Masayuki Tanaka (田中 昌之, Tanaka Masayuki; June 30, 1951) is a Japanese singer. He was born in Imari, Saga Prefecture. He…
Masayuki Tanaka (田中 昌之, Tanaka Masayuki; June 30, 1951) is a Japanese singer. He was born in Imari, Saga Prefecture. He is one of the two original vocalists of the band Crystal King (クリスタルキング, Kurisutaru Kingu), known for their anime soundtracks such as Fist of the North Star (北斗の拳, Hokuto no Ken) where Tanaka provided the vocals in the chorus of its opening theme. After leaving Crystal King, he started a solo career but lost his voice after being struck in the throat by a baseball and was never able to regain his original vocal range. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, he worked on the soundtracks of the tokusatsu series Ultraman Gaia (ウルトラマンガイア, Urutoraman Gaia) and Kamen Rider Kuuga (仮面ライダークウガ, Kamen Raidā Kūga). He is also featured on the Katamari Damacy soundtrack Katamari Fortissimo Damacy where he sings "Katamari on the Rock" (塊オンザロック, Katamari on za Rokku), the main theme of the game. Tanaka has had his name variably written as 田中昌之 and 田中雅将 in his career, before choosing 田中雅之 in 2004, and then switching back to his birth name kanji in 2013. Masayuki rerecorded on one of his greatest hits, Kamen Rider Kuuga's theme song with Rider Chips for the release of Heisei Kamen Rider 20 Titles Commemoration Best, which was released on May 1, 2019.
Famous People from Saga Prefecture
Saga Prefecture: 163 people
Hirotoshi Watanabe (Japanese: 王貞治, Watanabe Hirotoshi, 20 November 1948 – 2016) was a Japanese professional baseball…
Hirotoshi Watanabe (Japanese: 王貞治, Watanabe Hirotoshi, 20 November 1948 – 2016) was a Japanese professional baseball player and coach. He had a brief playing career as a relief pitcher with the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball, and later worked to promote baseball internationally. Watanabe signed with the Nishitetsu Lions in 1970 after graduating from Nihon University, where he studied to become a teacher. He was traded to the Hanshin Tigers for cash during the 1972 offseason. He appeared in six games for the Tigers over the 1974 and 1975 seasons, allowing three runs in nine innings pitched. After retiring, he worked for a sporting goods manufacturer. Watanabe got his start coaching internationally in 1999, sent to Ghana at the behest of the Japan International Cooperation Agency. He was tapped by the Asian Baseball Federation to manage the Pakistan national baseball team at the 2003 Asian Baseball Championship; at the helm of Pakistan, he won a historic victory against Indonesia. At the time, he was among the first foreigners to coach the Pakistan national team. He has also served as the manager of the Thailand national baseball team, including at the 2011 SEA Games and at the 2013 World Baseball Classic qualifiers. Watanabe died in late 2016.
Taizo Ichinose (一ノ瀬 泰造, November 1, 1947 – November 29, 1973) was a Japanese war photographer. He was born in Takeo…
Taizo Ichinose (一ノ瀬 泰造, November 1, 1947 – November 29, 1973) was a Japanese war photographer. He was born in Takeo, Saga Prefecture, Kyushu. When Ichinose was a student at Takeo High School, he played for the school baseball team and participated in the Japanese High School Baseball Championship. Ichinose was killed while he was in Cambodia, by Khmer Rouge soldiers while attempting to make it to Angkor, at the age of 26.
Masahiro Imamura (今村 雅弘, Imamura Masahiro; born 25 January 1947) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal…
Masahiro Imamura (今村 雅弘, Imamura Masahiro; born 25 January 1947) is a former Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Diet (national legislature).
Jun'ya Yokota (横田順彌, Yokota Jun'ya; 11 November 1945 - 4 January 2019) was a Japanese science fiction writer and a…
Jun'ya Yokota (横田順彌, Yokota Jun'ya; 11 November 1945 - 4 January 2019) was a Japanese science fiction writer and a researcher of Meiji era cultural history. He is the winner of multiple Taisho Awards, the Ozaki Memorial Prize, and the Mystery Writers of Japan Award. He also used the pseudonyms 横田順弥 (same pronunciation) and Jun Masaki (真木じゅん, Masaki Jun).
Seiichiro Sasaki (佐々木 精一郎, Sasaki Seiichirō; born 2 September 1945) is a Japanese long-distance runner. He competed in…
Seiichiro Sasaki (佐々木 精一郎, Sasaki Seiichirō; born 2 September 1945) is a Japanese long-distance runner. He competed in the marathon at the 1968 Summer Olympics. Sasaki achieved a personal best in the marathon of 2:11:17, set in the 1967 Fukuoka Marathon, finishing second behind Derek Clayton, who ran 2:09:36.4, a world record for the marathon distance at that time. Sasaki's performance in this marathon was the second fastest in history up to that time.
Akira Narita (born April 9, 1945, in Karatsu, Saga) is a Japanese manga artist best known for writing about his…
Akira Narita (born April 9, 1945, in Karatsu, Saga) is a Japanese manga artist best known for writing about his experiences with the Japanese telekura (telephone club) industry.
Kunio Murai (村井 國夫, Murai Kunio; born September 20, 1944) is a Chinese-born Japanese actor and voice actor. He is best…
Kunio Murai (村井 國夫, Murai Kunio; born September 20, 1944) is a Chinese-born Japanese actor and voice actor. He is best known as the official Japanese dub voice of Harrison Ford, with Ford's personal approval.
Daikirin Takayoshi (大麒麟 將能) (20 June 1942 – 4 August 2010), born Masakatsu Tsutsumi, was a sumo wrestler from Saga…
Daikirin Takayoshi (大麒麟 將能) (20 June 1942 – 4 August 2010), born Masakatsu Tsutsumi, was a sumo wrestler from Saga Prefecture, Japan. He began his professional career in 1958 and reached his highest rank of ōzeki twelve years later in 1970. He retired in 1974, and until June 2006 he was an elder of the Sumo Association under the name Oshiogawa.
Hiromi Iwanaga (岩永 浩美, Iwanaga Hiromi; born June 17, 1942) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a…
Hiromi Iwanaga (岩永 浩美, Iwanaga Hiromi; born June 17, 1942) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet (national legislature). A native of Arita, Saga and dropout of Chuo University, he had served in the assembly of Saga Prefecture for six terms since 1975 and was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 1995.
Naohiro Ikeda (池田 尚弘, Ikeda Naohiro; later Nakano 中野, 17 January 1940 – 3 January 2021) was a Japanese volleyball…
Naohiro Ikeda (池田 尚弘, Ikeda Naohiro; later Nakano 中野, 17 January 1940 – 3 January 2021) was a Japanese volleyball player who competed in the 1964 Summer Olympics and in the 1968 Summer Olympics. He was born in Saga Prefecture. In 1964 he was part of the Japanese team which won the bronze medal in the Olympic tournament. He played all nine matches. Four years later he was a squad member of the Japanese team which won the silver medal in the 1968 Olympic tournament. He died from lymphoma.
Hiroshi Gondoh (権藤 博, Gondō Hiroshi; born December 2, 1938) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher…
Hiroshi Gondoh (権藤 博, Gondō Hiroshi; born December 2, 1938) is a Japanese former Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher and manager. He played his entire career with the Chunichi Dragons. In his rookie season, he collected numerous accolades, including the Central League Rookie of the Year Award and the Eiji Sawamura Award. In 1998, Gondoh became the manager of the Yokohama BayStars and led them to a Japan Series title in his first year. He was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019.
Oginohana Masaaki (born Masaaki Motomura, 29 November 1935 – 16 December 2006) was a sumo wrestler from Ogi, Saga…
Oginohana Masaaki (born Masaaki Motomura, 29 November 1935 – 16 December 2006) was a sumo wrestler from Ogi, Saga, Japan. He made his professional debut in 1952 and reached the top makuuchi division in 1957. His highest rank was sekiwake. He retired in 1967 and worked as a coach at Dewanoumi stable before leaving the Sumo Association in 2000 upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65. He was the father of Oginohana Akikazu and Oginishiki Yasutoshi, both successful sumo wrestlers themselves.
Sakaida Kakiemon XIV (Japanese: 14代酒井田柿右衛門), or Sakaida Masashi (26 August 1934 – 15 June 2013) was a Japanese potter…
Sakaida Kakiemon XIV (Japanese: 14代酒井田柿右衛門), or Sakaida Masashi (26 August 1934 – 15 June 2013) was a Japanese potter, ceramicist and former Living National Treasure in Japan. He was a member of the 14th generation of the Kakiemon Family, which dates back to the beginning of the Edo period with Sakaida Kakiemon. He continued the tradition of Kakiemon enameled ceramics, succeeding the name Kakiemon after the death of his father Sakaida Kakiemon XIII from cancer in 1982. In 2010, Kakiemon was interviewed as an expert for the seventy-ninth episode of A History of the World in 100 Objects, a joint project of BBC Radio 4 and the British Museum, concerning the Kakiemon elephants held by the museum. Kakiemon died on June 15, 2013, at the age of 78.
Keiji Ogushi (大串 啓二, Ōgushi Keiji; 3 April 1934 – 17 March 2020) was a Japanese hurdler who competed in the 1956 Summer…
Keiji Ogushi (大串 啓二, Ōgushi Keiji; 3 April 1934 – 17 March 2020) was a Japanese hurdler who competed in the 1956 Summer Olympics, in the 1960 Summer Olympics, and in the 1964 Summer Olympics. He died on 17 March 2020 from pneumonia.
Makoto Satō (佐藤允, Satō Makoto; 18 March 1934 – 6 December 2012) was a Japanese film actor. He appeared in more than one…
Makoto Satō (佐藤允, Satō Makoto; 18 March 1934 – 6 December 2012) was a Japanese film actor. He appeared in more than one hundred films from 1953 to 2008.
Toshitami Kaihara (24 August 1933 – 13 November 2014) became a Vice Governor in 1970 and Governor of Hyōgo Prefecture…
Toshitami Kaihara (24 August 1933 – 13 November 2014) became a Vice Governor in 1970 and Governor of Hyōgo Prefecture in 1986, a position he held for four terms over 15 years. Prior to that he was an official at the Ministry of Home Affairs. He held a place in the government for over two decades. He took an active role in the Hyogo earthquake aftermath, presiding over the Hyogo Earthquake Memorial 21st Century Research Institute. He was also Director General of the Environment Award.
Sunao Hari (針 すなお, Hari Sunao), real name Sunao Takagawa (高閑者 順, Takagawa Sunao), is a Japanese manga artist and…
Sunao Hari (針 すなお, Hari Sunao), real name Sunao Takagawa (高閑者 順, Takagawa Sunao), is a Japanese manga artist and illustrator, martial artist born 15 March 1933 in Saga, Saga Prefecture, Japan. He graduated from Saga Prefectural Saga High School (now Saga Prefectural Saga West High School). Hari is the fifth son of the chief priest at Kōdenji, a family temple in the former Saga Domain. He worked at a cotton spinning company and as a bank employee before moving to Tokyo in 1953 to work as a writer for a financial journal. Hari made his professional manga debut in 1956. He holds a level of 8th dan in aikido, and he studied an offshoot of Shintō Musō-ryū staff fighting called "Tai no Jō" (体の杖). He currently operates in Saga City a dojo devoted to the study of aikido and jōjutsu (staff fighting). Hari creates the politician caricatures for the Sankei Shimbun, as well as a weekly one panel manga for the Weekly Manga Times. He won the 1973 Japan Cartoonists Association Award for Excellence for his work Hari Sunao Nigaoe Mangashū: Sokkuri (針すなお似顔絵漫画集・そっくり). He also won the Bungeishunjū Manga Award in 1998 for his political caricatures.
Yoshitaka Uchikawa (内川 義高, Uchikawa Yoshitaka; born 4 April 1931) is a Japanese long-distance runner. He competed in…
Yoshitaka Uchikawa (内川 義高, Uchikawa Yoshitaka; born 4 April 1931) is a Japanese long-distance runner. He competed in the marathon at the 1952 Summer Olympics.
Masaji Tajima (田島 政次, Tajima Masaji; born 5 April 1929) is a Japanese former long jumper who competed in the 1952…
Masaji Tajima (田島 政次, Tajima Masaji; born 5 April 1929) is a Japanese former long jumper who competed in the 1952 Summer Olympics and in the 1956 Summer Olympics. His original name was 田島 政次. He is 5 feet and 7 inches (171 cm) tall. He weighs 128 lbs (58 kg).
Masahiro Mori (森 正洋, Mori Masahiro; November 14, 1927 – November 12, 2005) was a Japanese ceramic designer born in Saga…
Masahiro Mori (森 正洋, Mori Masahiro; November 14, 1927 – November 12, 2005) was a Japanese ceramic designer born in Saga Prefecture, Japan. The well known "G-type Soy Sauce Bottle" he designed in 1958 won the 1st Good Design Award in 1960 and its production and sales have continued until today (as of December 11, 2011). He won the Good Design Award more than 110 times in his life. In describing his design philosophy, he stated, "My pleasure as a designer is to conceive of forms for daily use, and to create pieces for production in the factory, so that many people can appreciate and enjoy using them". He worked to design ceramic dishes suitable for the Japanese lifestyle in post-World War II.
Yoshihide Ueda (born 6 December 1926) is a Japanese sport shooter who competed in the 1956 Summer Olympics.
Isamu Imoto (井本 勇, Imoto Isamu; 17 September 1925 – 23 April 2018) was a Japanese politician who served as Governor of…
Isamu Imoto (井本 勇, Imoto Isamu; 17 September 1925 – 23 April 2018) was a Japanese politician who served as Governor of Saga Prefecture from 1991 to 2003.
Machiko Hasegawa (長谷川町子, Hasegawa Machiko; January 30, 1920 – May 27, 1992) was a Japanese manga artist and one of the…
Machiko Hasegawa (長谷川町子, Hasegawa Machiko; January 30, 1920 – May 27, 1992) was a Japanese manga artist and one of the first female manga artists. She started her own comic strip, Sazae-san, in 1946. It reached national circulation via the Asahi Shimbun in 1949, and ran daily until Hasegawa decided to retire in February 1974. All of her comics were printed in Japan in digest comics; by the mid-1990s, Hasegawa's estate had sold over 60 million copies in Japan alone.
Masato Ide ( 井 手 雅人, い で ま さ と, Ide Masato?), born on January 1, 1920, in Saga, Japan and died on July 17, 1989, was a…
Masato Ide ( 井 手 雅人, い で ま さ と, Ide Masato?), born on January 1, 1920, in Saga, Japan and died on July 17, 1989, was a Japanese screenwriter and novelist.
Tokuo Yamashita (山下 徳夫, Yamashita Tokuo; 7 October 1919 – 1 January 2014) was a Japanese politician.
Saganohana Katsumi (5 December 1917 – 28 March 1975) was a professional sumo wrestler born as Katsumi Kitamura in Saga…
Saganohana Katsumi (5 December 1917 – 28 March 1975) was a professional sumo wrestler born as Katsumi Kitamura in Saga City, Japan. His highest rank was ōzeki.
Saburō Sakai (坂井 三郎, Sakai Saburō; 25 August 1916 – 22 September 2000) was a Japanese naval aviator and flying ace…
Saburō Sakai (坂井 三郎, Sakai Saburō; 25 August 1916 – 22 September 2000) was a Japanese naval aviator and flying ace ("Gekitsui-O", 撃墜王) of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. Sakai had 28 aerial victories, including shared ones, according to official Japanese records, though he and his ghostwriter Martin Caidin claimed much higher numbers.
Hideki Shingō (新郷 英城, Shingō Hideki; 10 October 1911 – 27 November 1982) was a fighter pilot officer in the Imperial…
Hideki Shingō (新郷 英城, Shingō Hideki; 10 October 1911 – 27 November 1982) was a fighter pilot officer in the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) during World War II. He participated in various battles and campaigns throughout the Pacific War and survived the war.
Admiral Ryuichi Itaya (板谷 隆一, 20 August 1911 – 1 September 1991) was a Japanese naval officer who served in the…
Admiral Ryuichi Itaya (板谷 隆一, 20 August 1911 – 1 September 1991) was a Japanese naval officer who served in the Imperial Japanese Navy during the Second World War. After a brief stint in the post-war Japanese Coast Guard and Safety Security Force he joined the newly formed Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) in 1954. During his service in the JMSDF Itaya held a variety of command and staff positions including serving as the seventh Maritime Chief of Staff from 1966 till his appointment as the fifth Chairman of the Joint Staff Council of the Japan Self-Defense Force, a position he held from 1969 till his retirement in 1971.
Issac Koga (古賀 逸策, Koga Issaku; December 5, 1899 – September 2, 1982) was a Japanese inventor and scientist.
Aikawa Katsuroku (Japanese: 相川 勝六) (1891–1973) was a Japanese Home Ministry government official and politician. He was…
Aikawa Katsuroku (Japanese: 相川 勝六) (1891–1973) was a Japanese Home Ministry government official and politician. He was born in Saga Prefecture. He graduated from the University of Tokyo. He was Governor of Miyazaki Prefecture (1937–1939), Hiroshima (1939–1941), Aichi Prefecture (1941–1942) and Ehime Prefecture (1943–1944). He was minister of health and welfare in the Government of Japan (1945).
Admiral Rinosuke Ichimaru (市丸利之助, Ichimaru Rinosuke; September 20, 1891 – March 26, 1945), also known as Toshinosuke…
Admiral Rinosuke Ichimaru (市丸利之助, Ichimaru Rinosuke; September 20, 1891 – March 26, 1945), also known as Toshinosuke Ichimaru, was a Japanese officer and aviator in the Imperial Japanese Navy during the Second World War. He was an early pioneer, then a fighter pilot, with the Dai-Nippon Teikoku Kaigun Kōkū Hombu, the aeronautical service of the Japanese Imperial Navy. During the Second World War, he commanded numerous air units, and participated in the Guadalcanal Campaign. In August 1944 he assumed command of the Imperial Naval forces present on the island of Iwo Jima, and died in combat against the US Marines on March 26, 1945.
Tōgo Murano (村野 藤吾, Murano Tōgo; May 15, 1891 – November 26, 1984) was a Japanese architect. Although his formative…
Tōgo Murano (村野 藤吾, Murano Tōgo; May 15, 1891 – November 26, 1984) was a Japanese architect. Although his formative years were between 1910 and 1930, he remained active in design throughout his life and at the time of his death was responsible for over three hundred completed projects. Although his work lacked a distinctive singular style, he was recognised as a master of the modern interpretation of the sukiya style. His work included large public buildings as well as hotels and department stores and he has been recognised as one of Japan's modern masters.
Yuitsu Tsuchihashi (土橋 勇逸, Tsuchihashi Yūitsu; 1 January 1891 – 31 May 1972) was a lieutenant general in the Imperial…
Yuitsu Tsuchihashi (土橋 勇逸, Tsuchihashi Yūitsu; 1 January 1891 – 31 May 1972) was a lieutenant general in the Imperial Japanese Army in World War II.
Hidemitsu Nakano (中野英光, Nakano Hidemitsu; April 18, 1890 – March 19, 1982) was a general in the Imperial Japanese Army…
Hidemitsu Nakano (中野英光, Nakano Hidemitsu; April 18, 1890 – March 19, 1982) was a general in the Imperial Japanese Army, commanding Japanese ground forces in the Southwest Pacific during the closing months of the war.
Kiyoshi Katsuki (香月 清司, Katsuki Kiyoshi; 6 October 1881 – 29 January 1950) was a general in the Imperial Japanese Army…
Kiyoshi Katsuki (香月 清司, Katsuki Kiyoshi; 6 October 1881 – 29 January 1950) was a general in the Imperial Japanese Army in the Second Sino-Japanese War.
Kanichirō Tashiro (田代 皖一郎, Tashiro Kan'ichirō; 1 October 1881 – 16 July 1937) was a lieutenant general in the Imperial…
Kanichirō Tashiro (田代 皖一郎, Tashiro Kan'ichirō; 1 October 1881 – 16 July 1937) was a lieutenant general in the Imperial Japanese Army at the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War.
Wasaburo Oishi (大石 和三郎, Ōishi Wasaburō; 15 March 1874 – 18 December 1950) was a Japanese meteorologist. Born in Tosu…
Wasaburo Oishi (大石 和三郎, Ōishi Wasaburō; 15 March 1874 – 18 December 1950) was a Japanese meteorologist. Born in Tosu, Saga, he is best known for his discovery of the high-altitude air currents now known as the jet stream. He was also an important Esperantist, serving as the second board president of the Japanese Esperanto Institute from 1930 to 1945.
Nishikubo Toyoichirō (Japanese: 西久保 豊一郎; 1870–1905) was a Japanese Army officer.
Kijirō Nambu (南部 麒次郎, Nanbu Kijirō; September 22, 1869 – May 1, 1949) was a Japanese firearms designer and career…
Kijirō Nambu (南部 麒次郎, Nanbu Kijirō; September 22, 1869 – May 1, 1949) was a Japanese firearms designer and career officer in the Imperial Japanese Army. He founded the Nambu Arms Manufacturing Company, a major manufacturer of Japanese military firearms during the period. He was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure (2nd class) in 1914. Because of his prolific firearms designs, Nambu has been described as the "John Browning of Japan."
Okada Saburōsuke (岡田 三郎助; Japanese pronunciation: [o.ka.da (|) sa.bɯ.ɾoꜜː.sɯ̥.ke], 12 January 1869, Saga – 23 September…
Okada Saburōsuke (岡田 三郎助; Japanese pronunciation: [o.ka.da (|) sa.bɯ.ɾoꜜː.sɯ̥.ke], 12 January 1869, Saga – 23 September 1939, Tokyo) was a Japanese painter in the Yōga style and a professor at the "Tōkyō Bijutsu Gakkō" (School of Fine Arts); precursor of the Tokyo University of the Arts.
Matsumura Tatsuo (松村 龍雄; February 25, 1868 – July 18, 1932) was a Japanese admiral who was Commander of the Interim…
Matsumura Tatsuo (松村 龍雄; February 25, 1868 – July 18, 1932) was a Japanese admiral who was Commander of the Interim Southern Islands Defense Unit from 1914 to 1915.
Taichiro Morinaga (森永 太一郎, 1865–1937) was a Japanese entrepreneur and philanthropist. In 1899, he founded what would…
Taichiro Morinaga (森永 太一郎, 1865–1937) was a Japanese entrepreneur and philanthropist. In 1899, he founded what would become Morinaga & Co, the first modern candy company in Japan, and the first to mass-produce chocolates in the country. Now known for the popular fruit candy Hi-Chew, one of Morinaga & Co's first products was marshmallow.
Murakami Kakuichi (村上 格一, Kakuichi Murakami; 21 December 1862 – 15 November 1927) was an admiral in the Imperial…
Murakami Kakuichi (村上 格一, Kakuichi Murakami; 21 December 1862 – 15 November 1927) was an admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy, and served as Navy Minister in the early 1920s.
Taketomi Tokitoshi (武富時敏; 16 January 1856 – 22 December 1938) was a Japanese politician and cabinet minister in the…
Taketomi Tokitoshi (武富時敏; 16 January 1856 – 22 December 1938) was a Japanese politician and cabinet minister in the Meiji and Taishō periods of Japan.
Tatsuno Kingo (辰野 金吾; October 13, 1854 – 25 March 1919) was a Japanese architect born in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture…
Tatsuno Kingo (辰野 金吾; October 13, 1854 – 25 March 1919) was a Japanese architect born in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture, Kyushu. He was a Doctor of Engineering; conferred as Jusanmi (従三位, Junior Third Rank) and Kunsanto (勲三等, Order of Third Class); and served as dean of Architecture Department at Tokyo Imperial University. Tatsuno is most widely known for his work as the designer of the Bank of Japan building (1896) and the Marunouchi building of Tokyo Station (1914).
Hatano Norinao (Japanese: 波多野敬直) (13 November 1850 – 29 August 1922) was a Japanese Minister of the Imperial Household…
Hatano Norinao (Japanese: 波多野敬直) (13 November 1850 – 29 August 1922) was a Japanese Minister of the Imperial Household during Taishō era. He was born in Saga Prefecture. He was recipient of the Order of the Sacred Treasure (3rd class, 1899; 1st class, 1906), the Order of the Rising Sun (1 December 1915) and the Victory Medal for World War I (10 November 1915).
Nakahara Nantenbō (中原 南天棒; April 3, 1839 – February 12, 1925), also known as Tōjū Zenchū, Tōshū Zenchū 鄧州全忠, and as…
Nakahara Nantenbō (中原 南天棒; April 3, 1839 – February 12, 1925), also known as Tōjū Zenchū, Tōshū Zenchū 鄧州全忠, and as Nantenbō Tōjū, was a Japanese Zen Master. In his time known as a fiery reformer, he was also a prolific and accomplished artist. He produced many fine examples of Zen Art and helped bridge the gap between older forms of Zen Buddhist art and its continuation in the 20th century.
Marquess Ōkuma Shigenobu (Japanese: 大隈 重信; 11 March 1838 – 10 January 1922) was a Japanese statesman who was a leading…
Marquess Ōkuma Shigenobu (Japanese: 大隈 重信; 11 March 1838 – 10 January 1922) was a Japanese statesman who was a leading figure in the Meiji and Taishō eras of Japan, serving as Prime Minister in 1898, and from 1914 to 1916. A key advocate for the adoption of Western science and culture in Japan, Ōkuma was a central figure in the country's modernization. He founded the political party Rikken Kaishintō and was an early proponent of parliamentary democracy. He is also the founder of Waseda University. Born in Hizen Province (modern-day Saga Prefecture), Ōkuma was an early advocate for the abolition of the feudal system and the establishment of a constitutional government. As an "outsider" from Saga, he was a rare exception in the Satsuma-Chōshū clique that dominated the Meiji government. He joined the government in 1868 and rose to become Minister of Finance, a position in which he unified the nation's currency, created a national budget, and established the national mint. Following a political crisis in 1881, he was ousted from the government by his rivals. In opposition, he founded the Rikken Kaishintō and became one of the most prominent public figures championing a British-style parliamentary system. Ōkuma returned to government as Foreign Minister in 1888 to work on treaty revision, but resigned after an assassination attempt by a nationalist in 1889 cost him his right leg. He later organized Japan's first party cabinet in 1898, serving as prime minister, though it collapsed after only four months. He returned to the premiership in 1914, leading Japan into World War I on the side of the Allies and formulating the Twenty-One Demands on China in 1915. Throughout his career, Ōkuma's populist and pro-modernization political style, his strong nationalism, and his unwavering advocacy for parliamentary rule made him one of the most influential statesmen of his generation. His national funeral in 1922 drew an unprecedented number of citizens.