Hi, it's Spinner45, back with another "Important People" column. This week, I'm not doing people that have made a difference in Japan. Instead, I'm doing some fun people from Japan. The people will include a writer, a cartoonist, and a mime.
The reason for not doing a regular "Important People" column that I usually do, is that I've had a loss. Someone very nice and respectful. I have been very depressed by this, lately, and have not wanted to do much, but, I told myself, that I have a commitment to Whyville that I would deliver a column every week on important people from around the world. I thought doing fun people from one of my favorite countries would help me feel better. So, for this week, here are your important people.
Koike Mariko
Koike is a writer. She graduated from the literature department of Seikei University. In 1989, her novel, "Tsumano Onnatomodachi", received the prize of the Japan Society for Mysterious Writers. In 1996, she was given the Naoki Prize for "Koi".
She writes various kinds of novels, like psychological novels, horror fictions, and essays. Her best work is "Mienai Johji", "Mubansou", and "Kyouhuhaitat unin".
Her psychological descriptions are loved. She is also well known for her good looks. Her essay, "The Recommendation to the Intelligent Wicked Women" became a bestseller.
Mizuki Shigeru
Mizuki is a cartoonist. He left Mushashino art school and lost his left hand in the Revaul Front of World War 2. Then, he made a living by picture show and rental comics. In 1957, he made his debut as a cartoonist for "Rocketman". After that, he drew a lot of other comics, too.
His major work was "Gegegeno Kitarou". It was televised and was very popular in Japan, so most Japanese probably know about this show, though it is an old one.
He has done a lot of studies on ghosts. They often appear in his work. There were many Japanese traditionally ghosts, like "Konakijijii" (a crying old man) and "Sunakebaba" (an old sand woman). These ghosts, however, did not look frightening, but friendly. :)
Matsumura Kunihiro
He is now famous with his thickset body, and original character. At first, he was working in a TV station for a part-time job. Then, he was accepted by Tsurutaro Kataoka and was brought into the entertainment business.
He is excellent at mimicking. One of the most popular items in his repertory is the ex-professional baseball player, Masayuki Kakefu, which is very similar to the real one.
Sometimes on the radio or at a baseball relay, when Matsumura i talking as Kakefu, people will think he really is Kakefu. The other one is "Bow Bow". It is his mimic of the broadcast writer, Fumio Takada's way of laughing. Though "Bow Bow" doesn't sound similar to the real thing, it is fine with the Japanese because of its "Laughableness". (I like that word xD)
Okay, so I'm sure you've noticed that I didn't include the dates they were born or died, because I'd rather not. :[ I'm ,also, sure you noticed that this one was much, much shorter than my others, I'm very sorry for that, too. I do, however, intend on have a new country next week, that's back to normal, with important people from that country, that's long like my others are. I am, once again, very sorry for this short article about people that are entertaining and not exactly "important", and I hope this one article doesn't make you stop reading and commenting on my articles. Thanks. :]
Spinner45 :]
