Onoe Kikugorō V (五代目 尾上菊五郎, Godaime Onoe Kikugorō; 4 June 1844 – 18 February 1903) was a Japanese Kabuki actor, one of…Onoe Kikugorō V (五代目 尾上菊五郎, Godaime Onoe Kikugorō; 4 June 1844 – 18 February 1903) was a Japanese Kabuki actor, one of the three most famous and celebrated of the Meiji period, along with Ichikawa Danjūrō IX and Ichikawa Sadanji I. Unlike most kabuki actors, who specialize in a particular type of role, Kikugorō, as a kaneru yakusha, played both tachiyaku (male heroes) and onnagata (women) roles and was best known for his roles in plays by Kawatake Mokuami. Kikugorō was also known as one of the chief actors in the "modern" subgenre of kabuki plays known as zangirimono ("cropped hair plays"), featuring Western-style clothes and hairstyle. Kikugorō was a popular figure in ukiyo-e woodblock prints, especially in those by Toyohara Kunichika. He was also featured on Japanese postage stamps, and performed in one of the first motion pictures ever made in Japan, Momijigari, as Taira no Koremochi. The "Ten Old and New Plays" (新古演劇十種, shinko engeki jisshu) associated with the Onoe family were chosen by Kikugorō V and his son Onoe Kikugorō VI, and include many of the plays for which Kikugorō V was himself most famous.
Baron Iwamura Michitoshi (岩村 通俊; 8 July 1840 – 20 February 1915) was a Japanese statesman, active in Meiji period…Baron Iwamura Michitoshi (岩村 通俊; 8 July 1840 – 20 February 1915) was a Japanese statesman, active in Meiji period Japan. He was the first Director of the Hokkaidō Agency from 26 January 1886 through 15 June 1888.
Oura Kei (大浦 慶, Ōura Kei; 1828–1884) was a Japanese businesswoman. She managed a successful tea-import business with…Oura Kei (大浦 慶, Ōura Kei; 1828–1884) was a Japanese businesswoman. She managed a successful tea-import business with the help of her international foreign contacts. She acted as a patron of, among others, Sakamoto Ryoma. She was a figure of importance in contemporary Japan and a celebrity of sorts; during general Ulysses S. Grant's visit to Japan in 1879, she personally escorted him during an official visit to his ship.
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.
Senbon Hisanobu (13 July 1827 – 15 October 1885) was a Japanese politician of the early Meiji period who served as…Senbon Hisanobu (13 July 1827 – 15 October 1885) was a Japanese politician of the early Meiji period who served as governor of Hiroshima Prefecture from 15 to 27 November 1871.
Kawakami Tōgai, originally Hiroshi (Japanese:川上 冬崖; 22 July 1828, Nagano Prefecture - 3 May 1881, Atami) was a Japanese…Kawakami Tōgai, originally Hiroshi (Japanese:川上 冬崖; 22 July 1828, Nagano Prefecture - 3 May 1881, Atami) was a Japanese painter; one of the first to work in the yōga (Western) style.
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.
Tanomura Chikuden (田能村 竹田; Japanese pronunciation: [tɕi̥.kɯꜜ.deɴ], July 14, 1777 – October 20, 1835) was an artist and…Tanomura Chikuden (田能村 竹田; Japanese pronunciation: [tɕi̥.kɯꜜ.deɴ], July 14, 1777 – October 20, 1835) was an artist and Confucian scholar of Edo period Japan.
Tokugawa Mitsukuni (徳川 光圀; Japanese pronunciation: [to.kɯꜜ.ɡa.wa | mʲi.tsɯ̥.kɯꜜ.ɲi, -kɯ.ɡa.wa mʲi.tsɯ̥.kɯꜜ-, -ŋa.wa-]…Tokugawa Mitsukuni (徳川 光圀; Japanese pronunciation: [to.kɯꜜ.ɡa.wa | mʲi.tsɯ̥.kɯꜜ.ɲi, -kɯ.ɡa.wa mʲi.tsɯ̥.kɯꜜ-, -ŋa.wa-], 11 July 1628 – 14 January 1701), also known as Mito Kōmon (水戸黄門; [mʲi.to (|) koː.moɴ]), was a Japanese daimyo who was known for his influence in the politics of the early Edo period. He was the third son of Tokugawa Yorifusa (who in turn was the eleventh son of Tokugawa Ieyasu) and succeeded him, becoming the second daimyo of the Mito Domain.
Mei-chan no Shitsuji (メイちゃんの執事; "Mei-chan's Butler") is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Riko Miyagi.…Mei-chan no Shitsuji (メイちゃんの執事; "Mei-chan's Butler") is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Riko Miyagi. The manga was serialized in Shueisha's Margaret magazine. The manga is licensed and published in Chinese in Taiwan by Tong Li Publishing. The manga has been adapted into a live-action Japanese television drama, which was broadcast on Fuji TV between January 13 and March 17, 2009.
Shōko Ieda (家田 荘子, Ieda Shōko; born 1958 in Aichi Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese writer of non-fiction. She is known…Shōko Ieda (家田 荘子, Ieda Shōko; born 1958 in Aichi Prefecture, Japan) is a Japanese writer of non-fiction. She is known for titillating novels replete with interracial sex scenes, and has aroused a great deal of controversy in Japan; her works have been accused of "demonising female sexuality".
Nonoc (stylized as nonoc, born July 12) is a Japanese singer from Utashinai, Hokkaido who was affiliated with Kadokawa…Nonoc (stylized as nonoc, born July 12) is a Japanese singer from Utashinai, Hokkaido who was affiliated with Kadokawa Corporation until 2024, when she joined the brand-new record label New World Line.
Shingo Adachi (Japanese: 足立 慎吾, Hepburn: Adachi Shingo) is a Japanese animator, character designer, and director. He is…Shingo Adachi (Japanese: 足立 慎吾, Hepburn: Adachi Shingo) is a Japanese animator, character designer, and director. He is best known for his work on Sword Art Online, the anime series based on the light novel of the same name.
Eiko Ishibashi (石橋 英子, Ishibashi Eiko) is a Japanese singer-songwriter and musician. She composed the scores for the…Eiko Ishibashi (石橋 英子, Ishibashi Eiko) is a Japanese singer-songwriter and musician. She composed the scores for the films Drive My Car (2021) and Evil Does Not Exist (2023).