Japanese musicians died at 50
Here are 10 famous musicians from Japan died at 50:
Takashi Matsumoto
Takashi Matsumoto (January 5, 1906 Tokyo-May 11, 1956) was a Japanese writer and novelist.
He is considered one of the pioneers of the Japanese detective fiction genre, and is best known for his short story "The Black Hand Gang," a tale of a group of amateur detectives solving a serial murder case. Matsumoto's works often focused on the lives of ordinary people and explored themes such as social injustice and the impact of World War II on Japanese society. He received numerous literary awards during his career, including the Naoki Prize and the Mainichi Art Award, and his works have been adapted into films and television dramas. Matsumoto also worked as a critic and translator, introducing Japanese readers to the works of authors such as Dostoevsky and Kafka.
Read more about Takashi Matsumoto on Wikipedia »
Okakura Kakuzō
Okakura Kakuzō (February 14, 1863 Yokohama-September 2, 1913) also known as Kakuzō Okakura, Kakuzō Okakura or Okakura Kakuzo was a Japanese writer.
He is most remembered for his influential book "The Book of Tea" which introduced Western audiences to the significance and philosophy of the Japanese tea ceremony. Okakura was also an important figure in the art world, serving as an advisor to the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and helping to establish the Tokyo Fine Arts School. He studied art and aesthetics in Tokyo and later traveled to the United States where he worked as a curator at the Japanese Pavilion at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. In addition to "The Book of Tea," he wrote several books on Japanese art and culture, and his legacy still influences the perception of Japanese culture around the world today.
Read more about Okakura Kakuzō on Wikipedia »
Tamio Kageyama
Tamio Kageyama (March 20, 1947 Kanda, Tokyo-January 26, 1998 Japan) was a Japanese novelist.
He is particularly known for his works that explore themes of displacement and cultural identity. Kageyama was born to a family of wealth and influence, but he became disenchanted with the expectations placed upon him by traditional Japanese society. He studied philosophy at the University of Tokyo, but dropped out before completing his degree to pursue a career as a writer.
Kageyama's early works were influenced by the post-modern literary movement and often dealt with themes of alienation and nihilism. However, as his career progressed, he began to turn his focus to issues of cultural identity and the experiences of individuals caught between Japanese and Western cultures. His most famous work, "The Shore Beyond", published in 1988, was hailed as a seminal work in Japanese literature and won several prestigious awards.
Throughout his career, Kageyama was known for his uncompromising writing style and his willingness to confront difficult topics head-on. He was also an outspoken supporter of social justice causes and was known to use his platform as a writer to advocate for marginalized communities. He died in 1998 at the age of 50 from complications related to a long-standing heart condition. Despite his relatively short career, Kageyama is widely regarded as one of the most important literary figures in modern Japanese history.
Read more about Tamio Kageyama on Wikipedia »
Yasuhito, Prince Chichibu
Yasuhito, Prince Chichibu (June 25, 1902 Tokyo-January 24, 1953 Fujisawa) was a Japanese personality.
Prince Chichibu was the second son of Emperor Taishō and Empress Teimei, and the younger brother of Emperor Hirohito. He was an accomplished athlete and sports enthusiast who helped to popularize baseball in Japan. He also served as an officer in the Imperial Japanese Army and later became an important cultural figure promoting traditional Japanese crafts and the performing arts. Despite being a member of the Imperial family, he developed a reputation as a critic of the militaristic government of the time and was known for his liberal views. He was married to Princess Setsuko, with whom he had no children.
He died as a result of tuberculosis.
Read more about Yasuhito, Prince Chichibu on Wikipedia »
Shigezō Sasaoka
Shigezō Sasaoka (May 5, 1948 Fukushima Prefecture-August 31, 1998) also known as Shigezo Sasaoka, Sadao Sasaoka, Sasaoka Sadao, Sasaoka Shigezō, 笹岡 定雄, 笹岡 繁蔵 or Shigezô Sasaoka was a Japanese voice actor.
He began his career in the early 1970s and was known for his distinctive voice and talent in performing a wide range of character types. Sasaoka provided voice work for numerous anime shows, such as Captain Harlock, Gatchaman, and Fist of the North Star. He also lent his voice to video games, dubbing popular titles for the Nintendo Entertainment System and Super Nintendo. In addition to his voice acting work, Sasaoka was also a skilled narrator, providing commentary for documentaries and TV programs. He passed away in 1998 at the age of 50 due to an aortic dissection. Despite his untimely death, his contributions to the anime and voice acting industry continue to be celebrated by fans and professionals alike.
Read more about Shigezō Sasaoka on Wikipedia »
Ikki Kajiwara
Ikki Kajiwara (September 4, 1936 Kitakyushu-January 21, 1987) also known as Asaki Takamori, Asao Takamori, Ato Masaki, Kajiwara Ikki, 梶原 一騎, 高森 朝樹, Takamori Asaki, 高森 朝雄 or Takamori Asao was a Japanese writer, mangaka, screenwriter and film producer. His child is called Pai Hsiao-yen.
Ikki Kajiwara gained fame in Japan for his works in the shonen (boys') manga genre, including the boxing manga "Ashita no Joe" which was later adapted into an anime series and live-action films. He also wrote numerous screenplays for films and television shows. Kajiwara was known for his gritty and realistic depictions of characters, often exploring themes of social inequality, violence, and youth rebellion. He struggled with his own health issues throughout his life, and passed away from liver disease at the age of 50. Despite his relatively short career, Kajiwara's works continue to be highly regarded and influential in Japanese popular culture.
Read more about Ikki Kajiwara on Wikipedia »
Isamu Chō
Isamu Chō (January 19, 1895 Fukuoka Prefecture-June 22, 1945 Okinawa Prefecture) was a Japanese personality.
Isamu Chō was a prominent Japanese journalist, media personality, and a political activist who was known for his criticism of the Japanese government and military during World War II. He was a vocal opponent of Japan's war efforts and was one of the few Japanese journalists who were critical of the Imperial Japanese Army's atrocities committed during the war.
Chō was a prolific writer and a commentator on political affairs. He worked for several Japanese newspapers and was the editor of the popular daily newspaper "Asahi Shimbun" for a period of time. He advocated for freedom of the press and was a strong believer in democracy.
The Japanese government saw Chō as a threat to their propaganda efforts, and he was arrested several times for his criticisms of the government. In 1943, he was arrested by the Kempeitai, Japan's military police, and was sentenced to death. He was later released due to illness, but was confined to his home until the end of the war.
Chō committed suicide on June 22, 1945, just weeks before the end of the war. He is remembered as a symbol of the struggle for freedom of the press and democracy in Japan.
He died in suicide.
Read more about Isamu Chō on Wikipedia »
Kawakami Soroku
Kawakami Soroku (November 11, 1848 Kagoshima-May 11, 1899 Tokyo) also known as Baron Kawakami Soroku was a Japanese personality.
He was a businessman, politician, and statesman who played a significant role in Japan's modernization during the Meiji period. As a young man, Kawakami Soroku studied in Europe and became a fervent advocate for the adoption of Western industrial methods and technology in Japan.
He later returned to Japan and worked in the government, serving as the Minister of Communications, the Minister of Agriculture and Commerce, and finally as the Minister of Finance. During his time in office, Kawakami implemented various reforms that modernized Japan's economy, such as introducing a national currency and a banking system modeled after the West.
In addition to his political career, Kawakami was also a successful businessman, founding the Japan Cotton Trading Company and the Japan Spinners' Association, among others. He was awarded the title of Baron in 1895 in recognition of his contributions to Japan's economic development.
Despite his short life, Kawakami Soroku's legacy continues to influence Japan's economy and politics today.
Read more about Kawakami Soroku on Wikipedia »
Ume Kenjirō
Ume Kenjirō (June 24, 1860 Matsue-August 26, 1910 Seoul) was a Japanese politician and lawyer.
Ume Kenjirō was a prominent figure during the Meiji period in Japan, where he served as a member of the House of Representatives and also as a Cabinet minister in several different capacities. He was instrumental in promoting constitutional reform and introducing legislation aimed at modernizing various aspects of Japanese society, including the legal system.
In addition to his political career, Ume was also a highly respected legal scholar and practitioner. He studied law at Tokyo Imperial University and went on to establish his own law firm, which quickly gained a reputation for its high-quality legal services.
Throughout his life, Ume remained committed to the principles of democracy and individual rights, and his legacy continues to be felt in Japan today.
He died caused by typhoid fever.
Read more about Ume Kenjirō on Wikipedia »
Matsunosuke Onoe
Matsunosuke Onoe (September 12, 1875 Naka-ku, Okayama-September 11, 1926 Kyoto) also known as Tsunusaburo Onoe, Yukio Koki, Tamijaku Onoe, Medama no Matchan, Tsuruzo Nakamura, Tsurusaburo Onoe or "Eyeballs" Matsu was a Japanese actor.
He was one of the pioneering figures of Japanese cinema, appearing in over 1,000 films during his career. Onoe was renowned for his versatility and skill as an actor, portraying a wide range of characters including samurais, villains, and comedic figures. He was particularly known for his portrayal of the character Otokichi, a young sailor who became stranded in the United States in the 19th century, which he played in a series of films. Onoe was also a skilled director and producer, and he established his own production company called Matsunosuke Onoe Productions. Despite his tremendous success in the film industry, Onoe maintained a relatively low-profile personal life and little is known about his personal relationships or interests outside of his work. He passed away on September 11, 1926, the day before his 51st birthday, leaving behind a lasting legacy as one of the most influential figures in Japanese cinema history.
Read more about Matsunosuke Onoe on Wikipedia »