Matthew Baker (ベイカー 茉秋 Beikā Mashū, Japanese surname: 小林, born 25 September 1994 in Tokyo), is a male Japanese judoka.…Matthew Baker (ベイカー 茉秋 Beikā Mashū, Japanese surname: 小林, born 25 September 1994 in Tokyo), is a male Japanese judoka. His father is an American. His parents divorced when he was little and was raised by his mother. He started judo at the age of 7. His favorite technique is Ouchi Gari. In 2015, he won the bronze medal in the Middleweight (90 kg) division at the 2015 World Judo Championships. He is currently ranked No. 38 in the world (as of 2019). He won the gold medal in under 90 kg division in 2016 Rio Olympics.
Takayuki Takabayashi (高林 孝行, Takabayashi Takayuki; born September 12, 1972) is a Japanese baseball outfielder who won a…Takayuki Takabayashi (高林 孝行, Takabayashi Takayuki; born September 12, 1972) is a Japanese baseball outfielder who won a silver medal in the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Shinji Hirai (平井 伸治, Hirai Shinji; born 17 September 1961) is a Japanese politician, the governor of Tottori Prefecture…Shinji Hirai (平井 伸治, Hirai Shinji; born 17 September 1961) is a Japanese politician, the governor of Tottori Prefecture in Japan, first elected in 2007. He graduated from the University of Tokyo with the B.L. degree in 1984 and joined the Ministry of Home Affairs upon graduation.
Yuriko Hoshi (星 由里子, Hoshi Yuriko; 6 December 1943 – 16 May 2018), born Yuriko Shimizu (清水 由里子), was a Japanese…Yuriko Hoshi (星 由里子, Hoshi Yuriko; 6 December 1943 – 16 May 2018), born Yuriko Shimizu (清水 由里子), was a Japanese actress. She appeared in more than 90 films beginning in 1959.
Yamato Inaba (稲葉 大和, Inaba Yamato; born 12 November 1943) is a former Japanese politician, who was a member of House of…Yamato Inaba (稲葉 大和, Inaba Yamato; born 12 November 1943) is a former Japanese politician, who was a member of House of Representatives and the Liberal Democratic Party. Born in Chiyoda, Tokyo he graduated from Chuo University in 1966. He was elected for the first time in 1993 after an unsuccessful run in 1990. He represented the 3rd District of Niigata Prefecture until 2009.
Masanari Nihei (二瓶 正也, Nihei Masanari; 9 December 1940 – 21 August 2021) was a Japanese actor. He played Mitsuhiro Ide…Masanari Nihei (二瓶 正也, Nihei Masanari; 9 December 1940 – 21 August 2021) was a Japanese actor. He played Mitsuhiro Ide in Ultraman, having won the role when originally cast actor Susumu Ishikawa left the production.
Michiko Suganuma (Japanese: 菅沼 三千子, Hepburn: Suganuma Michiko; born 1940) is a leading Japanese Kamakura-bori artist…Michiko Suganuma (Japanese: 菅沼 三千子, Hepburn: Suganuma Michiko; born 1940) is a leading Japanese Kamakura-bori artist using a technique she calls Wagae-nuri. She is the only Japanese female to have presented her collection at exhibitions of National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne. Her works are held in the collection of the gallery.
Shigeru Uchida (Japanese: 内田茂 Uchida Shigeru; 15 March 1939 – 21 December 2022) was a Japanese politician. A member of…Shigeru Uchida (Japanese: 内田茂 Uchida Shigeru; 15 March 1939 – 21 December 2022) was a Japanese politician. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he served as chairman of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly from 2003 to 2005. Uchida died in Tokyo on 21 December 2022, at the age of 83.
Hiroshi "Monsieur" Kamayatsu (かまやつひろし, Hiroshi "Monsieur" Kamayatsu; 12 January 1939 – 1 March 2017) was a Japanese…Hiroshi "Monsieur" Kamayatsu (かまやつひろし, Hiroshi "Monsieur" Kamayatsu; 12 January 1939 – 1 March 2017) was a Japanese singer and guitarist born in Tokyo. He composed the music for Download, a direct-to-video anime release based on PC Engine games.
Fubuki Koshiji (越路 吹雪; 18 February 1924 – 7 November 1980), real name Mihoko Kouno (内藤 美保子), was a Japanese singer and…Fubuki Koshiji (越路 吹雪; 18 February 1924 – 7 November 1980), real name Mihoko Kouno (内藤 美保子), was a Japanese singer and actress. She joined the Takarazuka Revue in 1939. Though she was recognized as a star at Takarazuka, she left in 1951. When she chose to leave the troupe, Koshiji's friend, Tokiko Iwatani, also quit to manage Koshiji's budding career in film, made possible by the liberalization that took place during and after the occupation of Japan. Throughout the 1950s, Koshiji appeared in productions that merged the arts of shinpa, shingeki, and kabuki. Known as the "Queen of Chanson" (シャンソンの女王, Shanson no Joō), Koshiji was influenced by French singer Édith Piaf. She released Japanese-language covers of Piaf's "Hymne à l'amour" in 1951, "Tombe la neige" by Salvatore Adamo, and "C'est si bon". Koshiji was married to composer Tsunemi Naitō. She died in Tokyo of stomach cancer at the age of 56. Koshiji's final words, addressed to her husband, were "Tsunemi-san, black coffee and milk." She is the subject of "Koshiji Fubuki Monogatari", a television production of TV Asahi in Japan with Takimoto Miori playing the role of Fubuki Koshiji.
Teruo Ishii (石井輝男, Ishii Teruo; January 1, 1924 – August 12, 2005) was a Japanese film director best known in the West…Teruo Ishii (石井輝男, Ishii Teruo; January 1, 1924 – August 12, 2005) was a Japanese film director best known in the West for his early films in the Super Giant series, and for his films in the ero guro ("erotic-grotesque") subgenre of sexploitation such as Shogun's Joy of Torture (1968). He also directed the 1965 film Abashiri Prison, which helped to make Ken Takakura a major star in Japan. Referred to in Japan as "The King of Cult", Ishii had a much more prolific and eclectic career than was generally known in the West during his lifetime.
Otome Amatsu (9 October 1905 – 30 May 1980) (天津乙女 in Japanese, or あまつ おとめ in kana) was a Master of Japanese dance, TV…Otome Amatsu (9 October 1905 – 30 May 1980) (天津乙女 in Japanese, or あまつ おとめ in kana) was a Master of Japanese dance, TV and musical actress most widely recognized as Takarazuka Revue Leader of the Moon Troupe from 1928 to 1933. She later served as a director of the Takarazuka Revue Company. Her stage name was derived from a poem by Henjō in the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu. She was also called "Treasure of Takarazuka".
Sada Abe (阿部 定, Abe Sada; born May 28, 1905; disappeared 1970) was a Japanese geisha and prostitute who murdered her…Sada Abe (阿部 定, Abe Sada; born May 28, 1905; disappeared 1970) was a Japanese geisha and prostitute who murdered her lover, Kichizō Ishida (石田 吉蔵), via strangulation on May 18, 1936, before cutting off his penis and testicles and carrying them around with her in her kimono. The story became a national sensation in Japan, acquiring mythic overtones; it has also been interpreted by artists, philosophers, novelists and filmmakers. Abe was released after serving five years in prison and went on to write an autobiography.
Hideo Saito (齋藤 秀雄, Saitō Hideo; May 23, 1902 – September 18, 1974) was a Japanese cellist, conductor, and music…Hideo Saito (齋藤 秀雄, Saitō Hideo; May 23, 1902 – September 18, 1974) was a Japanese cellist, conductor, and music lecturer.
Hideo Kobayashi (小林 秀雄, Kobayashi Hideo; April 11, 1902 – March 1, 1983) was a Japanese author, who established…Hideo Kobayashi (小林 秀雄, Kobayashi Hideo; April 11, 1902 – March 1, 1983) was a Japanese author, who established literary criticism as an independent art form in Japan.
Heinosuke Gosho (五所平之助, Gosho Heinosuke; 24 January 1902 – 1 May 1981) was a Japanese film director and screenwriter…Heinosuke Gosho (五所平之助, Gosho Heinosuke; 24 January 1902 – 1 May 1981) was a Japanese film director and screenwriter who directed Japan's first successful sound film, The Neighbor's Wife and Mine, in 1931. His films are mostly associated with the shōshimin-eiga (lit. "common people drama") genre. Among his most noted works are Where Chimneys Are Seen, An Inn at Osaka, Takekurabe and Yellow Crow.
Tomoyoshi Murayama (村山 知義, Murayama Tomoyoshi; 18 January 1901 – 22 March 1977) was a Japanese artist, play writer…Tomoyoshi Murayama (村山 知義, Murayama Tomoyoshi; 18 January 1901 – 22 March 1977) was a Japanese artist, play writer, novelist and drama producer active during the Shōwa period in Japan.
Baron Matsuji Ijuin (伊集院 松治, Ijūin Matsuji; 21 April 1893 – 24 May 1944) was a commander in the Imperial Japanese Navy…Baron Matsuji Ijuin (伊集院 松治, Ijūin Matsuji; 21 April 1893 – 24 May 1944) was a commander in the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II, who was promoted posthumously to vice admiral after being killed in action in combat off Saipan.
Michio Itō (伊藤 道郎, Itō Michio; 13 April 1892 – 6 November 1961) was a Japanese dancer who developed his own…Michio Itō (伊藤 道郎, Itō Michio; 13 April 1892 – 6 November 1961) was a Japanese dancer who developed his own choreography style in Europe and America. He was the son of Kimiye Iijima and architect Tamekichi Ito who was educated at the University of Washington; he was one of nine children, and the brother of director Koreya Senda.
Shūōshi Mizuhara (水原秋桜子; October 9, 1892 – 1981) was a Japanese haiku poet and physician. Shūōshi Mizuhara was born on…Shūōshi Mizuhara (水原秋桜子; October 9, 1892 – 1981) was a Japanese haiku poet and physician. Shūōshi Mizuhara was born on October 9, 1892, in Tokyo. Shūōshi's father was a doctor and raised Shūōshi to follow in his footsteps, eventually taking over his medical practice. Shūōshi graduated with an MD from Tokyo University in 1926, specializing in obstetrics and gynaecology. He became a professor at Showa Medical College in 1928 and was appointed medical advisor for the Ministry of the Imperial Household in 1932. Following World War II, Shūōshi gave up his medical practice to focus on poetry. Shūōshi's father unsuccessfully attempted to discourage his son's interest in literature. Shūōshi first became interested in tanka and only later turned to haiku. He was initially attached to Shibukaki school of haiku led by Tōyōjō Matsune, but, profoundly influenced by Kyoshi Takahama's manifesto Susumubeki haiku no michi ("The Path on Which Haiku Must Advance"), he soon joined the Hototogisu school and was prominently featured in the magazine. He increasingly grew dissatisfied with what he saw as the restrictive conservative principles of the Hototogisu group. He published his first haiku collection, Katsushika, in 1930 to a tepid response from Kyoshi. The volume is now recognized by critics as a key work in the modernization of haiku. The next year, he wrote a romantic manifesto that served as his exit from Hototogisu, "Truth in Nature and Truth in Literature", where he wrote: If the whole aim of haiku writing were to grasp 'truth in nature,' the poet would need no assiduous study to gain new knowledge, no constant endeavour to enrich his mind. All he would have to do would be to roam about with a notebook in his pocket, following the shadow of a cloud. He and his followers had their own publication, Ashibi ("Staggerbush"), a rebranding of a magazine called Hamayumi.
Saneatsu Mushanokōji (武者小路 実篤(實篤), Mushanokōji Saneatsu; 12 May 1885 – 9 April 1976) was a Japanese novelist…Saneatsu Mushanokōji (武者小路 実篤(實篤), Mushanokōji Saneatsu; 12 May 1885 – 9 April 1976) was a Japanese novelist, playwright, poet, artist, and philosopher active during the late Taishō and Shōwa periods of Japan. Later on in life he requested that the pronunciation of his surname (as far as was concerned) be changed from the usual Mushanokōji, to Mushakōji, but without much success. He was nicknamed Musha and Futo-o by his colleagues.
Shigeru Yoshida (吉田 茂, Yoshida Shigeru; Japanese pronunciation: [jo.ɕi.da (|) ɕi.ɡe.ɾɯ, -ŋe.ɾɯ], 22 September 1878 – 20…Shigeru Yoshida (吉田 茂, Yoshida Shigeru; Japanese pronunciation: [jo.ɕi.da (|) ɕi.ɡe.ɾɯ, -ŋe.ɾɯ], 22 September 1878 – 20 October 1967) was a Japanese diplomat and politician who served as prime minister of Japan from 1946 to 1947 and again from 1948 to 1954, serving through most of the country's occupation after World War II. Yoshida played a major role in determining the course of post-war Japan by forging a strong relationship with the United States and pursuing economic recovery. Born in Tokyo to a former samurai family, Yoshida graduated from Tokyo Imperial University in 1906 and joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He held various assignments abroad, including in China, where he advocated increased Japanese influence. From 1928 to 1930, Yoshida served as vice minister of foreign affairs, then served as ambassador to Italy until 1932. In 1936, he was considered for foreign minister in the cabinet of Kōki Hirota, but he was opposed by the Army, who strongly identified him with liberalism and friendship with Great Britain and the United States. Yoshida served as ambassador to Britain from 1936 to 1938. He largely avoided political participation during the Pacific War. During the U.S. occupation after the war's end, Yoshida served as foreign minister in the cabinets of Prince Higashikuni and Kijūrō Shidehara. Yoshida became prime minister in 1946, after Ichirō Hatoyama was purged by authorities on the verge of taking office; Yoshida served as foreign minister in his own first three cabinets. He oversaw the adoption of the Constitution of Japan before losing office after the election of 1947. He returned to the premiership in 1948, and negotiated the Treaty of San Francisco, which ended the occupation and saw the restoration of sovereignty to Japan, and a security treaty with the U.S. Yoshida pursued a strategy of concentrating on economic reconstruction while relying on an alliance with the United States for defense, a strategy known as the Yoshida Doctrine. The last years of his premiership were marked by conflict with Hatoyama, who had by then been depurged. This culminated in Yoshida being ousted and replaced by Hatoyama in 1954. Yoshida's legacy continued to play an important part in Japanese political life, particularly through his two protégés, Hayato Ikeda and Eisaku Satō, who served as prime ministers from 1960 to 1964 and 1964 to 1972 respectively. Yoshida died in 1967 and received a state funeral. His grandson, Tarō Asō, served as prime minister from 2008 to 2009.
Shiro Asano (浅野四郎, 1877–1955) was a cameraman during the early days of Japanese cinema. He is known primarily for his…Shiro Asano (浅野四郎, 1877–1955) was a cameraman during the early days of Japanese cinema. He is known primarily for his work using imported versions of the Lumiere kinetoscope and the Gaumont camera, as well as his contributions to the horror genre with his short films. He is also regarded as one of the first Japanese people to host a public film screening.
Kitazawa Yasuji (北澤 保次; 20 July 1876 – 25 August 1955), known by his pen name Kitazawa Rakuten (北澤 楽天), was a Japanese…Kitazawa Yasuji (北澤 保次; 20 July 1876 – 25 August 1955), known by his pen name Kitazawa Rakuten (北澤 楽天), was a Japanese manga and nihonga artist, who was the first professional cartoonist in Japan, and the first to use the term "manga" in its modern sense. He drew editorial cartoons and comic strips during the years from the late Meiji to the early Shōwa era. He is considered by many historians to be the founding father of modern manga, and his work was an inspiration to many younger manga artists and animators.
Baron Ishimoto Shinroku (石本 新六; 20 January 1854 – 2 April 1912) was a general in the Imperial Japanese Army, and…Baron Ishimoto Shinroku (石本 新六; 20 January 1854 – 2 April 1912) was a general in the Imperial Japanese Army, and Minister of War under the Second Saionji Cabinet from 1911 to 1912.
Oguri Kozukenosuke (Oguri Tadamasa, 16 July 1827 – 27 May 1868) was a statesman of the Tokugawa government in the last…Oguri Kozukenosuke (Oguri Tadamasa, 16 July 1827 – 27 May 1868) was a statesman of the Tokugawa government in the last stage of the Edo period, and he is often regarded as a rival of Katsu Kaishu. At the time when the power of the Tokugawa government was diminishing, he took the posts of finance magistrate twice, and that of the foreign magistrate once. Also, he decided to construct the first arsenal in Japan (Yokosuka arsenal), and this decision contributed to the Meiji Restoration.
