Rion Ishikawa (石川 璃音, Ishikawa Rion; Japanese: [iɕikawa ɾi.oɴ]; born 4 July 2003) is a Japanese professional footballer…Rion Ishikawa (石川 璃音, Ishikawa Rion; Japanese: [iɕikawa ɾi.oɴ]; born 4 July 2003) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Women's Super League club Everton and the Japan national team. Prior to her time at Everton, Ishikawa played for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Urawa Reds Ladies
Fumiya Unoki (鵜木 郁哉, Unoki Fumiya; born 4 July 2001) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a winger or forward for J2…Fumiya Unoki (鵜木 郁哉, Unoki Fumiya; born 4 July 2001) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a winger or forward for J2 League club Vanraure Hachinohe.
Hinata Kida (喜田 陽, Kida Hinata; born 4 July 2000) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a defensive…Hinata Kida (喜田 陽, Kida Hinata; born 4 July 2000) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for J1 League club JEF United Chiba.
Yuji Aida (born 4 July 1999) is a Japanese judoka. He is the bronze medallist of the 2019 Judo Grand Slam Osaka in the…Yuji Aida (born 4 July 1999) is a Japanese judoka. He is the bronze medallist of the 2019 Judo Grand Slam Osaka in the -66 kg category.
Aoi Shiga (Japanese: 志賀 葵, しが あおい, Hepburn: Shiga Aoi; born 4 July 1999) is a Japanese ice hockey player and member of…Aoi Shiga (Japanese: 志賀 葵, しが あおい, Hepburn: Shiga Aoi; born 4 July 1999) is a Japanese ice hockey player and member of the Japanese national team, currently playing in the Swedish Women's Hockey League with Modo.¹
Hōsei Takata (髙田 萌生, born July 4, 1998) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher who played for the Yomiuri Giants…Hōsei Takata (髙田 萌生, born July 4, 1998) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher who played for the Yomiuri Giants and Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball from 2018 to 2022.
Masaya Kyōyama (京山 将弥, Kyōyama Masaya; born July 4, 1998 in) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the…Masaya Kyōyama (京山 将弥, Kyōyama Masaya; born July 4, 1998 in) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Rakuten Monkeys of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL). He has previously played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars, and in the KBO League for the Lotte Giants.
Ōnoshō Fumiya (Japanese: 阿武咲 奎也; born July 4, 1996, as Fumiya Utetsu (打越 奎也, Utetsu Fumiya)) is a Japanese retired…Ōnoshō Fumiya (Japanese: 阿武咲 奎也; born July 4, 1996, as Fumiya Utetsu (打越 奎也, Utetsu Fumiya)) is a Japanese retired professional sumo wrestler from Nakadomari, Aomori Prefecture. He debuted in professional sumo in January 2013 for Ōnomatsu stable and made his top division debut in May 2017. He won one championship in the second-highest jūryō division and four special prizes in his career, as well as two gold stars for defeating a yokozuna while ranked as a maegashira. His highest rank was komusubi.
Tomohiro Ogawa (小川 智大, Ogawa Tomohiro; born 4 July 1996) is a Japanese male volleyball player from Yokohama city in…Tomohiro Ogawa (小川 智大, Ogawa Tomohiro; born 4 July 1996) is a Japanese male volleyball player from Yokohama city in Kanagawa Prefecture. He plays in SV.League for Suntory Sunbirds and Japan men's national volleyball team.
Tatsuki Kuwahara (桒原 樹, Kuwahara Tatsuki; born July 4, 1996) is a Japanese former baseball player. Kuwahara was…Tatsuki Kuwahara (桒原 樹, Kuwahara Tatsuki; born July 4, 1996) is a Japanese former baseball player. Kuwahara was selected from Tokoha Gakuen Kikukawa High School by the Hiroshima Toyo Carp in the 2014 Nippon Professional Baseball draft as the team's fifth pick. He played in the Western League for the Carp's affiliate team from 2014 to 2021. Kuwahara made his first-team debut on September 5, 2020, against the Yokohama DeNA BayStars. During the 2020 season, he played in three total games with the first-team, recording three at-bats and no hits. On November 3, 2021, the Carp announced Kuwahara's release from the organization. He cited the emergence of younger players, such as Kota Hayashi and Kaito Kozono in his decision to retire as a player.
Ryoya Kurihara (栗原 陵矢, Kurihara Ryōya; born July 4, 1996) is a Japanese professional baseball catcher, infielder, and…Ryoya Kurihara (栗原 陵矢, Kurihara Ryōya; born July 4, 1996) is a Japanese professional baseball catcher, infielder, and outfielder for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Saki Niizoe (born 4 July 1996) is a Japanese retired judoka. She won one of the bronze medals in the women's 70 kg…Saki Niizoe (born 4 July 1996) is a Japanese retired judoka. She won one of the bronze medals in the women's 70 kg event at the 2022 World Championships held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. She won the gold medal in the women's 70 kg event at the 2018 Asian Games held in Jakarta, Indonesia. In 2017, she won two medals at the Summer Universiade held in Taipei, Taiwan. In the same year, she won the gold medal in the mixed team event at the 2017 World Judo Championships held in Budapest, Hungary. She also won the gold medal in the mixed team event at the 2021 World Championships, also held in Budapest, Hungary. She won the silver medal at the 2022 Paris Grand Slam in France. She won one of the bronze medals in the women's 70 kg event at the 2022 World Championships held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. She won the gold medal in the women's 70 kg event at the 2023 World Championships held in Doha, Qatar. She also represented Japan at the 2024 Summer Olympics. After placing 7th at Olympics, she announced her retirement.
Sho Endo (遠藤 尚, Endō Shō; born (1990-07-04)July 4, 1990 in Inawashiro, Fukushima) is a Japanese freestyle skier. Endo…Sho Endo (遠藤 尚, Endō Shō; born (1990-07-04)July 4, 1990 in Inawashiro, Fukushima) is a Japanese freestyle skier. Endo competed in moguls, at the 2010 Winter Olympics. He qualified for the moguls final and finished 7th. As of February 2013, his best showing at the World Championships came in 2011, placing 21st, in the moguls event. He made his World Cup debut in December 2007. As of February 2013, he has twice won bronze medals in World Cup moguls events, including his first medal at Åre in 2011/12. His best World Cup finish is 8th, also in 2011/12.
Natsumi Kiyoura (清浦夏実, Kiyoura Natsumi; born July 4, 1990) is a Japanese actress and singer from Chiba. She is…Natsumi Kiyoura (清浦夏実, Kiyoura Natsumi; born July 4, 1990) is a Japanese actress and singer from Chiba. She is represented by the talent agency Oscar Promotion. Her music records have been released under Flying Dog.
Hiroo Tsumaki (妻木洋夫, Tsumaki Hiroo) better known by his ring name Fuma (sometimes stylized in capital letters as FUMA)…Hiroo Tsumaki (妻木洋夫, Tsumaki Hiroo) better known by his ring name Fuma (sometimes stylized in capital letters as FUMA) is a Japanese professional wrestler currently signed to the Japanese promotion Pro-Wrestling Basara. He is also known for his tenure with DDT Pro-Wrestling and Big Japan Pro Wrestling.
Hiroki Uemoto (上本 博紀, Uemoto Hiroki; born July 4, 1986) is a Japanese former professional baseball player. He has…Hiroki Uemoto (上本 博紀, Uemoto Hiroki; born July 4, 1986) is a Japanese former professional baseball player. He has played in his entire career with the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hanshin Tigers.
Kazlaser (カズレーザー, Kazurēzā; born 4 July 1984, in Kazo, Saitama) is a Japanese comedian. He performs boke in the comedy…Kazlaser (カズレーザー, Kazurēzā; born 4 July 1984, in Kazo, Saitama) is a Japanese comedian. He performs boke in the comedy duo Maple Chogoukin. His real name is Kazunori Kaneko (金子 和令, Kaneko Kazunori). He is represented by Sun Music Production. Kazlaser is known for his red clothing and gold hair. He stated that the look was inspired by the 80's anime series Space Cobra. Kazlaser's parents were both civil servants and his family are strawberry farmers.
Jin Akanishi (赤西 仁, Akanishi Jin; born July 4, 1984) is a Japanese singer-songwriter and actor. He has been active…Jin Akanishi (赤西 仁, Akanishi Jin; born July 4, 1984) is a Japanese singer-songwriter and actor. He has been active since 1998 as one of the two lead vocalists of the J-pop boy-band KAT-TUN before starting a solo career in 2009. Akanishi has also acted in several films and dramas.
Yuya Ishii (石井 裕也, Ishii Yūya; born July 7, 1981) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher who played in…Yuya Ishii (石井 裕也, Ishii Yūya; born July 7, 1981) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher who played in Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, Yokohama BayStars and Chunichi Dragons.
Kenichi Maeyamada (前山田 健一, Maeyamada Ken'ichi; born July 4, 1980), also known as Hyadain (ヒャダイン), is a Japanese…Kenichi Maeyamada (前山田 健一, Maeyamada Ken'ichi; born July 4, 1980), also known as Hyadain (ヒャダイン), is a Japanese composer, lyricist, and musician. His primary work is composing anime theme songs and for J-pop musicians. He contracts through Supalove, a Japanese record label. He has released a number of anime and video game music remixes, as well as original songs. These remixes have received over 20 million hits on YouTube and Nico Nico Douga.
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.
Motoka Arai (新井 初佳, Arai Motoka; born 16 June 1974 in Kobe) is a Japanese retired sprinter. She competed in the 4 × 100…Motoka Arai (新井 初佳, Arai Motoka; born 16 June 1974 in Kobe) is a Japanese retired sprinter. She competed in the 4 × 100 metres relay at the 1997 World Championships, the 100 metres and 4 × 100 metres relay at the 1999 World Championships and the 4 × 100 metres relay at the 2003 World Championships. She was a seven-time national champion in the 100 metres and a six-time national champion in the 200 metres at the Japanese Championships. She is the former Japanese record holder in the 100 metres and 200 metres, and the current Japanese record holder in the indoor 200 metres. She married Japanese sprinter Shigeyuki Kojima in February 2004. She changed her name to Motoka Kojima, but she reverted to her original name.
Miou Tanaka (田中 美央, Tanaka Miō; born July 4, 1974) is a Japanese actor and voice actor who is best known for appearing…Miou Tanaka (田中 美央, Tanaka Miō; born July 4, 1974) is a Japanese actor and voice actor who is best known for appearing in visual media such as the Kingdom series (2019–), Godzilla Minus One (2023), and Pragmata (2026).
Tōki Susumu (born July 4, 1974 as Jun Tamaki) is a former sumo wrestler from Ichikawa, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. His…Tōki Susumu (born July 4, 1974 as Jun Tamaki) is a former sumo wrestler from Ichikawa, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. His highest rank was komusubi. He wrestled for Takasago stable and was a sumo coach at two other stables until his retirement in 2023.
Taido Tanose (田野瀬太道, Tanose Taido; born 4 July 1974) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of…Taido Tanose (田野瀬太道, Tanose Taido; born 4 July 1974) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Representatives since 2012. He is the son of Ryotaro Tanose.
Keiko Ihara (井原 慶子, Ihara Keiko) (born July 4, 1973) is a Japanese auto racing driver and businesswoman. She was a…Keiko Ihara (井原 慶子, Ihara Keiko) (born July 4, 1973) is a Japanese auto racing driver and businesswoman. She was a former race queen, a model who appears in a swimsuit or other fashionable apparel at race circuits, before deciding to become a racing driver. She is one of the few Japanese women nationals to race internationally at a high level. Her best finishes in the British Formula Three Championship are two eighth places finishes in 2005, which helped her to a final championship standing position of 16th with 12 points. In the 2006 series, she finished in 17th and last position in the Championship Class, with four points. Ihara joined the Gulf Racing Middle East to compete at the FIA World Endurance Championship in the LMP2 class with Jean-Denis Délétraz and Fabien Giroix as codrivers. In 2013, she raced two rounds for Gulf Racing Middle East and four with OAK Racing, both in the LMP2 class. The driver won the Fuji round of the 2014 Asian Le Mans Series for Oak Racing, together with Ho-Pin Tung and David Cheng. As of 2025, Ihara is president of Future, a developer of hydrogen-assisted bicycles.
Gakuto Oshiro (大城 ガクト, Ōshiro Gakuto; born July 4, 1973), better known as Gackt (stylized in all caps), is a Japanese…Gakuto Oshiro (大城 ガクト, Ōshiro Gakuto; born July 4, 1973), better known as Gackt (stylized in all caps), is a Japanese singer-songwriter, musician, record producer and actor. Born in Okinawa to a Ryukyuan family, Gackt learned the piano at a young age and was raised on classical music and enka before becoming interested in rock music while attending high school. He has been active since 1993, first as the frontman of the short-lived independent band Cains:Feel, and then from 1995 the now-defunct visual kei rock band Malice Mizer. Gackt started his solo career in 1999 with debut mini-album Mizérable and first full-length album Mars (2000). He has released nine studio albums and, with forty-eight singles released, holds the male soloist record for most top ten consecutive singles in Japanese music history. They are mostly conceived around two conceptual stories "Moon Saga" (Moon, Crescent, Diabolos, Last Moon) and "Requiem et Reminiscence" (Rebirth, Re:Born) which are performed live in uniquely elaborate concerts. His single "Returner (Yami no Shūen)" (2007), is his first and only single to reach the number one spot on the Oricon charts. As a solo artist, Gackt has sold over 10 million records. In 2007 became a founding member of S.K.I.N., a Japanese visual kei rock supergroup, and in 2010 formed his own band project Yellow Fried Chickenz. Besides being established in the modern entertainment industry and considered a pop icon, Gackt's music has been used as theme songs for video games (Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII), video game films (Dragon Age: Dawn of the Seeker), anime series/films (New Fist of the North Star, Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, Texhnolyze and Trickster) and television series (Kamen Rider Decade). In addition to his music career, Gackt has voice acted (including characters inspired by him in video games like in Bujingai and Genesis Rhapsodos in Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII), and live acted in a few films, including a film he wrote, Moon Child, his international debut Bunraku, Japan Academy award nomination performance for Best Actor in Fly Me to the Saitama, and TV series most notably as Uesugi Kenshin in the NHK drama Fūrin Kazan. He also performed live in theatre stage plays, Nemuri Kyoshiro Buraihikae and a duology he has written, composed, and directed Moon Saga: Mysteries of Yoshitsune I & II. He also provided the voice samples for Internet Co., Ltd.'s first Vocaloid, Gackpoid.
Kendo Kobayashi (ケンドーコバヤシ, Kendō Kobayashi; born 4 July 1972) is a Japanese comedian and actor. His real and former…Kendo Kobayashi (ケンドーコバヤシ, Kendō Kobayashi; born 4 July 1972) is a Japanese comedian and actor. His real and former stage name is Tomoharu Kobayashi (小林 友治, Kobayashi Tomoharu). He is nicknamed Ken Koba (ケンコバ), Koba (コバ), and Mr. Yaritai Hōdai (Mr.やりたい放題, Misutā Yaritai Hōdai). He is represented with Yoshimoto Creative Agency of Yoshimoto Kogyo in Tokyo. He graduated from the Yoshimoto New Star Creation (NSC) in Osaka. Kobayashi graduated from Osaka Municipal Higashitanabe Elementary School, Osaka Municipal Nakano Junior High School, and Hatsushiba Tondabayashi High School. He served as a captain of the rugby club in high school.
Tomio Okamura (岡村 富夫, Okamura Tomio; born 4 July 1972) is a Japanese-born Czech far-right politician and entrepreneur…Tomio Okamura (岡村 富夫, Okamura Tomio; born 4 July 1972) is a Japanese-born Czech far-right politician and entrepreneur, serving as the president of the Chamber of Deputies since November 2025. Okamura was the founder of the political parties Dawn of Direct Democracy and Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD). He has been a member of the Chamber of Deputies since 2013. Okamura served in the Senate representing Zlín from 2012 to 2013.
Kazuhiro Tanaka (田中一弘, Tanaka Kazuhiro; 4 July 1970, Ibaraki) is a Japanese professional drifting driver, currently…Kazuhiro Tanaka (田中一弘, Tanaka Kazuhiro; 4 July 1970, Ibaraki) is a Japanese professional drifting driver, currently competing in the D1 Grand Prix series for Team Orange and Yuke’s. Tanaka entered the D1 Grand Prix in the first round in 2001 and had his first win in 2003. He is a member of Team Orange with Nobushige Kumakubo and Naoto Suenaga.
Tomoko Tamura (田村 智子, Tamura Tomoko; née Yamazaki, born 4 July 1965) is a Japanese politician and chairwoman of the…Tomoko Tamura (田村 智子, Tamura Tomoko; née Yamazaki, born 4 July 1965) is a Japanese politician and chairwoman of the Japanese Communist Party. She succeeded Kazuo Shii in 2024. She was a member of the House of Councillors from 2010 to 2024.
Gala Inc. (株式会社ガーラ, Gala Kabushiki gaisha) is a holding company based in Tokyo, Japan, that administers GALA Group…Gala Inc. (株式会社ガーラ, Gala Kabushiki gaisha) is a holding company based in Tokyo, Japan, that administers GALA Group, which is made up of subsidiary companies of Gala Inc. The group of companies comprises three types of businesses: MMORPG games, web design, and data mining. Within the group companies Gala Lab Corp. was established in South Korea after the merger of Aeonsoft and n Flavor and develops games for the group's online gaming portal gPotato. GALA Group focuses on developing largely multiplayer online role-playing games. To cover local areas, there are group companies located in the United States, Japan, and South Korea. GALA Group's games are free-to-play. However, there is a micro-currency system that can be used to buy in-game upgrades. Games and their item shops can be accessed by the Group's regional gPotato portal sites.
Itaru Nakamura (born 4 July 1963) is a Japanese police officer who served as the 29th Chief of the National Police…Itaru Nakamura (born 4 July 1963) is a Japanese police officer who served as the 29th Chief of the National Police Agency from 2021 to 2022.
Crea-Tech (Japanese: 有限会社クレアテック) was a Japanese video game developer based in Koto, Tokyo, Japan, which was founded by…Crea-Tech (Japanese: 有限会社クレアテック) was a Japanese video game developer based in Koto, Tokyo, Japan, which was founded by Hiroshi Miyaoka in 1988. The company was best known for developing the role-playing video game series Metal Max. They also developed many board games. The company developed console games mainly, but also had some computer games and mobile games.
Hiroshi Sugawara (菅原 浩志; 1955 – 12 November 2025) was a Japanese film director, producer and screenwriter. He died from…Hiroshi Sugawara (菅原 浩志; 1955 – 12 November 2025) was a Japanese film director, producer and screenwriter. He died from pancreatic cancer on 12 November 2025, at the age of 70.
Susumu Kitagawa (北川 進, Kitagawa Susumu; born 4 July 1951) is a Japanese Nobel Prize-winning chemist specializing in…Susumu Kitagawa (北川 進, Kitagawa Susumu; born 4 July 1951) is a Japanese Nobel Prize-winning chemist specializing in coordination chemistry, with a focus on organic–inorganic hybrid compounds and the chemical and physical properties of porous coordination polymers, particularly metal-organic frameworks. He is Distinguished Professor at Kyoto University's Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS), which he co-founded. In 2025, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry jointly with Richard Robson and Omar M. Yaghi.
Tsutomu Tomioka (冨岡 勉, Tomioka Tsutomu; born 4 July 1948) is a Japanese doctor and former politician who served in the…Tsutomu Tomioka (冨岡 勉, Tomioka Tsutomu; born 4 July 1948) is a Japanese doctor and former politician who served in the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature) as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party.
Eizo Yuguchi (湯口 栄蔵, Yuguchi Eizō; July 4, 1945 – February 2, 2003) was a former Japanese football player. He played…Eizo Yuguchi (湯口 栄蔵, Yuguchi Eizō; July 4, 1945 – February 2, 2003) was a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team.
Ryuichi Sugiyama (杉山 隆一, Sugiyama Ryūichi; born July 4, 1941) is a Japanese former professional football player and…Ryuichi Sugiyama (杉山 隆一, Sugiyama Ryūichi; born July 4, 1941) is a Japanese former professional football player and manager. He played for the Japan national team.
Masakatsu Miyamoto (宮本 征勝, Miyamoto Masakatsu; July 4, 1938 – May 7, 2002) was a Japanese football player and manager.…Masakatsu Miyamoto (宮本 征勝, Miyamoto Masakatsu; July 4, 1938 – May 7, 2002) was a Japanese football player and manager. He played for Japan national team.
Keinosuke Enoeda (榎枝 慶之輔, Enoeda Keinosuke; 4 July 1935 – 29 March 2003) was a Japanese master of Shotokan karate. He…Keinosuke Enoeda (榎枝 慶之輔, Enoeda Keinosuke; 4 July 1935 – 29 March 2003) was a Japanese master of Shotokan karate. He was a former Chief Instructor of the Karate Union of Great Britain. Enoeda was ranked 8th dan in Shotokan karate, and was widely renowned as a formidable karateka (practitioner of karate). Following his death, Enoeda was posthumously awarded the rank of 9th dan.
Masatoshi Wakabayashi (若林 正俊, Wakabayashi Masatoshi; 4 July 1934 – 11 November 2023) was a Japanese politician who was…Masatoshi Wakabayashi (若林 正俊, Wakabayashi Masatoshi; 4 July 1934 – 11 November 2023) was a Japanese politician who was a member of Liberal Democratic Party.
Nobuo Mii (Japanese: 三井 信雄=Mii Nobuo; July 4, 1931 – July 14, 2015), often called Nobi by English speakers, was a…Nobuo Mii (Japanese: 三井 信雄=Mii Nobuo; July 4, 1931 – July 14, 2015), often called Nobi by English speakers, was a Japanese computer pioneer who made various contributions, working for NHK and IBM, and also is an investment fund executive.
Kazuo Yagi (八木 一夫, Yagi Kazuo, 1918–1979) was a Japanese potter and ceramic artist best known for spearheading the…Kazuo Yagi (八木 一夫, Yagi Kazuo, 1918–1979) was a Japanese potter and ceramic artist best known for spearheading the introduction of nonfunctional ceramic vessels to the Japanese pottery world. With an innovative ceramicist as his father, Yagi was sent to art school to study sculpture, instead of pottery. After graduating in 1937, he continued to train in the progressive circles, such as the National Ceramic Research Institute and the Japan Ceramic Sculpture Association. Following a short period of military service in 1939 and through the early postwar years, he was involved in a series of collectives that sought to transcend the traditional aesthetic values in not just ceramics but also in a range of visual media. It was not until 1948 that Yagi established his own ceramics collective, Sōdeisha, a group which rejected extant models of pottery and deliberately sought to blur the line between pottery and sculpture. Inspired in part by Isamu Noguchi's work in Japan in the early 1950s, which used ceramic materials to create modern abstract forms, Yagi and other members debuted so-called obuje-yaki ("kiln-fired objet "), or pottery with no functional purpose. The introduction of obuje-yaki was considered extremely radical at the time, because it questioned the very basis of ceramic objects. Yagi also introduced other experimental ceramic methods later in his career, such as burnishing his pottery objects black (so-called kokutō). Through his ceramic works, Yagi questioned the boundary between pottery and sculpture. However, his steadfast dedication to ceramics ultimately resulted in the nonfunctional ceramic vessel becoming an accepted type within Japanese pottery practice today. His legacy was felt through Sōdeisha, which continued even after his death, and his teaching at Kyoto City University of Arts.
Ayako Sano (佐野禮子, Sano Ayako; July 4, 1913 – September 3, 2003), formerly Princess Ayako Takeda (禮子女王, Ayako Joō), was…Ayako Sano (佐野禮子, Sano Ayako; July 4, 1913 – September 3, 2003), formerly Princess Ayako Takeda (禮子女王, Ayako Joō), was the daughter of Prince Tsunehisa Takeda and Princess Masako Takeda, and was thus the granddaughter of Emperor Meiji through her mother's side. She married Tsunemitsu Sano in March 1934, and had four children. She lost her status as a member of the Imperial Family in October 1947 with the abolition of collateral imperial houses by the American Occupation Authorities. She died on September 3, 2003.
Churyo Sato (Japanese: 佐藤 忠良, Hepburn: Satō Chūryō; 1912 – 2011) was a Japanese sculptor and painter. He was born in…Churyo Sato (Japanese: 佐藤 忠良, Hepburn: Satō Chūryō; 1912 – 2011) was a Japanese sculptor and painter. He was born in Miyagi Prefecture and grew up in Hokkaido. In 1932 he moved to Tokyo to become a painter. Becoming influenced by Aristide Maillol and Charles Despiau, Sato decided to specialize in sculpture. He graduated from the Tokyo School of Fine Arts. From 1934 on, Sato spent the next seventy years making art works primarily from bronze to much acclaim. He was a dedicated artist working from 8 am until 8 pm every day and died on 30 March 2011 at the age of 98.
Noguchi Fujio (野口 富士男, Noguchi Fujio; 4 July 1911 - 22 November 1993) was the pen-name of a novelist in Shōwa period…Noguchi Fujio (野口 富士男, Noguchi Fujio; 4 July 1911 - 22 November 1993) was the pen-name of a novelist in Shōwa period Japan, known primarily for his biographical works and works on literary history. His real name was Fujio Hirai. Noguchi was born in Kōjimachi, Tokyo, and studied at Keio University. His first published work was a novel about the pathos in the lives of common people, Kaze no keifu ("Genealogy of the Wind", 1940). In the post-World War II period, he turned to works biography and literary history, with Tokuda Shusei den ("Biography of Tokuda Shusei", 1965) about the noted author. This was followed by Kurai yoru no watashi ("Myself on a Dark Night", 1969), describing the literary world in Japan during the 1920s and 1930s. His biography of Nagai Kafu Waga Kafu ("My Kafu", 1969), was awarded the Yomiuri Prize. In 1981 he was awarded the Japan Art Academy Prize, and in 1986, he published Kanshokuteki Shōwa bundan shi ("An Impressionistic History of Shōwa Literature").
