JAPANESE SAMURAI / Shinsaku Takasugi

1839 – 1867 高杉晋作 Shinsaku Takasugi The Visionary Leader of Choshu-Han Who Defied Social Status to Protect Japan Birth of a Future Leader Shinsaku Takasugi was born in 1839 in Choshu (modern-day Yamaguchi Prefecture), into a family that had long served the local feudal lord. Demonstrating remarkable intelligence from an early age, Takasugi dedicated himself to martial arts, laying the foundation for his future as a military and political leader. Entering Shoka Sonjuku At the age of 19, Takasugi was invited by his childhood friend, Genzui Kusaka, to join Shoka Sonjuku, a private school founded by Shoin Yoshida, a prominent…

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JAPANESE SAMURAI / Umayado no Oji (Prince Umayado) 

574-622 厩戸皇子 Umayado no Oji (Prince Umayado)  AKA Shōtoku Taishi (Prince Shotoku) 聖徳太子 The Enigmatic Statesman Who Shaped Japan’s Future Mysterious Beginnings Prince Umayado, born in 574 as the son of Emperor Yōmei, entered the world under a cloud of mystery. He became known as Shōtoku Taishi (Prince Shōtoku) after his death. Even the origins of his birth have sparked intriguing stories. One legend suggests his mother nearly gave birth to him outside a stable, while another claims he was born in a stable, evoking comparisons to figures of spiritual significance. As a child, Prince Umayado would not only witness…

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SAMURAI Legends: A Samurai Spirit Lives On / Hideo Naito

1926 – 2023 内藤秀雄 Hideo Naito The Life of Hideo Naito: A Son’s Tribute to His Father’s Legacy in Southern California Real Estate Bio Hideo Naito 内藤秀雄Born on July 1, 1926, in Hyogo Prefecture.Chairman of SBD Group Inc. Shunichi Naito 内藤俊一Born on January 1, 1948, in Osaka Prefecture. President and CEO of SBD Group Inc. SBD Group Inc.Established in 1975, headquartered in California. Specializes in the ownership and management of office buildings, shopping “I See Him in My Dreams All the Time” – Shunichi Naito Remembers His Father, Hideo Naito In December 2023, Hideo Naito, a well-respected figure in the…

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Shibuya, a Dynamic Town with an Infusion of New and Old

Recently, Shibuya has been experiencing the emergence of new facilities one after another. In such a dynamically changing town, there still remain places where you can feel the “good old times.” Here various spots in Shibuya, from the latest facilities to less-known historically-renowned places, are introduced. Ever-evolving Shibuya “Shibuya Sakura Stage” Serving as a New Landmark of Shibuya “Shibuya Sakura Stage” is a complex facility that opened in November 2023 on the site of about 26,000 square meters in the south-west part of Shibuya Station. Various tenants, including a hotel, cafes, and restaurants, are opening one after another. In summer…

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