Here are 11 famous musicians from Japan were born in 1935:
Isao Takahata (October 29, 1935 Ise-) otherwise known as Takahata, Isao, Paku-san, Tetsu Takemoto or Takahata Isao is a Japanese film director, animation director, film producer, screenwriter and translator.
He was one of the co-founders of the famed Japanese animation company, Studio Ghibli, alongside his longtime collaborator and friend, Hayao Miyazaki. Takahata is known for his contributions to classic animated films such as "Grave of the Fireflies," "Only Yesterday," and "The Tale of the Princess Kaguya."
In his early career, Takahata worked for Toei Animation, where he directed numerous popular animated TV shows and feature films. He later left Toei Animation and co-founded his own animation studio, which eventually evolved into Studio Ghibli.
Throughout his career, Takahata has received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to the world of animation, including the prestigious Order of the Rising Sun from the Japanese government in 2015. While he passed away in 2018, his legacy and impact on the animation industry continue to be felt by fans and animators alike all around the world.
Takahata was born in Ujiyamada city, which is now called Ise, in Mie Prefecture, Japan. He graduated from the University of Tokyo in 1959 with a degree in French literature. After completing his degree, he began working for Toei Animation, one of Japan's leading animation studios at the time. It was at Toei that he first met Miyazaki, with whom he would go on to form a lifelong partnership.
Takahata's work often explored serious themes, such as war, death, and societal pressures. His film "Grave of the Fireflies," which depicts the struggles of two siblings during the Kobe bombing of World War II, is considered a masterpiece of animation and a powerful anti-war statement. Takahata also directed "Only Yesterday," a film about a woman reflecting on her childhood, and "The Tale of the Princess Kaguya," a retelling of a traditional Japanese folk tale.
Despite his success and critical acclaim, Takahata remained somewhat of a reclusive figure, preferring to let his work speak for itself. However, those who worked with him remember him as a passionate and dedicated filmmaker who pushed the boundaries of what animation could achieve. His influence on the animation industry is still felt today, as many contemporary animators cite him as a major inspiration.
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Yukiji Asaoka (July 23, 1935 Tsukiji-) also known as Asaoka Yukiji, Kato Yukie, Shinsui Michiyuki, Yukie Kato, Yukie Katsuta or Katsuta Yukie is a Japanese singer, actor, dancer and voice actor. Her child is called Mayuko.
Her discography includes: , , , and .
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Hisako Kyōda (February 22, 1935 Tokyo Prefecture-) also known as Hisako Kyoda, Naoko Kyoda, Hisako Kyouda, Naoko Kyôda, Kyōda Hisako, Naoko Kyooda or Hisako Kyôda is a Japanese voice actor and actor.
She began her career in the 1950s as a stage actress before transitioning to voice acting in the 1960s. Some of her most notable roles include playing the character of Setsuko Kuroi in "Honey and Clover," Nausicaa in "Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind," and Sophie's mother in "Howl's Moving Castle." Kyoda has also worked on numerous Japanese dubs of foreign films, including the voice of Mrs. Potts in the Japanese version of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast." In addition to her work in voice acting, Kyoda has also appeared in live-action films and television dramas in Japan.
Kyoda has received widespread acclaim for her voice acting work, often cited for her ability to bring depth and emotion to her characters. She has won several awards over the course of her career, including a Tokyo Anime Award for Best Voice Actress in 2015. Kyoda is also known for her work as a narrator, having lent her voice to a variety of documentaries and educational programs. In recognition of her contributions to Japanese entertainment, she was awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon by the Japanese government in 2014. Despite being in her mid-80s, Kyoda continues to work in the entertainment industry and is considered to be one of the most respected voice actors in Japan.
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Hiroshi Wakasugi (May 31, 1935 New York City-July 21, 2009) was a Japanese conductor and teacher.
His albums include Symphonies: In E major / In C major, A Flock Descends Into the Pentagonal Garden and Coral Island / Water Music / Vocalism Ai.
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Teiji Ito (January 22, 1935 Tokyo-August 16, 1982 Haiti) a.k.a. 伊藤貞司 or Itō Teiji was a Japanese film score composer, composer and performer. He had one child, Tavia Ito.
His albums include King Ubu, Tenno, Watermill, Meshes: Music for Films and Theater and The Shamanic Principles. Genres he performed: Ballet.
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Seiji Yokoyama (March 17, 1935 Hiroshima-) a.k.a. Yokoyama Seiji or 横山 菁児 is a Japanese film score composer.
His most recognized albums: , Saint Seiya Original Soundtrack VI, Saint Seiya Original Soundtrack VII, 交響組曲 宇宙海賊キャプテンハーロック, Saint Seiya - Eternal Files 05 & 06, Saint Seiya Original Soundtrack V, Saint Seiya - 1990 - Original Soundtrack King Of The Underworld, 聖闘士星矢 音楽集Ⅱ, 聖闘士星矢 音楽集Ⅳ ~神々の熱き戦い~ and Saint Seiya - Hit CD II - Under Any Kind of Star.
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Keiko Hanagata (June 2, 1935 Tokyo-) also known as 花形 恵子 or Hanagata Keiko is a Japanese actor and voice actor.
She started her career in the 1950s as a stage actress, and then transitioned to television and film in the 1960s. She has played a variety of roles in both live-action and animated productions, including the voice of Anpanman in the popular children's series "Soreike! Anpanman." Hanagata is also known for her work in dubbing foreign films and TV shows, lending her voice to characters such as Jeanne Moreau in "Jules et Jim" and Mrs. Garrett in "The Facts of Life." In addition to her acting career, Hanagata has also taught acting at universities in Japan and published several books on the craft.
She is considered one of the most prolific and versatile voice actresses in Japan, having provided the voices for numerous anime and video game characters. Some of her notable roles include Luna in "Sailor Moon," Mayumi in "Mobile Suit Gundam," and Omasa in "Inuyasha." Hanagata has been recognized several times for her contributions to the entertainment industry, including receiving the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 2014 for her achievements in acting and cultural education. She continues to work in the industry today, with her most recent role in the anime film "Omoi, Omoware, Furi, Furare" released in 2020.
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Shūsei Nakamura (March 9, 1935 Tokyo Prefecture-March 1, 2015) also known as Shuusei Nakamura, Hideo Nakamura, Shunsuke Hongô, Nakamura Hideo or Shûsei Nakamura was a Japanese voice actor and actor.
He began his career as an actor in the 1950s and later transitioned to voice acting in the 1970s. Nakamura was known for his deep and distinctive voice and played many memorable characters in anime, including Dr. Gara in "Space Battleship Yamato" and Captain Hook in "Peter Pan and the Pirates." He was also a prolific voice actor in Japanese dubbing for foreign films, such as dubbing Sean Connery's James Bond films and the villainous character of Mr. Potter in the Japanese dub of "It's a Wonderful Life." Nakamura passed away in 2015 at the age of 79.
In addition to his prolific voice acting career, Shūsei Nakamura was also known for his work in live-action films and television dramas. He appeared in numerous films throughout the 1950s and 60s, including Akira Kurosawa's "The Lower Depths" (1957) and "Yojimbo" (1961). Nakamura also had a successful career in television, appearing in the popular historical dramas "Ooka Echizen" and "Hissatsu Shigotonin". He was awarded the Best Supporting Actor Award at the 9th Japan Academy Film Prize for his role in the film "The Family Game" (1983). Outside of his acting career, Nakamura was an accomplished calligrapher and held exhibitions of his work throughout Japan.
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Seiji Ozawa (September 1, 1935 Shenyang-) is a Japanese conductor, music director and actor. He has two children, Yukiyoshi Ozawa and Seira Ozawa.
His albums: Symphony No. 1 in D Boston Symphony Orchestra - Ozawa, New Year's Concert 2002, Symphony no. 2, Violin Concertos, Bartok: Concerto for Orchestra / Janacek: Sinfonietta, Symphony No. 2 "Resurrection", Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 / Rachmaninoff: Solo Piano Works, The Nutcracker / Sleeping Beauty, Lalo: Symphonie Espagnole / Sarasate: Zigeunerweisen and Prokofiev: Piano concerto no. 2 / Ravel: Piano concerto in G major.
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Akihiro Miwa (May 15, 1935 Nagasaki-) otherwise known as Akihiro Maruyama, Akihiko Maruyama, Maruyama Akihiro or Miwa Akihiro is a Japanese drag queen, actor, singer, author, theatre director, composer, voice actor, singer-songwriter and tarento.
His albums include .
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Satomi Oka (September 15, 1935 Hyōgo Prefecture-) is a Japanese actor and secretary.
She started her acting career in the 1950s and has since appeared in numerous Japanese films, TV dramas and theater productions. Some of her notable works include the films "Tange Sazen", "Samurai Assassin" and "Kokushi no Hokai", as well as the TV dramas "Tokugawa Ieyasu" and "Ooku".
Besides her acting career, Satomi Oka has also served as a secretary for several well-known Japanese artists, including the novelist Yasunari Kawabata and the filmmaker Akira Kurosawa. She has been praised for her dedicated work and her ability to support these artists in their creative endeavors.
Throughout her career, Satomi Oka has received several awards for her contributions to the Japanese entertainment industry, including the Kinuyo Tanaka Award and the Medal with Purple Ribbon. She remains an active figure in the industry to this day, and continues to inspire others with her talent and hard work.
In addition to her successful career as an actor, Satomi Oka has also worked as a voice actress. She provided her voice for the character of Yubaba in the Hayao Miyazaki animated film "Spirited Away". Oka's performance was highly acclaimed and earned her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the Mainichi Film Awards.
In the 1990s, Satomi Oka expanded her career to become an author, publishing several books including "Yume no Ao" (Blue Dreams) and "Kazoku to no Kankei" (Relationship with Family). She also became involved in charitable work, dedicating her time and resources to a foundation for children with medical needs.
Despite her many accomplishments, Satomi Oka has remained humble and dedicated to her craft. She once said in an interview, "As an actor, I always strive to deliver the message that the screenwriter and director intend to convey...I believe that's what makes a successful actor."
Satomi Oka's contributions to the Japanese entertainment industry have been invaluable and she remains a beloved figure to this day.
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