So Aono (青野 聰, Aono Sō; July 27, 1943) is a Japanese novelist. He is the third son of literary critic Suekichi Aono.…So Aono (青野 聰, Aono Sō; July 27, 1943) is a Japanese novelist. He is the third son of literary critic Suekichi Aono. Aono was born in Tokyo and studied literature at Waseda University but left the university early to travel. After visiting Europe and Northern Africa, he returned to Japan in 1971, publishing his first work in the Waseda literary magazine. From 1972 to 1977 he travelled through Europe again. Upon his return to Japan, Aono became active in literary and critical writings. He currently lives in Tokyo and is a Professor of Literature at Tama Art University. Aono has translated works by Charles Bukowski into Japanese.
Morito Suganuma (Japanese: 菅沼守人; born 27 July 1942) is a Japanese aikido teacher holding the rank of 8th dan in the…Morito Suganuma (Japanese: 菅沼守人; born 27 July 1942) is a Japanese aikido teacher holding the rank of 8th dan in the Aikikai . Born in Fukushima, Japan, his first contact with aikido was in 1963 at the Asia University in Tokyo where he followed a class taught by Nobuyoshi Tamura. The next year, Tamura introduced him to the Aikikai Hombu Dojo where he started training assiduously under Morihei Ueshiba, Kisshomaru Ueshiba and other prominent Hombu instructors. He officially became an uchideshi in 1967 after graduating from university. On 19 April 1970, shortly after the death of Morihei Ueshiba, Suganuma was sent to Fukuoka by Kisshomaru Ueshiba as the Aikikai's representative for the Kyūshū district. He is the founder and dojocho of Aikido Shoheijuku Dojo, which today encompasses about 70 dojo and 4000 students. Although primarily based in Fukuoka, he is regularly invited to give aikido seminars around the world. Seminar locations have included Vancouver, Norway, the Netherlands, Israel, and Beijing. He received his 8th dan Aikikai in 2001. He is also a well-known shodo master and regularly practices zen meditation and yoga.
Hiro Sachiya (ひろさちや, Hirosachiya; 1936 – April 7, 2022) was a Japanese religious scholar and a popular contemporary…Hiro Sachiya (ひろさちや, Hirosachiya; 1936 – April 7, 2022) was a Japanese religious scholar and a popular contemporary writer of Buddhism. His birth name is Yoshihiko Masuhara (増原 良彦). He was born in Osaka Prefecture and studied Indian philosophy at University of Tokyo, graduating in 1960. Under the pen name Hiro Sachiya (derived from the Sanskrit Satya), he has written more than 400 books and articles. His interest in religion is not limited to Buddhism. He is mostly known for his comparative studies in all religions including Buddhism, Shinto, Christianity, Islam, and Confucianism.
Hatsue Nagakubo-Takamizawa (born 27 July 1935) is a Japanese speed skater. She competed at the 1960 Winter Olympics and…Hatsue Nagakubo-Takamizawa (born 27 July 1935) is a Japanese speed skater. She competed at the 1960 Winter Olympics and the 1964 Winter Olympics.
Michio Ariyoshi (有吉 道夫, Ariyoshi Michio; July 27, 1935 – September 27, 2022) was a Japanese professional shogi player…Michio Ariyoshi (有吉 道夫, Ariyoshi Michio; July 27, 1935 – September 27, 2022) was a Japanese professional shogi player who achieved the rank of 9-dan. He authored a Tsume shogi book titled "Tsume shogi 121 sen(詰将棋121選)".
Tadao Takashima (高島忠夫, Takashima Tadao) (27 July 1930 – 26 June 2019) was a Japanese actor and jazz musician. He…Tadao Takashima (高島忠夫, Takashima Tadao) (27 July 1930 – 26 June 2019) was a Japanese actor and jazz musician. He appeared in more than 100 films, including the Toho productions King Kong vs. Godzilla, Atragon, and Frankenstein vs. Baragon. He also performed in stage musicals such as My Fair Lady and appeared in several television shows.
Kiyoji Ōtsuji (大辻 清司, Ōtsuji Kiyoji; 1923–2001) was a Japanese photographer, photography theorist, and educator. He was…Kiyoji Ōtsuji (大辻 清司, Ōtsuji Kiyoji; 1923–2001) was a Japanese photographer, photography theorist, and educator. He was active in the avant-garde art world in Japan after World War II, both creating his own experimental photographs, and taking widely circulated documentary photographs of other artists and art projects. He became an authority in Japanese photography, extensively publishing commentaries and educating future generations of photographers.
Kazuto Tsuruoka (鶴岡 一人, Tsuruoka Kazuto; July 27, 1916 – March 7, 2000), also known as Kazuto Yamamoto, was a Japanese…Kazuto Tsuruoka (鶴岡 一人, Tsuruoka Kazuto; July 27, 1916 – March 7, 2000), also known as Kazuto Yamamoto, was a Japanese professional baseball infielder and manager in the Japan Baseball League (JBL) and Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). Tsuruoka played for the same franchise in 1939, and from 1946 to 1952, which during his career changed names from the Nankai Club to Kinki Great Ring, and ultimately to the Nankai Hawks. Tsuruoka did not play professional baseball from 1940 to 1945 due to World War II. In 1939, he won the JBL home run title with 10. In 1946, he won the JBL Most Valuable Player Award, repeating the feat in 1948. His team won the JBL championship both those years. In 1949, he was named player-manager of the Hawks. His playing career ended after the 1952 season, but he stayed on as the team's manager through the 1968 season, guiding the team to Japan Series championships in 1959 and 1964. His managerial record overall was 1773–1140, for a winning percentage of .609. His teams finished .500 or better in 21 of 23 seasons as a manager. Tsuruoka was elected by the Selection Committee for the Players to the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 1965.
Masatake Okumiya (奥宮 正武, Okumiya Masatake; July 27, 1909 – February 22, 2007) was a historian and lieutenant general in…Masatake Okumiya (奥宮 正武, Okumiya Masatake; July 27, 1909 – February 22, 2007) was a historian and lieutenant general in the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. Okumiya graduated from the Imperial Japanese Naval Academy in 1930 as a midshipman. He was commissioned an ensign in April 1932, received his wings in November 1933 as a naval aviator, and was promoted to sub-lieutenant in the same month. He entered the Naval Air Corps at Ōmura, receiving promotion to lieutenant in December 1936. In 1937, he participated in the attack on the USS Panay. Promoted to lieutenant-commander in October 1941, Okumiya served throughout World War II, including on the aircraft carrier Ryūjō and with the 2nd Air Fleet of the Imperial Japanese Navy. During 1942–1943, he served as chief of staff of the 26th Naval Air Squadron, and was appointed to a staff post in August 1944. He was promoted to his final rank of commander in November 1944. At the end of the war, Okumiya was interrogated by Allied intelligence officers, after which he was demobilized. Following the occupation of Japan, he joined the nascent Japan Air Self-Defense Force in 1954. He returned to active duty in July 1957 with the rank of colonel, and was appointed commander of the air base at Utsunomiya. He was promoted to major general in February 1958 and served as deputy head of Personnel and Training from August 1959 to April 1960. He commanded the 3rd Air Wing from Komaki Air Base in 1961, followed by command of the Ichigaya Air Base in 1962. He was promoted to lieutenant-general in 1963 and ended his career as commander of the ATC and Meteorological Group. He retired the following year. Okumiya wrote extensively on Japan's role in World War II. He co-wrote with Mitsuo Fuchida Midway: The Battle that Doomed Japan; the Japanese Navy's Story, published 1955. His remark that "I am firmly convinced that the Pacific War was started by men who did not understand the sea, and fought by men who did not understand the air." is often quoted. He also co-wrote, with Jiro Horikoshi and Martin Caidin, an historical account of the Mitsubishi A6M Zero, titled Zero! The book was published in 1956.
Seishichi Inuma (井沼 清七, Inuma Seishichi; 27 July 1907 – 1 October 1973) was a Japanese sprinter. He competed in the…Seishichi Inuma (井沼 清七, Inuma Seishichi; 27 July 1907 – 1 October 1973) was a Japanese sprinter. He competed in the men's 4 × 100 metres relay at the 1928 Summer Olympics.
Tamaki Tokuyama (徳山 璉, Tokuyama Tamaki; July 27, 1903 – January 28, 1942) was a classically trained baritone and a…Tamaki Tokuyama (徳山 璉, Tokuyama Tamaki; July 27, 1903 – January 28, 1942) was a classically trained baritone and a famous singer of popular music in early Shōwa era Japan.
Fujisaburō Ono (小野 藤三郎, Ono Fujisaburō; July 27, 1903 – October 8, 1996), better known as Tōzaburō Ono (小野 十三郎, Ono…Fujisaburō Ono (小野 藤三郎, Ono Fujisaburō; July 27, 1903 – October 8, 1996), better known as Tōzaburō Ono (小野 十三郎, Ono Tōzaburō), was a Japanese poet and anarchist known for his critique of lyric poetry and as an advocate of long, rational poems.
Kazuzo Kudo (1898–1970) is a former Judo instructor and author. Kudo was born in 1898. Kudo reached the 9th dan in…Kazuzo Kudo (1898–1970) is a former Judo instructor and author. Kudo was born in 1898. Kudo reached the 9th dan in 1967. Kudo was the author of Judo books, Judo in Action Throwing Techniques, and Judo in Action Grappling Techniques. He was also the author of Dynamic Judo. By 1970, he was the sole living person to have studied under Kanō Jigorō. In the same year he served as the director of the Kodokan Judo Institute. He died in 1970.
Yūzō Yamamoto (山本 有三, Yamamoto Yūzō; 27 July 1887 – 11 January 1974) was a Japanese novelist and playwright. His real…Yūzō Yamamoto (山本 有三, Yamamoto Yūzō; 27 July 1887 – 11 January 1974) was a Japanese novelist and playwright. His real name was written as "山本 勇造" but pronounced the same as his pen name.
Iwane Matsui (松井 石根, Matsui Iwane; July 27, 1878 – December 23, 1948) was a Japanese general in the Imperial Japanese…Iwane Matsui (松井 石根, Matsui Iwane; July 27, 1878 – December 23, 1948) was a Japanese general in the Imperial Japanese Army and the commander of the expeditionary force sent to China in 1937. He was convicted of war crimes and executed by the Allies for his involvement in the Nanjing Massacre. Born in Nagoya, Matsui chose a military career and served in combat during the Russo-Japanese War (1904–05). He volunteered for an overseas assignment there shortly after graduating from the Army War College in 1906. As Matsui rose through the ranks, he earned a reputation as the Japanese Army's foremost expert on China, and he was an ardent advocate of pan-Asianism. He played a key role in founding the influential Greater Asia Association. Matsui retired from active duty in 1935 but was called back into service in August 1937 at the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War to lead the Japanese forces engaged in the Battle of Shanghai. After winning the battle Matsui succeeded in convincing Japan's high command to advance on the Chinese capital city of Nanjing. The troops under his command who captured Nanjing on December 13 were responsible for the notorious Nanjing Massacre. Matsui finally retired from the army in 1938. Following Japan's defeat in World War II he was convicted of war crimes at the International Military Tribunal for the Far East (IMTFE) and executed by hanging. He and other convicted war criminals were enshrined at Yasukuni Shrine in 1978, an act that has stirred controversy.
Jūrō Oka (岡 十郎 Oka Jūrō, 27 July 1870 – 8 January 1923) was a Japanese businessman considered the "father of Japanese…Jūrō Oka (岡 十郎 Oka Jūrō, 27 July 1870 – 8 January 1923) was a Japanese businessman considered the "father of Japanese whaling". In the 1890s Oka travelled to the West to acquire whaling techniques and equipment, and in 1899 established Nihon En'yō Gyogyō K.K., which caught its first whale the following year with Norwegian gunner. Whaling in Japan grew rapidly and competition was fierce. In 1908 Oka became the first president of the Japan Whaling Association. Oka declared Japan would "become one of the greatest whaling nations in the world ... The day will come when we shall hear one morning that whales have been caught in the Arctic and in the evening that whales are being hunted in the Antarctic."
Mineichirō Adachi (安達 峰一郎, Adachi Mineichirō; July 29, 1869 – December 28, 1934) was a Japanese legal expert and…Mineichirō Adachi (安達 峰一郎, Adachi Mineichirō; July 29, 1869 – December 28, 1934) was a Japanese legal expert and President of the Permanent Court of International Justice at the Hague from 1931 until 1934.
Akizuki Teijirō (秋月 悌次郎; 1824 – January 5, 1900) was a Japanese samurai of the late Edo period, who served the…Akizuki Teijirō (秋月 悌次郎; 1824 – January 5, 1900) was a Japanese samurai of the late Edo period, who served the Matsudaira clan of Aizu. Born in Aizuwakamatsu, Akizuki was recognized early as a skilled scholar, and he studied at the Tokugawa Shogunate's Shoheizaka school in Edo. He served as an advisor to Matsudaira Katamori, and was present for most of the latter's tenure as Kyoto Shugoshoku from 1862 to 1867. Akizuki was a senior commander of Aizu forces during the Boshin War. After the war, he became an educator, and worked in high schools in Kyushu. Later in his life, he was a colleague of Lafcadio Hearn, who referred to him in his writings.