Key Figures in Japanese History and Culture

Himiko

Yamatai queen known for leadership.

Prince Shōtoku

Promoted Buddhism in Japan.

Amaterasu

Sun goddess in Shinto belief.

Oda Nobunaga

Unified Japan, opposed Buddhists.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi

Unified Japan, invaded Korea.

Tokugawa Ieyasu

Founder of the Tokugawa shogunate.

Admiral Perry

Opened Japan to Western trade.

Edward Morse

Pioneer in archaeological excavations.

Murasaki Shikibu

Author of The Tale of Genji.

Sei Shōnagon

Wrote The Pillow Book.

Taira Kiyomori

Prominent figure in late Heian period.

Minamoto Yoritomo

First shogun of Japan.

Priest Saigyō

Noted Waka poet of his time.

Hōjō Masako

Wife of a shogun, influential figure.

Kamo Chōmei

Author of 10-Foot Hut.

Ashikaga Takauji

Founder of the Ashikaga shogunate.

Zeami

Pioneer of Noh theater.

Matsuo Bashō

Master of Haiku poetry.

Chikamatsu Monzaemon

Famous puppet playwright.

Ihara Saikaku

Noted writer from the Edo period.

Kaji of Gion

Famous Kyoto courtesan.

Hiraga Gennai

Innovative polymath of the Edo period.

Motoori Norinaga

Founder of Kokugaku movement.

Hokusai

Artist known for The Great Wave.

Hiroshige

Famous for Ukiyo-e landscapes.

Buson

Renowned Haiku artist.

Kobayashi Issa

Known for simple Haiku.

Kanagaki Robun

Writer from the Meiji period.

Emperor Meiji

Modernized Japan during his reign.

William Clark

Introduced modern education in Japan.

Natsume Sōseki

Author of Kokoro.

Yosano Akiko

Feminist poet and activist.

General Nogi

Leader in Russo-Japanese War.

Hiratsuka Raichō

Editor of feminist magazine.

Tamura Toshiko

Noted feminist writer.

Tanizaki Junichirō

Author of Shadows.

Hirohito

Emperor during World War II.

Yasujiro Ozu

Director of Tokyo Story.

Akira Kurosawa

Director known for Samurai films.

Yoshimoto Banana

Contemporary novelist.

Murakami Haruki

Author of Norwegian Wood.

Ōe Kenzaburō

Nobel Prize-winning author.

Kawabata Yasunari

Author of Snow Country.

Akihito

Emperor known for reconciliation efforts.

Naruhito

Current emperor of Japan, Reiwa era.

Tezuka Osamu

Regarded as the god of manga.

Asahara Shōkō

Founder of AUM Shinrikyo cult.