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Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Legendary Japanese baseball icon Shigeo Nagashima dies at 89
Image Source: Getty Japan mourned the death of Shigeo Nagashima, popularly known as 'Mr. Baseball," as he was 89. He died on June 3, 2025, from pneumonia. A Yomiuri Giants hero, he made baseball super popular in Japan. His big smile and excellent skills won everyone's hearts forever. Shigeo Nagashima's death brings tears On June 3, 2025, Shigeo Nagashima died in a Tokyo hospital because of pneumonia. The Yomiuri Giants, his team forever, shared this sad news. Nagashima was a big star who made baseball Japan's favorite sport. He played third base and hit the ball hard, exciting fans for years. He was a key factor in the Giants' nine straight Japan Series victories from 1965 through 1973 in the 1960s and 1970s. They were nicknamed the 'ON Cannon' with Sadaharu Oh and they were known as the strongest duo in Japanese baseball. His 1959 home run for Emperor Hirohito was very significant. People were impressed by his .305 batting average, 444 homers and 2,471 hits over the years.. Nagashima's happy energy made him a hero, showing Japan's strength after hard times. Also Read: Highest-paid San Francisco Giants players in MLB 2025, ranked by payroll salary A lasting legacy beyond the field Besides being a major baseball player, Nagashima made a substantial contribution to Japan. After his retirement in 1974, Ogiura continued as a coach for the Giants and in 1994 and 2000, he helped the Giants win the Japan Series. " My Giants are forever immorta l" a phrase that has become so popular throughout Japan. A stroke in 2004 stopped him from coaching the Japanese Olympic team, which didn't stop him from recovering, and he carried the Olympic flame in Tokyo 2020, alongside Sadaharu Oh and Hideki Matsui. He was rewarded with huge awards: the People's Honor Award in 2013 and the Order of Culture in 2021. There were lots of young players who looked up to him, including Shohei Ohtani, who said some lovely things about him on the internet. Nagashima's friendly smile made fans love him. He stayed simple, laughing about his mistakes, and kept teaching kids baseball. Born in Sakura, Chiba, in 1936, Nagashima was great at Rikkyo University, hitting eight home runs. He joined the Giants in 1958 and became Rookie of the Year with 29 home runs. He won five MVP awards and joined the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1988. Even after his stroke, he went to games, cheering loudly. When he died, Tokyo newspapers made special editions, showing how much people loved him. Fans like Nobuo Uchiyama shared stories of his kindness and great hits. Japan's leader Yoshimasa Hayashi said Nagashima gave "dreams and hope" to all. His No. 3 Giants jersey, now retired, is a sign of his greatness. Nagashima was close to new stars like Ohtani, meeting him at the MLB Tokyo Series in March 2025. Ohtani shared photos with Nagashima, showing their friendship. Nagashima's fun saying "Make Drama" from 1996 became a big hit, exciting fans and players. Japan now remembers Nagashima as a true hero who made baseball special. His awesome hits and leadership brought so much joy. Getting better after his stroke to carry the Olympic flame showed his strength. Shigeo Nagashima will always be loved as Japan's proud baseball hero.
2 days ago
- Sport
End of a Baseball Era: 'Mister' Nagashima Shigeo Dies at 89
Japanese pro baseball legend Nagashima Shigeo passed away of pneumonia on June 3, 2025. He was 89 years old. Nagashima was born in 1936 in Sakura, Chiba. He attended Rikkyō University, where he made a name for himself by hitting eight home runs—then a record—in play through 1957 among the six Tokyo universities making up the local college league, as well as being chosen as third baseman on the 'best nine' league all-stars for five seasons straight (at the time Japanese schools played two seasons a year, in spring and fall). In 1958 he made his way to the pros, joining the Yomiuri Giants and promptly being named Rookie of the Year for his batting prowess, which saw him lead the Central League in home runs (29) and runs batted in (92). Nagashima Shigeo: Pro Career Stats Position: Third baseman (bats right, throws right) Games played: 2,186 At bats: 8,094 Hits: 2,471 Home runs: 444 RBIs: 1,522 Batting average: .305 (Data from the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum) Nagashima Shigeo, at right, with Giants teammate Oh Sadaharu (date unknown). (© Jiji) Nagashima was a fan favorite for his powerful hitting and flashy fielding alike. Pairing with the slugger Oh Sadaharu as part of the 'ON Cannon,' he was a key contributor to the Giants during the team's nine straight Japan Series championships from 1965 to 1973. During his 17 years in professional play, Nagashima took the batting crown six times, the home run title twice, and led in RBIs five times. Achievements and Awards Batting title: 6 times Most hits: 10 times Most home runs: 2 times Most RBIs: 5 times Rookie of the Year (1958) MVP: 5 times Named to 'Best Nine' all stars: 17 times Golden Glove award: 2 times Shōriki Matsutarō Award (1994) Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame (1988) People's Honor Award (2013) Order of Culture (2021) (Data from the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and ) Nagashima Shigeo ends his last game as a Giant with a retirement ceremony at Kōrakuen Stadium, Tokyo, on October 14, 1974. (© Jiji) Nagashima Shigeo leaves the field for the last time as a player on October 14, 1974. (© Jiji) 'The Giants are forever immortal,' stated Nagashima at his retirement ceremony, held at Tokyo's Kōrakuen Stadium on October 14, 1974. Showing his own dedication to the team where he had spent all 17 of his pro seasons, he went on to manage the Yomiuri squad for a total of 15 seasons, leading them to five Central League pennants and two Japan Series championships during that time. He became the third-winningest manager in Japanese baseball history, with 1,034 wins. In 1988 his achievements as a player and manager secured him a spot in the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame. He was recognized by the government of Japan in 2013 with the People's Honor Award and in 2021 with the Order of Culture, the first ever bestowed on a baseball player. (Originally written in Japanese on June 3, 2025. Banner photo: Nagashima Shigeo visits an exhibition held in Minato, Tokyo, to commemorate seven decades of postwar sports journalism on March 3, 2018, noting, 'I think I might have struck out in this at bat.' © Jiji.)
Yomiuri Shimbun
25-05-2025
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Tokyo's Meguro Ward Office Tour Illuminates Architect Murano's Masterpiece; Complex Features Japanese-style Rooms, Ponds
Old & New video By Ryuzo Suzuki / Yomiuri Shimbun Senior Photographer Participants on the architectural guided tour of the Meguro Ward Office complex, a masterpiece by Togo Murano, look around while ascending the spiral staircase in Meguro Ward, Tokyo, on May 2. Murano was also known as the 'magician of stairs.' In recent years, architecture festivals allowing public tours of prominent buildings have gained significant popularity in various parts of the nation. A prime example is the Tokyo Architecture Festival, which started last year. Furthermore, one of the first inspirations for these types of tours is often cited as the Meguro Ward Office complex guided tour. Tours of the complex began in 2004 and have been held for more than 20 years. This year's four-day event in April and May drew about 250 participants. The odds of getting a tour were low. One in four to six applicants nabbed a spot, making it a challenging tour to book. The Meguro Museum of Art organizes the tours. For about two hours, the participants explore various parts of the complex while listening to explanations from volunteer guides includingarchitects and those in the construction field. Notably, about half of the 10 or so guides are long-serving veterans who have been involved since the first tour. Their detailed explanations are highly appreciated. By Ryuzo Suzuki / Yomiuri Shimbun Senior Photographer People take in Murano's relaxing architecture in a Japanese-style room facing a pond, now named 'Shijukara no Ma,' admiring the luminous ceiling and modern shoji screens. When this was the Chiyoda Mutual Life Insurance headquarters building, this room was used for club activities. One of the hallmarks of Murano's architecture is said to be its innovative style, a fusion of Western and Japanese, modernism and classicism. The Meguro Ward Office complex, completed in 1966, was originally the head office building of The Chiyoda Mutual Life Insurance Co. (now The Gibraltar Life Insurance Co.) . Considered a masterpiece, the building was designed by Togo Murano, a renowned architect who was active during Japan's period of rapid economic was given full discretionary power over the design and budget. Murano was involved in numerous significant projects in Tokyo alone, including renovations of the State Guest House Akasaka Palace and the Nihombashi Takashimaya Shopping Center, as well as the construction of the Nissay Theatre. He also received the Order of Culture. By Ryuzo Suzuki / Yomiuri Shimbun Senior Photographer People listen to an explanation about the design of a sesame field depicted from an aerial perspective on the fusuma sliding doors in a mizuya, the preparation area of a tea ceremony room, within the Meguro Ward Office complex. The expansive 16,000-square-meter site is magnificent, boasting a luxurious layout that includes a main building, an annex, an entrance building, a club building, a hill and both large and small ponds. Following the bankruptcy of the company in 2000, Meguro Ward acquired the building. Subsequent renovations led to it being used as the comprehensive ward office complex starting in 2003. The building presently accommodates facilities, including the ward office, the metropolitan tax office and a public health center. By Ryuzo Suzuki / Yomiuri Shimbun Senior Photographer People head toward a tea ceremony room, with the tea garden visible to the side. This space offers a level of simple beauty and peacefulness that is unexpected and makes visitors feel far removed from the typical interior of a building. Upon entering the south entrance connecting to the third floor of the main building, visitors are immediately drawn to the open entrance hall and a spiral staircase that extends from the second to the fourth floor. The first floor, accessed via a separate staircase, is busy with residents coming for various procedures. By contrast, the inner courtyard features a pond. There are also Japanese-style rooms and a tea ceremony room, creating a tranquil scene that one can hardly believe is inside a ward office. It is also a rare example of a building that has changed from private to public use. By Ryuzo Suzuki / Yomiuri Shimbun Senior Photographer People gather at the entrance hall connecting to the third floor of the main building to join a tour of the Meguro Ward Office complex. 'I felt deeply impressed that a building from around my birth year boasts such a wonderful design and remains in active use,' said a part-time employee of a confectionery company in her 50s. 'Before heading home, I plan to revisit the places we saw on the tour on my own,' the woman, who came from Zushi, Kanagawa Prefecture, commented. 'Twenty years ago, the trend was to tear down old buildings and rebuild new ones one after another. Now, the appreciation for using old buildings has grown, but it's impossible to rebuild them in the same way due to issues with the skills of craftsmen and costs,' a veteran guide said. 'The beauty of architecture that goes beyond mere function is evident here. As it's a ward office, many parts are accessible for repeat visits. We hope visitors will come again with friends and expand your appreciation and delight in this space.' The next guided tour is scheduled to be held around the same time next year. Tours in English will be also available. By Ryuzo Suzuki / Yomiuri Shimbun Senior Photographer The exterior of the Meguro Ward Office complex, which is covered with vertical aluminum louvers. These louvers, combined with the balconies, allow gentle natural light to penetrate the interior.
Yomiuri Shimbun
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Exhibitions, Shows Mark 100th Birthday of Legendary Storyteller Katsura Beicho; Late Performer Was Known as ‘God of Kamigata Rakugo' and ‘Living National Treasure'
The Yomiuri Shimbun Photos of Katsura Beicho's stage performances are seen during a special exhibition in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture. Yomiuri Shimbun file photo Katsura Beicho gives a rakugo performance in Osaka in July 2001. OSAKA — This year marks 100 years since the birth and 10 years since the death of legendary rakugo storyteller Katsura Beicho III (1925-2015). A number of plans have been made to pay tribute to the man and explore his achievements and character, including for rakugo performance events to be held by his disciples and for special exhibitions and publications to introduce people to the valuable materials he left behind. Beicho is widely praised as 'the father of the Kamigata rakugo revival' which occurred in the Kamigata area around Kyoto and Osaka. He was named a holder of important intangible cultural property — a living national treasure — in 1996. Beicho was born in modern-day Dalian, China, and grew up in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture. While attending Daito Bunka Gakuin, now Daito Bunka University, Beicho began studying rakugo under novelist Iruru Masaoka, who was also a researcher of the culture of yose entertainment theaters. In 1947, Beicho became a disciple of Katsura Yonedanji IV, aiming to become a rakugo performer and revive Kamigata rakugo, which was in danger of going into decline. Beicho later gained popularity as a rakugo performer for his deft use of language and graceful way of speaking. He subsequently became known as one of the 'Big Four' along with Shofukutei Shokaku VI, Katsura Bunshi V and Katsura Harudanji III. Even among this group, Beicho was particularly scholarly. He revived long-unperformed stories such as 'Jigoku Bakkei Moja no Tawamure' (A dead man enjoys eight views of hell), a story about the experiences of a man who dies and roams the afterlife. He also published a number of books, including collections of his stories and essays, full of insights into Kamigata rakugo. Beicho also created many audio recordings of his performances. In recognition of his contribution to the world of Kamigata entertainment, Beicho was awarded the Order of Culture in 2009, making him the first rakugo storyteller to receive this honor. Precious draft In Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, where Beicho lived, a special exhibition, entitled 'Katsura Beicho: Hanashika no Sugata' (Katsura Beicho: The image of a rakugo storyteller) was held earlier this year at the Amagasaki Cultural Center. About 190 items connected to the performer were put on display, including photos of his performances taken by the exclusive photographer for Beicho and his disciples. Messages from his master Yonedanji gave a window into Beicho's youth. One postcard expresses Yonedanji's frustration about a performance by Beicho, saying, 'Even given the condition you were in, your performance was extremely dissatisfying.' But another letter from Yonedanji offers encouragement: 'When you are young you have to be conceited.' The Yomiuri Shimbun A draft of a rakugo story called 'Inu no Kuyami' (Condolences for your dog) is displayed at a special exhibition in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture. Beicho also created new stories while exploring and performing classical stories. A draft of a story called 'Inu no Kuyami' (Condolences for your dog) written on a piece of straw paper was displayed at the exhibition. The sheet of paper was filled with plot points and phrases from the story — whose existence had not been known when Beicho was alive — in tiny writing. 'His study of Kamigata entertainment and exchanges with people of culture from both eastern and western Japan contributed to his big achievements in reviving Kamigata rakugo,' the center's official in charge of the exhibition said. 'He displayed great skill, putting the extensive knowledge he gained from these activities back together and expressing it all in the form of rakugo stories.' Memories of Beicho The Yomiuri Shimbun The front cover of 'Katsura Beicho ga Nokoshita Takaramono' (Treasures left by Katsura Beicho) In February, a book titled 'Katsura Beicho ga Nokoshita Takaramono' (Treasures left by Katsura Beicho) was published by Tankosha Publishing. The book is split into two parts. In the first, 'Mono-Hen' (Things), rakugo researcher Koji Ozawa, who had a close relationship with Beicho and has been sorting out papers left behind by Beicho at his residence, writes about these documents, which number roughly 40,000. In the second chapter, 'Hito-Hen' (People), 13 of Beicho's disciples relate memories of their master. During his life, Beicho fostered 22 direct disciples, including such famous entertainers as Tsukitei Kacho, Katsura Shijaku and Katsura Zakoba. Including second-generation and later performers and those who are now deceased, his family of followers comprises a total of 90 rakugo storytellers. The chapter also includes a discussion between second-generation disciple Katsura Nanko and two other performers, Katsura Bunchin and Shofukutei Tsurube, who were acquainted with Beicho despite being members of a different family. This section of the book gives the reader a glimpse of how Beicho was loved beyond the boundaries of rakugo families. Memorial rakugo tour Beicho's disciples are going on a nationwide tour of performances to pay tribute to their master. The tour began on March 19, the anniversary of Beicho's passing, and will include performances in 19 locations, including ones in Okayama, Fukuoka and Ibaraki prefectures, with the last shows scheduled for Nov. 8 and 9 at the Yurakucho Asahi Hall in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo. In addition to his disciples' performances, video of Beicho performing will be shown and roundtable discussions between the disciples will be held. These performances are filled with the disciples' fervent hopes that, in a time when there are more and more people who have never heard a rakugo performance by Beicho, audiences will learn a little about the 'God of Kamigata rakugo.' *** Eldest son speaks about Beicho The Yomiuri Shimbun Katsura Yonedanji V, Beicho's eldest son, talks about his father. The Yomiuri Shimbun spoke with 66-year-old Katsura Yonedanji V, the eldest son of Beicho, about memories of his father and the future of Kamigata rakugo. The following is excerpted from the interview. From the time I was small, my father gave me opportunities to get in touch with art forms such kabuki and kyogen, but he never once taught me about rakugo. When I told him I wanted to join his family of rakugo performers, having been encouraged by people such as my elder disciple [Katsura] Shijaku, he accepted my wish, bitterly saying 'I will teach you just one story, because it would be unbecoming for the son of a rakugo performer to be unable to tell at least one story.' I found out later that he admitted to his disciples that if I became a rakugo performer he would favor me. The actual training was as strict for me as it was for the other disciples. Beicho often told his disciples, 'You need to do it just as I tell you.' When I was just starting out, I would try performing in ways I thought would be more interesting, only to find that they didn't work well. I realized that Beicho's way of performing had come about through repeated trial and error from the time he was young. I thought, 'Those things he said to us really meant a lot.' Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of young people pursuing careers in Kamigata rakugo has declined to one or two per year. It is frightening to think about what the situation will be a decade from now. I think all rakugo storytellers, including myself, have to make ourselves ever more charming and aim to be star storytellers. That's how we'll create the rakugo world of tomorrow.
