawan, Japanese martial artist. He is the founder of Isshin-ryū ("One Heart Style/One Heart Way") style of karate.
Admiral Sugie Ichizo (杉江 一三, Ichizo Sugie; 18 September 1908 – 27 July 1999) was a Japanese naval officer who served in…
Admiral Sugie Ichizo (杉江 一三, Ichizo Sugie; 18 September 1908 – 27 July 1999) was a Japanese naval officer who served in both the Imperial Japanese Navy and the post-war Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). A staff officer during the Second World War Ichizo joined the post-war Coastal Security Force in 1953 before transferring to the JMSDF the following year where he most notably served as the second Chairman of Joint Staff Council of the Japan Self-Defense Force, from 1964 until his retirement in 1966.
Shigekazu Shimazaki (嶋崎 重和, Shimazaki Shigekazu; 9 September 1908 – 9 January 1945) was a Japanese career officer in…
Shigekazu Shimazaki (嶋崎 重和, Shimazaki Shigekazu; 9 September 1908 – 9 January 1945) was a Japanese career officer in the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service during World War II.
Junzō Yoshimura (吉村 順三, Yoshimura Junzō; September 7, 1908 – April 11, 1997) was a Japanese architect.
Hideyo Arisaka (有坂 秀世, Arisaka Hideyo; September 5, 1908 - March 13, 1952) was a Japanese linguist.
Ryuichi Obitani (帯谷 竜一; older form 帶谷 龍一, Obitani Ryūichi; born September 4, 1908, date of death unknown) was a…
Ryuichi Obitani (帯谷 竜一; older form 帶谷 龍一, Obitani Ryūichi; born September 4, 1908, date of death unknown) was a Japanese figure skater. He represented Japan at the 1932 Winter Olympics and World Figure Skating Championships in 1932.
Bin Uehara (上原 敏, Uehara Bin; August 26, 1908 – July 29, 1944) was a Japanese music (ryūkōka) singer and soldier. He…
Bin Uehara (上原 敏, Uehara Bin; August 26, 1908 – July 29, 1944) was a Japanese music (ryūkōka) singer and soldier. He was known for using naniwa-bushi's kobushi vocalism in Japanese popular music. He was killed in action during the eastern New Guinea campaign during the Pacific War.
Eijirō Tōno (東野英治郎, Tōno Eijirō; 17 September 1907 – 8 September 1994) was a Japanese actor who, in a career lasting…
Eijirō Tōno (東野英治郎, Tōno Eijirō; 17 September 1907 – 8 September 1994) was a Japanese actor who, in a career lasting more than 50 years, appeared in over 400 television shows, nearly 250 films and numerous stage productions. He is best known in the West for his roles in films by Akira Kurosawa, such as Seven Samurai (1954) and Yojimbo (1961), and films by Yasujirō Ozu, such as Tokyo Story (1953) and An Autumn Afternoon (1962). He also appeared in Kill! by Kihachi Okamoto and Tora! Tora! Tora!, a depiction of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. His final film was Juzo Itami's A-ge-man (Tales of a Golden Geisha) in 1990. Tōno also starred as the title character in the long-running television jidaigeki series Mito Kōmon from 1969 to 1983. In the early years of his career he acted under the name of Katsuji Honjo (本庄克二).
Teiichi Nishi (西貞一, 31 August 1907 – 3 February 2001) was a Japanese sprinter. He competed in the men's 200 metres and…
Teiichi Nishi (西貞一, 31 August 1907 – 3 February 2001) was a Japanese sprinter. He competed in the men's 200 metres and the men's 4 x 400 meters relay events at the 1932 Summer Olympics.
Takeo Wakabayashi (若林 竹雄, Wakabayashi Takeo; 29 August 1907 – 7 August 1937) was a Japanese football player. He played…
Takeo Wakabayashi (若林 竹雄, Wakabayashi Takeo; 29 August 1907 – 7 August 1937) was a Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Ekizo Fujibayashi (藤林 益三, Fujibayashi Ekizō; August 26, 1907 – April 24, 2007) was the 7th Chief Justice of Japan…
Ekizo Fujibayashi (藤林 益三, Fujibayashi Ekizō; August 26, 1907 – April 24, 2007) was the 7th Chief Justice of Japan (1976–1977) and a recipient of the Order of the Rising Sun. He was born in Kyoto Prefecture and graduated from the University of Tokyo in 1931. Early in his career, he worked as a corporate attorney; he was the first practicing attorney to become Chief Justice of Japan. He returned to law practice in 1977 following his resignation. Fujibayashi was a non-denominational Christian and followed the non-church movement.
Tomoji Ishizuka (石塚 友二; 20 September 1906 – 8 February 1984), known by his pen name written in different kanji (石塚 友二)…
Tomoji Ishizuka (石塚 友二; 20 September 1906 – 8 February 1984), known by his pen name written in different kanji (石塚 友二), was a Japanese haiku poet and novelist active during the Shōwa era.
Matsuo Kishi (岸松雄, Kishi Matsuo) (18 September 1906 – 17 August 1985) was a Japanese film critic, director…
Matsuo Kishi (岸松雄, Kishi Matsuo) (18 September 1906 – 17 August 1985) was a Japanese film critic, director, screenwriter, producer, and biographer. His real name was Aji Shūichirō. Born in Tokyo, he became interested in film from his days in high school and, continuing to Keio University, began submitting reviews to magazines such as Kinema Junpo and editing theater programs. Starting a dōjinshi Eiga kaihō with Tsuneo Hazumi, Kishi became involved in the left-wing film movement of the late 1920s, eventually becoming a member of the Proletarian Film League of Japan (Prokino). He soon left due to dissatisfaction with such a political approach to film. In 1932, he became the first critic to champion the work of Sadao Yamanaka, and later was a strong supporter of the films of Hiroshi Shimizu. In 1937, he gave up being a film critic and became an assistant director at Toho, where he directed one film— Kazaguruma, in 1938— before concentrating on screenwriting. After the war, he mainly worked at Shintoho, serving as producer on a few films, and wrote scripts for such directors as Shimizu and Mikio Naruse. All along he continued writing on film, especially penning numerous biographical accounts of the many people he knew in the Japanese film world.
Sumihiko Hatsushima (初島 住彦, Hatsushima Sumihiko; September 1906 – January 22, 2008) was a Japanese botanist. In…
Sumihiko Hatsushima (初島 住彦, Hatsushima Sumihiko; September 1906 – January 22, 2008) was a Japanese botanist. In scholarly works using the Latin alphabet, his name is generally romanised as "Sumihiko Hatusima" following the "Kunrei" system. Hatsushima was born in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan in 1906. His tertiary studies and early lectureship was at Kyushu Imperial University, where he was awarded a doctorate in 1942. He accompanied Ryōzō Kanehira on a collecting expedition in New Guinea in 1940. Hatsushima returned to Austronesia in a collecting expedition to the Philippines in 1964. Hatsushima died in 2008.
Saburō Hasegawa (長谷川 三郎, Hasegawa Saburō; 6 September 1906 – 11 March 1957) was a Japanese-born American calligrapher…
Saburō Hasegawa (長谷川 三郎, Hasegawa Saburō; 6 September 1906 – 11 March 1957) was a Japanese-born American calligrapher, painter, art writer, curator, and teacher. He was an early advocate of abstract art in Japan and an equally vocal supporter of the Japanese traditional arts (Japanese calligraphy, ikebana, tea ceremony, ink painting) and Zen Buddhism. Throughout his career he argued for the connection between East Asian classical arts and Western abstract painting.
Iwao Aizawa (相沢 巌夫, Aizawa Iwao; 29 August 1906 – October 1945) was a Japanese sprinter. He competed in the men's 100…
Iwao Aizawa (相沢 巌夫, Aizawa Iwao; 29 August 1906 – October 1945) was a Japanese sprinter. He competed in the men's 100 metres at the 1928 Summer Olympics. He served during World War II, and died in New Bilibid Prison after the war from malaria.
Masao Nozawa (野澤 正雄, Nozawa Masao) was a Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team. His brother Akira…
Masao Nozawa (野澤 正雄, Nozawa Masao) was a Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team. His brother Akira Nozawa also played for Japan national team.
Kenkichi Sugimoto (杉本健吉) (September 20, 1905 in Nagoya – February 10, 2004 in Nagoya) was a Japanese artist. He was…
Kenkichi Sugimoto (杉本健吉) (September 20, 1905 in Nagoya – February 10, 2004 in Nagoya) was a Japanese artist. He was known as an oil painter, illustrator, and graphic designer. In 1987 the Meitetsu railroad company opened the Sugimoto Art Museum in Mihama, Aichi.
Jisaburo Ohwi (大井 次三郎, Ōi Jisaburō; 18 September 1905 – 22 February 1977) was a Japanese botanist. He was a…
Jisaburo Ohwi (大井 次三郎, Ōi Jisaburō; 18 September 1905 – 22 February 1977) was a Japanese botanist. He was a distinguished member of the Faculty of Science of Kyoto Imperial University. He is perhaps best known for his 1953 Flora of Japan (日本植物誌, Nihon Shokubutsushi).
Heihachiro Okawa (Japanese: 大川 平八郎, Hepburn: Ōkawa Heihachirō; 9 September 1905 – 27 May 1971), also credited as Henry…
Heihachiro Okawa (Japanese: 大川 平八郎, Hepburn: Ōkawa Heihachirō; 9 September 1905 – 27 May 1971), also credited as Henry Okawa (ヘンリー大川), was a Japanese film actor active from the 1930s to 1971. With hopes of starting a business, he traveled to the United States in 1923 and studied at Columbia University. He also studied at the Paramount Studios acting school and eventually began working in Hollywood, appearing in films by Howard Hawks and William Wellman. He returned to Japan in 1933 and co-starred in the Photo Chemical Laboratories (PCL) film Horoyoi jinsei. He later appeared in foreign films under the name Henry Okawa. He is best known for Moyuru ōzora (1940), Dawn of Freedom (1944) Tokyo File 212 (1951), Floating Clouds (1955) and The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957).
Kohei Murakoso (村社 講平, Murakoso Kōhei; August 29, 1905 – July 8, 1998) was a Japanese runner. He competed at the 1936…
Kohei Murakoso (村社 講平, Murakoso Kōhei; August 29, 1905 – July 8, 1998) was a Japanese runner. He competed at the 1936 Olympics in the 5000 metres and 10,000 metres events and finished fourth on both occasions. Murakoso graduated from the Chuo University and then worked at Kawasaki Heavy Industries. After World War II he demobilized from the Army and worked as an athletics reporter for Mainichi Shimbun. He also helped prepare the national athletics team to the 1952 Olympics. He died of acute respiratory failure, aged 92.
Hashimoto Kunihiko (橋本國彦; also Qunihico Hashimoto) (September 14, 1904 – May 6, 1949) was a Japanese composer…
Hashimoto Kunihiko (橋本國彦; also Qunihico Hashimoto) (September 14, 1904 – May 6, 1949) was a Japanese composer, violinist, conductor, and musical educator.
Kinosuke Ebihara (海老原 喜之助, Ebihara Kinosuke; 13 September 1904 – 19 September 1970) was a Japanese painter. His work…
Kinosuke Ebihara (海老原 喜之助, Ebihara Kinosuke; 13 September 1904 – 19 September 1970) was a Japanese painter. His work was part of the painting event in the art competition at the 1936 Summer Olympics.
Kye Yong-mook (Korean: 계용묵; September 8, 1904 – August 9, 1961) was a South Korean writer.
Aya Kōda (幸田文, Kōda Aya; 1 September 1904 – 31 October 1990) was a Japanese writer of novels, short stories and essays.…
Aya Kōda (幸田文, Kōda Aya; 1 September 1904 – 31 October 1990) was a Japanese writer of novels, short stories and essays. She was the daughter of writer Rohan Kōda. Among her most noted works is the 1955 novel Nagareru.
Ayako Ishigaki (石垣 綾子, Ishigaki Ayako; 1903 – 1996) was an Issei journalist, activist, and feminist, who was among the…
Ayako Ishigaki (石垣 綾子, Ishigaki Ayako; 1903 – 1996) was an Issei journalist, activist, and feminist, who was among the first Japanese American women to publish a memoir in English.
Hidesaburō Shōda (正田 英三郎, Shōda Hidesaburō; 21 September 1903 – 18 June 1999) was a Japanese businessman. He served as…
Hidesaburō Shōda (正田 英三郎, Shōda Hidesaburō; 21 September 1903 – 18 June 1999) was a Japanese businessman. He served as the president and later honorary chairman of Nisshin Seifun Group, the country's largest flour milling company. He was the father of Empress Michiko, is the father in law of Emperor Akihito, and the maternal grandfather of Emperor Naruhito. He was the third son of Teiichiro Shōda, the founder of the Nisshin Seifun Group. The Shōda family is prominent in both industrial and academic circles.
Minanogawa Tōzō (Japanese: 男女ノ川 登三; September 17, 1903 – January 20, 1971), also known as Asashio Kyojiro (朝潮 供次郎), was…
Minanogawa Tōzō (Japanese: 男女ノ川 登三; September 17, 1903 – January 20, 1971), also known as Asashio Kyojiro (朝潮 供次郎), was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler from Tsukuba, Ibaraki. He was the sport's 34th yokozuna.
Yoshio Kosugi (小杉 義男, Kosugi Yoshio; 15 September 1903 – 12 March 1968) was a Japanese actor. He appeared in more than…
Yoshio Kosugi (小杉 義男, Kosugi Yoshio; 15 September 1903 – 12 March 1968) was a Japanese actor. He appeared in more than 120 films from 1924 to 1967.
Giyo Saito (斎藤 魏洋, Saitō Giyō; 14 September 1903 – September 1944) was a Japanese swimmer. He competed in two events at…
Giyo Saito (斎藤 魏洋, Saitō Giyō; 14 September 1903 – September 1944) was a Japanese swimmer. He competed in two events at the 1924 Summer Olympics. He died during World War II.
Uichiro Hatta (八田 卯一郎, Hatta Uichirō; September 10, 1903 – April 20, 1989) was a Japanese football player. He played…
Uichiro Hatta (八田 卯一郎, Hatta Uichirō; September 10, 1903 – April 20, 1989) was a Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Kensaku Shimaki (島木 健作, Shimaki Kensaku; 7 September 1903 – 17 August 1945) was the pen name of Asakura Kikuo (朝倉 菊雄)…
Kensaku Shimaki (島木 健作, Shimaki Kensaku; 7 September 1903 – 17 August 1945) was the pen name of Asakura Kikuo (朝倉 菊雄), a Japanese author active during the Shōwa period in Japan. He had an interest in leftist ideology and was arrested in 1928 due to his ties to the Japanese Communist Party. Throughout his literary career, Shimaki wrote multiple novels and stories with a common theme being proletariat life. Some of his works were published by magazines and journals. He associated with Nobel laureate Kawabata Yasunari.
Shikō Munakata (棟方 志功, Munakata Shikō; September 5, 1903 – September 13, 1975) was a woodblock printmaker active in…
Shikō Munakata (棟方 志功, Munakata Shikō; September 5, 1903 – September 13, 1975) was a woodblock printmaker active in Shōwa period Japan. He is associated with the sōsaku-hanga movement and the mingei (folk art) movement. Munakata was awarded the "Prize of Excellence" at the Second International Print Exhibition in Lugano, Switzerland in 1952, and first prize at the São Paulo Bienal Exhibition in Brazil in 1955, followed by Grand Prix at the Venice Biennale in 1956, and the Order of Culture, the highest honor in the arts by the Japanese government in 1970.
Kiyoo Wadati (和達 清夫, Wadachi Kiyoo; September 8, 1902 – January 5, 1995) was an early seismologist at the Central…
Kiyoo Wadati (和達 清夫, Wadachi Kiyoo; September 8, 1902 – January 5, 1995) was an early seismologist at the Central Meteorological Observatory of Japan (now known as the Japan Meteorological Agency), researching deep (subduction zone) earthquakes. His name is attached to the Wadati–Benioff zone. It was Wadati's 1928 paper on shallow and deep earthquakes, comparing maximum below surface displacement against distance from the epicentre, which led Charles Richter to develop his earthquake magnitude scale in 1935.