Latest news with #ShowaEra
Asahi Shimbun
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Asahi Shimbun
VOX POPULI: Giants' legend Nagashima sparkled on the field and in life
As a superstar for the Yomiuri Giants, Shigeo Nagashima captivated fans with his dynamic swing. (Asahi Shimbun file photo) You sometimes hear people say they 'dislike the Giants,' but I've never met anyone who said they 'dislike Nagashima.' A man universally loved—a truly fortunate figure. On the morning of Oct. 14, 1974, when Shigeo Nagashima, the iconic Japanese baseball legend and star of the Yomiuri Giants was set to announce his retirement, The Asahi Shimbun's signature daily column Vox Populi, Vox Dei began with those words, penned with deep respect. Half a century later, that impression remains unchanged. Upon hearing the news of his passing on June 3, I once again feel compelled to echo those words with heartfelt reverence. More than anything, it was his radiance, his irrepressible cheer, which captivated the nation. Surely, this is what we mean when we speak of a true star. The news of Nagashima's passing brings to mind a childhood scene once shared across the nation: a summer evening, watching a baseball broadcast unfold like a ritual. Sitting on the 'engawa' traditional wooden veranda with family and neighbors gathered close, we stared intently at the tiny black-and-white TV screen. 'Batting fourth, third baseman, Nagashima.' The uniquely composed, measured voice of a devoted female announcer for the Giants' home stadium made this call unmistakable. When she intoned Nagashima's name, the air crackled with energy. A ripple of excitement would surge through the room and a collective cry would rise, as if shaken loose by memory or myth. In that moment, we knew: the drama was about to begin. From striking out in all four at-bats in his debut game to a lifetime of larger-than-life episodes, his career was never short on drama. Undaunted by setbacks, he faced every challenge with fearless determination. His final years, marked by illness, were no exception. How many found strength in the sight of 'Mister'—a nickname born from 'Mr. Giants' and 'Mr. Pro Baseball' in testament to his standing as the face of both the team and the sport—pressing on with unwavering spirit? During Japan's period of rapid economic growth in the Showa Era (1926–1989), daily life was far from uniformly bright or joyful. In fact, it may have been precisely the depth of those societal shadows that made Nagashima's light shine all the more brilliantly. He once famously quipped, 'Shippai wa seiko no maza' (failure is the mother of success), humorously substituting the English word 'mother' for the Japanese 'haha.' Another memorable line came on his 60th birthday, a traditional milestone in Japan known as 'kanreki': 'I've reached my first kanreki,' he said with a grin. With these delightfully whimsical turns of a phrase, he had a rare gift for bringing smiles to all who listened. Now, a symbolic figure of an era when many gritted their teeth and clung to hope for tomorrow has set off on a distant journey. —The Asahi Shimbun, June 4 * * * Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.
Japan Times
30-05-2025
- General
- Japan Times
Okinawan remains looted in early Showa Era returned by Kyoto University
Remains taken by Japanese researchers from a tomb in Okinawa Prefecture in the early 20th century have been returned, it was learned Thursday. Researchers from Kyoto Imperial University, which is now Kyoto University, had taken the remains early in the country's Showa Era (1926-1989) from the Mumujanabaka tomb built in the middle ages in the Okinawan village of Nakijin. The remains, stored in 15 container boxes, were delivered to the Nakijin board of education on May 21. The board, which is set to preserve the remains as academic materials, said it was told by Kyoto University that the remains were of at least 26 people. An assistant professor and lecturer from Kyoto Imperial University are believed to have taken the remains from Mumujanabaka, according to the board. The descendants of those in the tomb filed a lawsuit in 2018 demanding that Kyoto University return the remains. Kyoto District Court and Osaka High Court rejected the demand but called on relevant organizations to hold discussions to resolve the issue.
Japan Times
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Times
Sculpted waves, sleek updos: Showa hairstyles are back in fashion
In a small salon in Tokyo's Nakaochiai neighborhood, Mitsunobu Onoda wields his scissors with meticulous precision, the same way he has for the past 47 years. His cozy salon, Miyu Hair Studio, is filled with vintage photographs and elegant mirrors, reflecting a time gone by. Videos of his work, shared by his daughter, Kaori Onoda, on social media, capture the nostalgic elegance of hairstyles from the Showa Era (1926-1989): voluminous curls, sculpted waves, textured layers and sleek updos. These retro looks have sparked the interest of a younger generation, gaining traction on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. One reel featuring Onoda's work has already garnered over 580,000 views — an indication of the growing fascination with vintage Japanese beauty. 'Seeing these hairstyles being appreciated again makes me happy and evokes a lot of nostalgia in me,' says Onoda, 67. Hair stylist Mitsunobu Onoda (left) and his daughter, Kaori Onoda, have seen a strong response to posting their Showa-influenced cuts to social media. | CAROL R.H. MALASIG His career once revolved around crafting glamorous looks for idols and beauty queens of the era. Now, with the help of Kaori, who manages his and Miyu Hair Studio's online presence, he's found a new audience eager to recreate the past. For Kaori, 26, who often wears Showa hair and fashion herself, the renewed fascination with Showa style is no mystery. She credits television reruns and YouTube content showcasing Showa idols as a driving force behind the revival. 'Akina Nakamori is the most popular,' she notes, referring to the singer and actress who rose to fame in the 1980s and withdrew from the public eye in 1989. Her much-anticipated comeback in 2022 reignited interest in her classic style, sometimes showcased in performances where she sports Showa-esque hair. Platforms like Instagram have also enabled young people to explore vintage aesthetics, often adding a modern twist. Taiwan-born influencer Vivi Chou says she one day hopes to recreate the Showa-inspired wedding of her parents. | COURTESY OF VIVI CHOU 'For me, everything now is so convenient, and I long for a time when things were more analog,' Kaori says. While Onoda's retro creations are gaining popularity, other salons are noticing subtle shifts in client requests. Yokomizo Kyoya, 80, owner of Hair Maison Kyoya in northern Tokyo's Kitasenju neighborhood, observes a growing preference for natural-leaning hairstyles reminiscent of the era. He notes that kimono rental stores in Asakusa may also be contributing to this resurgence by offering traditional braided hairstyles, which were iconic in Showa fashion. Men, too, are embracing the trend. Ren Yanagisawa, 29, of Land, a salon in the trendy Omotesando neighborhood, has received multiple requests for the 'techno cut,' a sleek, structured look reminiscent of Ryuichi Sakamoto's signature style during the Showa Era. 'There's a timeless quality to these hairstyles,' Yanagisawa says. 'They're bold yet refined, and they carry a certain nostalgia that resonates with people today.' Influencer Vivi Chou, 28, a Taiwanese content creator living in Japan for the last five years, describes her fascination with looks straight out of the Showa Era. Drawn to the beauty of the aesthetic, she hopes to one day recreate her mother's Showa-influenced wedding style from that time. For her, immersing herself in the fashion of the time is a way to better understand her parents' experiences and the cultural atmosphere they lived in. 'Even though I wasn't born then, I feel a nostalgic connection to it,' she says. 'Through my content, I want to bring people into that time and share why it remains so special.' Manami Ohshima, owner of the Ohisama Yohinten vintage clothing store, says many of her customers appreciate the craftsmanship that went into clothes made during the Showa Era. | CAROL R.H. MALASIG The Showa Era was a time of immense transformation for Japan. Marked by war, political upheaval and post-war reconstruction, the early years of Showa were defined by hardship and resilience. However, the latter part of the era, particularly during Japan's economic boom from the 1950s to the 1980s, saw a flourishing of cultural and artistic expression. Western influences began to merge with traditional Japanese aesthetics, leading to a distinct fashion identity. Women embraced tailored silhouettes, bold makeup, padded shoulders and glamorous hairstyles inspired by Hollywood, while youth culture thrived with subversive styles that celebrated individuality. This era's fashion was a visual reflection of Japan's newfound optimism and international engagement. For Manami Ohshima, 35, this resurgence has been a boon for her business. Since 2016, she has run Ohisama Yohinten, a vintage clothing store in Kitasenju. Originally aspiring to be a fashion buyer, Ohshima fell in love with the craftsmanship and distinctive style of Showa garments. From feminine dresses and chic two-piece outfits, to A-line skirts and coats with sleeves cut just above the wrist, she styles them on hangers herself. 'Clothes from the Showa Era in Japan were made very carefully, one by one, with high-quality fabrics and neat stitching, and each item was carefully made to order,' Ohshima says. 'It's also for people who value uniqueness. Most of the mass-produced clothes on sale nowadays are plain, and the shapes are similar no matter which brand you look at.' Mitsunobu Onoda shows off a collection of his Showa-influence haircuts, saying that he doesn't believe a resurgence in Showa style "is just a passing trend." | CAROL R.H. MALASIG Ohshima notes that while interest is growing, the customer base is still relatively niche. 'Those who come once usually become repeat customers, and some of them are also from overseas, like China and Taiwan.' Both within Japan and beyond, a generation raised on speed and convenience seems to be finding a refreshing contrast in the care and detail of the past. 'I don't think this is just a passing trend,' Onoda says. 'The Showa Era was known for quality. For me, it's not about recreating a style just for nostalgia's sake — I want people to choose these looks because they genuinely appreciate the craftsmanship.'
Japan Times
21-03-2025
- General
- Japan Times
Natsue Kondo: The female vice admiral who broke the glass ceiling at Japan's SDF
In December 2023, Natsue Kondo became the first woman promoted to top leadership at any of the three branches of the Self-Defense Forces. More than a year on, Maritime Self-Defense Force Vice Adm. Kondo, 59, remains the only female SDF officer holding any of the top ranks — admiral and vice admiral at the MSDF, and general and lieutenant general for the Ground and Air Self-Defense Force. Kondo commands the MSDF's Ominato District, based in Mutsu, Aomori Prefecture. This group is tasked with protecting maritime security in areas north of Aomori, including the Tsugaru and Soya straits, as well as keeping an eye on the Russian and Chinese militaries. "I was initially planning to be a high school teacher," Kondo said in a recent interview. "I didn't really have a lot of knowledge about the SDF or have a strong feeling for national security." One day when she was working as a temporary teacher at a junior high school after graduating from Yamaguchi University, an SDF recruitment pamphlet at a city government office caught her eye. Attracted by the diverse jobs and the global working environment offered by the SDF, Kondo took a test and passed. "I felt that even someone like me was needed by the SDF. This made me want to contribute to this organization," she said. Kondo "hadn't given any thought" about being the first female top-ranking SDF officer, she said. "Of course, I have a sense of mission and responsibility," she said. "But everyone in a similar position to mine has such a resolve regardless of whether they are a man or a woman." She joined the MSDF in 1989, when the Showa Era (1926 to 1989) ended and the Heisei Era (1989 to 2019) began. Although the working environment for female SDF members was far less desirable back then, Kondo said, "I can't really recall any hardships." The only bitter memory so far was being excluded from a long-distance training voyage after she graduated from the Maritime Officer Candidate School because she was a woman. Conducted for around seven months both in and outside Japan, the training was held as an opportunity to learn knowledge necessary for officers and develop a global perspective. "I wanted to be a crew member of an MSDF vessel, but there was no (living) quarter for women on the vessel at the time," she said. It was customary for the school's graduates to board boats from a pier and then get on a training ship docked in a bay. But five female graduates including Kondo had to go back to the pier. "All of us were crying" in disappointment, she said. "I thought that the values I would have developed (through the training) must be more important than I could imagine, such as views on the nation, on the world and on security, and the sense of mission," she said. "I thought I was at a great disadvantage because I lost out on this golden opportunity," she recalled. But she added that such experiences are not necessarily a bad thing, "because (they) can provide the valuable experience of overcoming adversity." "The meaning of advancing in one's career differs depending on what each individual values," she said. "We must not let any opportunities for women to challenge themselves be taken away."
