Noriaki Inoue (井上 鑑昭, Inoue Noriaki; 1902-12-03, Tanabe – 1994-04-13, Kunitachi) was a Japanese martial artist, who was…Noriaki Inoue (井上 鑑昭, Inoue Noriaki; 1902-12-03, Tanabe – 1994-04-13, Kunitachi) was a Japanese martial artist, who was in his early years closely associated with the spiritual and technical development of aikido along with his uncle Morihei Ueshiba. Inoue is the founder of Shinwa Taidō, a martial art which he later renamed to Shin'ei Taidō. He was the fourth child of Zenso Inoue, the patriarch of the wealthy Inoue family of Tanabe, and of Tame Ueshiba, the eldest sister of Morihei. Much of Noriaki's childhood was spent in the company of Ueshiba. He joined his uncle at Shirataki in a settlement expedition in the north of the island of Hokkaidō (1912–1919) and studied the Daito-ryu Aiki-Jutsu with him under Sokaku Takeda. He was also closely associated with the discovery by Ueshiba of the Omoto sect in Ayabe and his encounter with its spiritual leader Onisaburo Deguchi which had a decisive influence in Ueshiba's later philosophy. Inoue then actively collaborated with his uncle into the spreading of aikibudō, the art derived from the daitō-ryū that Ueshiba has perfected. In 1927, the two men settled in Tokyo, teaching at various locations until the construction in 1931 of Ueshiba's first permanent dojo, the Kobukan. However, after the second Omoto incident (1935) when the military government suppressed the Omoto sect, a breach developed between Ueshiba and his nephew, the latter accusing the former of betraying the cause of the sect by not sharing the fate of its leaders, and the two eventually parted ways with mutual resentment. After the war, Inoue continued to teach in Tokyo independently from Ueshiba, instructing US Air Force officers. While the original aikibudō has now evolved into aikido under Ueshiba, Inoue kept teaching his art as such until 1956 when he changed its name into Shinwa Taidō and finally Shin'ei Taidō. He had little interaction with the Aikikai organization which followed the death of Ueshiba and continued teaching actively until his death. He considered himself a co-founder of aikido along with Ueshiba although that is disputed by the Ueshiba family. Inoue used various names throughout his life: Kitamatsumaru (1902), Yoichiro (1909), Yoshiharu (1920), Seisho (1940), Hoken (1948), Teruyoshi (1971), and finally Noriaki (1973).
Kiyoshi Oka (岡 潔, Oka Kiyoshi; April 19, 1901 – March 1, 1978) was a Japanese mathematician who did fundamental work in…Kiyoshi Oka (岡 潔, Oka Kiyoshi; April 19, 1901 – March 1, 1978) was a Japanese mathematician who did fundamental work in the theory of several complex variables.
Minolta Co., Ltd. (ミノルタ, Minoruta) was a Japanese manufacturer of cameras, lenses, camera accessories, binoculars…Minolta Co., Ltd. (ミノルタ, Minoruta) was a Japanese manufacturer of cameras, lenses, camera accessories, binoculars, photocopiers, fax machines, and laser printers. Minolta Co., Ltd., which is also known simply as Minolta, was founded in Osaka, Japan, in 1928 as Nichi-Doku Shashinki Shōten (日独写真機商店; meaning Japanese-German camera shop). In 1931, the company adopted Minolta for their cameras, an acronym for the German phrase "Mechanismus, Instrumente, Optik, und Linsen von Tashima". Between 1937 and 1962 they became known as Chiyoda Kōgaku Seikō K.K. (千代田光学精工㈱, meaning Chiyoda Optics and Precision Industry Co., Ltd.) before adopting the Minolta name as their final company iteration. The Minolta 'Rising Sun' logo was designed by Saul Bass in 1981. Minolta made the first integrated autofocus 35mm SLR camera system with the Alpha α/Maxxum 7000/AF in 1985. In 2003, Minolta merged with Konica to form Konica Minolta. On 19 January 2006, Konica Minolta announced that it was leaving the camera and photo business, and that it would sell a portion of its SLR camera business to Sony as part of its move to pull completely out of the business of selling cameras and photographic film. Between 2015 and 2016, Konica Minolta lost the rights to the Minolta US trademark for photographic equipment in a trial against JMM Lee Properties LLC, citing Trademark abandonment. Assuming control of several Minolta Trademarks in photographic industries by 2017, JMM Lee began licensing the name to Elite Brands Inc. This is an example of zombie trademarking
Seiichirō Furuta (古田 誠一郎, Furuta Seiichirō; 27 June 1897 – 3 December 1992) was a Japanese social reformer, educator…Seiichirō Furuta (古田 誠一郎, Furuta Seiichirō; 27 June 1897 – 3 December 1992) was a Japanese social reformer, educator, radio and TV personality, and politician from Wakayama city, Wakayama Prefecture. One of the leaders of the Boy Scouts' early days in Japan and the first to be elected mayor of Takatsuki, Osaka, he served as the director of the Scout Association of Japan, as well as executive director of the Japan Camping Federation.
Kōnosuke Matsushita (松下 幸之助, Matsushita Kōnosuke; 27 November 1894 – 27 April 1989) was a Japanese industrialist who…Kōnosuke Matsushita (松下 幸之助, Matsushita Kōnosuke; 27 November 1894 – 27 April 1989) was a Japanese industrialist who founded Panasonic, the largest Japanese consumer electronics company. Matsushita is referred to as the "God of Management" in Japan.
Kanpū Ōmata (大亦 観風, Ōmata Kanpū; 9 September 1894 – 22 October 1947) was the pseudonym of Japanese Shōwa period painter…Kanpū Ōmata (大亦 観風, Ōmata Kanpū; 9 September 1894 – 22 October 1947) was the pseudonym of Japanese Shōwa period painter and Waka poet, Omata Shinjirō.
Eitaro Ishigaki (石垣 栄太郎, Ishigaki Eitarō; December 1, 1893 - January 23, 1958) was a Japanese-born American painter. He…Eitaro Ishigaki (石垣 栄太郎, Ishigaki Eitarō; December 1, 1893 - January 23, 1958) was a Japanese-born American painter. He lived and worked in the United States between 1909 and 1952. Ishigaki, who came to the US as a migrant worker in the early 20th century, depicted the contradictions of American society from the perspective of a minority person. Ishigaki was also a founding member of progressive and politically active organizations, including the John Reed Clubs (JRC) in 1929 and the American Artists' Congress in 1936. Ishigaki was a committed leftist throughout his life and career, "whose canvases and murals depicted social injustices and urban life." His one of best known works, The Bonus March (1932), depicts a critical moment in WWI veterans' famous march into Washington, D.C., in 1932. Ishigaki's work is held by the Art Institute of Chicago. In 1997 and 2013, the Museum of Modern Art, Wakayama held commemorative exhibitions of his works. His work is also located in the Ishigaki Eitaro Memorial Museum in Wakayama, Japan.
Haruo Sato (佐藤 春夫, Satō Haruo; 9 April 1892 – 6 May 1964) was a Japanese novelist and poet active during the Taishō and…Haruo Sato (佐藤 春夫, Satō Haruo; 9 April 1892 – 6 May 1964) was a Japanese novelist and poet active during the Taishō and Shōwa periods of Japan. His works are known for their explorations of melancholy. He won the 4th Yomiuri Prize.
Seitarō Kitayama (北山 清太郎, Kitayama Seitarō; March 3, 1888 – February 13, 1945) was an early Japanese animation director…Seitarō Kitayama (北山 清太郎, Kitayama Seitarō; March 3, 1888 – February 13, 1945) was an early Japanese animation director whose work includes the first examples of commercial production of anime. Kitayama was referred to as one of the fathers of anime by Yoshirō Irie, a researcher at Japan's National Film Center.
Kawabata Shotarō (川端 昇太郎; 6 June 1885 – 10 April 1966), later known as Kawabata Ryūshi (川端 龍子; Japanese pronunciation…Kawabata Shotarō (川端 昇太郎; 6 June 1885 – 10 April 1966), later known as Kawabata Ryūshi (川端 龍子; Japanese pronunciation: [ka.wa.ba.ta (|) ɾʲɯꜜː.ɕi],), was a Japanese Nihonga artist active during the Taishō and Shōwa periods.
Ken Terajima (寺島健, Terajima Ken; 23 September 1882 – 30 October 1972) was a Japanese Vice Admiral and politician. He…Ken Terajima (寺島健, Terajima Ken; 23 September 1882 – 30 October 1972) was a Japanese Vice Admiral and politician. He served as the Minister of Communications from 18 October 1941 to 8 October 1943, and Minister of Railways from 18 October 1941 to 2 December 1941, in the Tōjō Cabinet.
Kichisaburō Nomura (野村 吉三郎, Nomura Kichisaburō; December 16, 1877 – May 8, 1964) was an admiral in the Imperial…Kichisaburō Nomura (野村 吉三郎, Nomura Kichisaburō; December 16, 1877 – May 8, 1964) was an admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy and was the ambassador to the United States at the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Hiroshi Shimomura (Japanese: 下村宏; 11 May 1875 – 9 December 1957) was a Japanese official who served as minister of…Hiroshi Shimomura (Japanese: 下村宏; 11 May 1875 – 9 December 1957) was a Japanese official who served as minister of state and director general of the Cabinet Intelligence Bureau in 1945, at the end of World War II. In that capacity, he was involved in realising the Emperor's surrender broadcast. He was the fourth president of the Japanese Olympic Committee (1937–1942), and a graduate of Tokyo Imperial University.
Minakata Kumagusu (南方 熊楠; May 18, 1867 – December 29, 1941) was a Japanese author, biologist, naturalist and…Minakata Kumagusu (南方 熊楠; May 18, 1867 – December 29, 1941) was a Japanese author, biologist, naturalist and ethnologist.
Gempō Yamamoto (山本玄峰, Yamamoto Genpō; 1866-1961) was the abbot of both Ryūtaku-ji and Shoin-ji in Japan—also serving…Gempō Yamamoto (山本玄峰, Yamamoto Genpō; 1866-1961) was the abbot of both Ryūtaku-ji and Shoin-ji in Japan—also serving temporarily as the head of the Myōshin-ji branch of Rinzai Zen Buddhism.
Admiral Arima Ryōkitsu (有馬 良橘; December 16, 1861 – May 1, 1944) was a career naval officer in the Imperial Japanese…Admiral Arima Ryōkitsu (有馬 良橘; December 16, 1861 – May 1, 1944) was a career naval officer in the Imperial Japanese Navy during Meiji and Taishō periods.
Okazaki Kunisuke (岡崎邦輔; 12 April 1854 – 22 July 1936) was a politician and cabinet minister in the late Meiji and…Okazaki Kunisuke (岡崎邦輔; 12 April 1854 – 22 July 1936) was a politician and cabinet minister in the late Meiji and Taishō period Empire of Japan.
Sendagawa Kichizō (Japanese: 千田川 吉藏; born Kumakichi Mera (目良 熊吉, Mera Kumakichi), 1793 – January 8, 1828) was a…Sendagawa Kichizō (Japanese: 千田川 吉藏; born Kumakichi Mera (目良 熊吉, Mera Kumakichi), 1793 – January 8, 1828) was a Japanese sumo wrestler from Muro District, Kii Province (now Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture). His highest rank was ōzeki. As of March 1815 he is the only wrestler from Wakayama Prefecture to have been promoted to sumo's second highest rank.
Daichi Yamamoto (山本大地, Yamamoto Daichi; born 28 May 1991) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of…Daichi Yamamoto (山本大地, Yamamoto Daichi; born 28 May 1991) is a Japanese politician serving as a member of the House of Representatives since 2024. From 2022 to 2024, he was a city councillor of Wakayama.
Takao Obana (尾花 高夫 Obana Takao, born August 7, 1957, in Kudoyama, Wakayama) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball…Takao Obana (尾花 高夫 Obana Takao, born August 7, 1957, in Kudoyama, Wakayama) is a former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher and coach. Takao was the Yakult Swallows's fourth pick in the 1978 draft and played the entirety of his 14-year career with the team. He was also the manager of the Yokohama BayStars, the pitching coach for the Swallows, the Chiba Lotte Marines, Fukuoka Daiei Hawks and the Yomiuri Giants. His daughter Kie is a model.
Ryoga Tomiyama (富山 凌雅, Tomiyama Ryoga; born May 3, 1997 in Gobō, Wakayama, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball…Ryoga Tomiyama (富山 凌雅, Tomiyama Ryoga; born May 3, 1997 in Gobō, Wakayama, Japan) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays pitcher for the Orix Buffaloes.
Rika Hayashi (Japanese: はやし りか, Hepburn: Hayashi Rika; born 1 June) is a Japanese voice actress affiliated with Arts…Rika Hayashi (Japanese: はやし りか, Hepburn: Hayashi Rika; born 1 June) is a Japanese voice actress affiliated with Arts Vision. She starred as Tonbo Ōi in Tonbo! and won the Seiyu Award for Best Rookie Actor at the 19th Seiyu Awards.
Katsuyuki Konishi (小西 克幸, Konishi Katsuyuki) is a Japanese voice actor from Wakayama, Japan. He is affiliated with Ken…Katsuyuki Konishi (小西 克幸, Konishi Katsuyuki) is a Japanese voice actor from Wakayama, Japan. He is affiliated with Ken Production. His debut role was Volfogg/Big Volfogg in GaoGaiGar. He is most well known for portraying Kamina in Gurren Lagann, Laxus Dreyar in Fairy Tail and Tanktop Master in One Punch Man. In the early 2000s until the year 2008 he gave the voice to Phoenix Ikki in Saint Seiya throughout the Hades Saga. He is also known for voicing two characters, Keigo Asano and Shuhei Hisagi, both from Bleach. Konishi also voiced Diavolo from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind, Jonathan Joestar from the Phantom Blood film, and Tengen Uzui from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. He was the special guest at the 2010 Anime Expo in Los Angeles, USA, where he met his fans and revealed that his favorite anime character was Kamina from Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann; also adding that each character whom he voiced is important to him. Konishi was awarded the Best Supporting Actor Award in the 9th Annual Seiyu Awards on March 6, 2015.
Masatoshi Ishida (石田 真敏, Ishida Masatoshi; born 11 April 1952) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party…Masatoshi Ishida (石田 真敏, Ishida Masatoshi; born 11 April 1952) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party and a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature). He served as the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications from 2 October 2018 to 11 September 2019. A native of Kainan, Wakayama and graduate of Waseda University, he was elected to the first of his three terms in the Wakayama Prefectural Assembly in 1983 and then to the first of his two terms as mayor of Kainan in 1994. He was elected to the House of Representatives for the first time in 2002.
Tadahiro Kosaka (Japanese: 小坂 忠広; born February 10, 1960) is a retired Japanese male race walker. He competed for Japan…Tadahiro Kosaka (Japanese: 小坂 忠広; born February 10, 1960) is a retired Japanese male race walker. He competed for Japan at three consecutive Summer Olympics: 1988, 1992, and 1996.