Here are 10 famous musicians from Japan died at 59:
Tatsuhiko Shibusawa (May 8, 1928 Tokyo-August 5, 1987 Kamakura) was a Japanese writer and novelist.
Shibusawa was known for his realistic and often autobiographical works that explored themes such as human nature, morality, and social issues. He began his career as a writer during his time at Keio University, where he joined the literary circle and published his first short story.
One of Shibusawa's most notable works is his novel "Haru no Yuki" (Spring Snow), which is the first installment in his tetralogy "The Sea of Fertility". The series is considered to be one of the most important works of modern Japanese literature and explores themes such as the changing of traditional Japanese society during the Meiji period and the challenges faced by Japan in the 20th century.
Shibusawa's other works include "Hanshin" (Third Street), "Hibari no Za" (The Skylark Stage), and "Ame no Naka no Tenshi" (An Angel in the Rain). In addition to writing, he also produced several films and television dramas.
Shibusawa received numerous awards for his work, including the Mainichi Art Award for Literature and the Yomiuri Prize. Today, he is remembered as one of Japan's most important writers of the post-war era.
He died caused by cancer.
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Kuroda Kiyotaka (October 16, 1840 Kagoshima Castle-August 25, 1900 Tokyo) was a Japanese politician.
Kuroda Kiyotaka was a prominent figure during the Meiji period in Japan. He served as the Prime Minister of Japan from 1888 to 1889 and again from 1896 to 1898. He was also instrumental in negotiating the Treaty of Shimonoseki in 1895, which ended the First Sino-Japanese War and helped establish Japan as a major world power.
Kuroda played a critical role in modernizing Japan's infrastructure and economy, promoting western-style education and helping to establish a modern military. He was a member of the Meiji oligarchy, a group of influential politicians and statesmen who worked to transform Japan into a modern, centralized state.
Despite his achievements, Kuroda was not without controversy. He was criticized for his involvement in the government's suppression of the Satsuma Rebellion in 1877, which saw thousands of samurai warriors killed or forced into exile. However, Kuroda remained a respected figure in Japanese politics and was posthumously awarded the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a Japanese citizen.
He died as a result of cerebral hemorrhage.
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Kan Kikuchi (December 26, 1888 Takamatsu-March 6, 1948) also known as Hiroshi Kikuchi was a Japanese writer.
He was born into a family of booksellers and showed an early interest in literature. He published his first novel at the age of 19 and went on to become a prolific writer, producing dozens of novels, essays, and works of criticism during his lifetime. His writing explored a wide range of themes, from social satire and political commentary to more introspective and philosophical musings. He was a leading figure in the Japanese literary scene during the Taishō period and beyond, and his work remains popular and influential to this day. In addition to his writing, Kikuchi was also a committed social activist and played an active role in the anti-war movement leading up to World War II. He died in 1948 at the age of 59.
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Yokoi Shōnan (September 22, 1809 Kumamoto-February 15, 1869) also known as Yokoi Shounan or Yokoi Shonan was a Japanese politician and samurai.
Yokoi Shōnan was a member of the Tosa domain and played a key role in the domain's push towards modernization during the Bakumatsu period. He served as an advisor to Sakamoto Ryōma and was involved in negotiations that led to the creation of the Satsuma-Chōshū Alliance, a crucial alliance in the overthrow of the Tokugawa shogunate.
Yokoi Shōnan was also an accomplished scholar and writer, publishing works such as "Kosan Jitte" and "Yokoi Kōkaiki" that explored a wide range of topics, including history, politics, and ethics.
Despite his contributions to modernization and his intellectual prowess, Yokoi Shōnan's political views and staunch opposition to samurai uprisings put him at odds with some of his peers. This ultimately led to his assassination at the hand of a fellow Tosa samurai in 1869. Today, he is remembered as a complex figure who played a significant role in Japan's modernization and political transformation.
He died caused by assassination.
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Jun Ichikawa (November 25, 1948 Fuchu-September 19, 2008 Tokyo) otherwise known as Juni Ichikawa was a Japanese film director, screenwriter and cinematographer.
Ichikawa made his debut as a filmmaker in 1987 with the release of his first feature film, "Bu Su" which garnered critical acclaim both domestically and across film festival circuits around the world. He went on to direct and write several successful films including "Tony Takitani" (2004) which won a number of awards including the FIPRESCI Prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 2005. Ichikawa's films are known for their emotional depth, visual poetry and ability to capture the complexities of human relationships. He was considered one of Japan's most talented filmmakers and his contributions to the industry continue to be recognized to this day.
He died as a result of cerebral hemorrhage.
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Saigō Jūdō (June 1, 1843 Kagoshima-July 18, 1902 Tokyo) otherwise known as Marquis Saigō Tsugumichi was a Japanese politician and samurai.
He was a prominent figure in the early Meiji Restoration government, serving in high-ranking positions such as Minister of War and Minister of Education. Saigō was also notable for his role in the Satsuma Rebellion, a failed uprising against the Meiji government in 1877. Despite his opposition to government policies, Saigō remained a respected figure in Japan and was awarded with the title of Marquis in recognition of his contributions to the country. He is considered to be one of the most important historical figures of the Meiji period in Japan.
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Gotō Shōjirō (April 13, 1838 Kōchi Prefecture-August 4, 1897 Hakone) was a Japanese politician and samurai.
He was one of the key figures in the Meiji Restoration, which helped to overthrow the feudal shogunate and establish a modern, centralized government. Gotō played a critical role in negotiating the surrender of the Ezo Republic, a breakaway state in northern Japan, as well as in the establishment of Japan's first constitution in 1889. As a member of the Meiji oligarchy, Gotō also helped to promote modernization and industrialization in Japan, and he was instrumental in the founding of several key institutions, including the Bank of Japan and the Imperial Japanese Army Academy. After his death, he was enshrined as a kami (deity) at Yasukuni Shrine, a controversial war shrine in Tokyo that honors Japan's war dead.
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Takanosato Toshihide (September 29, 1952 Namioka-November 7, 2011 Fukuoka) also known as Toshihide Takaya, Naruto, ポパイ, 隆の里 俊英, Toshihide Takanosato, 鳴戸, Takaya Toshihide, Popeye, なると, たかのさと としひで, たかや としひで or 隆ノ里 俊英 was a Japanese sumo wrestler.
Takanosato Toshihide was born in Namioka, Aomori Prefecture, Japan. He began his professional sumo career in 1968 at the age of 15 when he joined the Takasago stable. He found early success in the sport, earning the jonokuchi division championship in his debut tournament.
Over the course of his career, Takanosato was known for his ability to perform well in the lower divisions, winning a total of six lower division championships. He achieved his highest rank of Maegashira 4 in 1984.
After retiring from sumo in 1986, Takanosato became a coach at the Takasago stable. He later served as head coach of the Onoe stable from 1998 until his death in 2011.
Takanosato was known for his friendly personality and was well-liked by many in the sumo community. His death was mourned by fans and colleagues alike.
He died in respiratory failure.
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Prince Arisugawa Taruhito (March 17, 1835 Kyoto-January 15, 1895 Kobe) a.k.a. HIH Prince Arisugawa Taruhito was a Japanese personality.
He was a member of the imperial family and served as a general in the Imperial Japanese Army. He played a large role in the Meiji Restoration, a period of political and social revolution that saw the end of Japan's feudal system and its opening up to the world. Prince Arisugawa Taruhito served as the chief of staff for imperial forces during the Satsuma Rebellion, an 1877 uprising against the Meiji government led by samurai from Japan's southwestern prefecture of Satsuma. After the rebellion was suppressed, he worked to modernize the Japanese military and was given the task of developing Japan's war strategy against China during the First Sino-Japanese War. In addition to his military career, Prince Arisugawa Taruhito was also a patron of the arts and a supporter of the Tokyo National Museum, which he helped to establish.
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Runa Akiyama (April 17, 1954 Tokyo-March 8, 2014) also known as Teruko Akiyama was a Japanese voice actor.
Runa Akiyama was best known for her voice acting in anime series such as "Miracle Giants Dome-kun," "Attacker You!," and "The Kabocha Wine." Her career as a voice actress started in 1975 with the series "Bôken Korobokkuru." She was also a singer and released a few albums in the 1980s. Akiyama's talent and contribution to the anime industry has been remembered and honored by fans and colleagues alike.
She died caused by heart failure.
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