Kano Sisters

Infobox Person
name = Kyoko Kano

---

caption =
birth_date = birthdate and age|1962|10|7
birth_place = Osaka Japan
birth_name = Kyoko Koyama
residence = Tokyo
nationality = Japanese
height = 169cm (5'5")cite news
last = Takeuchi Cullen
first = Lisa
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title = Their Bodies, Themselves
work = Time Magazine
newspaper = Time Magazine
pages =
year = 2001
date = 8 October 2001
url =http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,178483,00.html
accessdate= 2008-01-17
language = English]
weight =
other_names = Koko
known_for = Bust: 96cm
Waist: 58cm
Hips: 91cm
occupation =
website = [http://www.ponycanyon.co.jp/asianbeauties/ The Kanō sisters' official website] Infobox Person
name = Mika Kano

---

caption =
birth_date = birthdate and age|1967|09|23
birth_place = Saijō, Ehime Japan
birth_name = Mika Tamai
residence = Tokyo
nationality = Japanese
height = 170cm (5'5")text]
weight =
other_names = Tamagon, Mikaringu
known_for = Bust: 96cm
Waist: 57cm
Hips: 91cm
occupation =
website = [http://www.ponycanyon.co.jp/asianbeauties/ The Kanō sisters' official website]

nihongo|Kyoko Kano|叶 恭子|Kanō Kyōko|born 7 October 1962 in Osaka and nihongo|Mika Kano|叶 美香|Kanō Mika|born 23 September 1967 in Saijō, Ehime, known collectively as the nihongo|Kano sisters|叶姉妹|Kanō shimai|, are Japanese celebrities.

Early life and background

The Kano Sisters say they are half-sisters with different mothers.cite news
last = Shinohara
first = Tsunenori
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title = Magic of the Mystery Sisters
work = Asahi News Service
newspaper = Asahi News Service
pages =
year = 2000
date = 15 November 2000
url =
language = English ] There is also a 3rd "sister" named Harue, the second-oldest, who initially made appearances with the two. She eventually withdrew from the scene after marriage, according to industry sources, and now only intermittently appears with them.cite news
last = Itakura
first = Kimie
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title = Rumors, Ridicule Fuel Success of Kano Sisters
work = Asahi News Service
newspaper = Asahi News Service
pages =
year = 2000
date = 6 October 2000
url =
language = English ] The lack of resemblance between them as well as their refusal to answer any questions about their age (even their reported ages are speculation) or past fuels speculation the three are not sisters at all, but just another group of tarento with a carefully crafted gimmick.text] Within Japan it is rumored that before becoming celebrities, they were high priced call girls for the jet set level.cite news
last =
first =
coauthors =
title = How Kyoko Kano Accumulated Her Wealth
work = Shukan Post Watcher
pages =
language = English (translated by Toshiya Fuji)
publisher = Japan Today
date = 29 March 2007
url = http://www.japantoday.com/jp/shukan/389
accessdate =2008-01-16
language = English]

Career

In 1997, the oldest sister Kyoko debuted in "25ans", an upscale women's fashion magazine, as one of its "supaa dokusha" (super readers). Her success led to both sisters appearing regularly on Japanese TV. Their main claim to fame is their outrageous sense of style, involving highly revealing clothes, flashy jewelry, and jet-set travel. Often wearing see-through dresses with deep V-necks, the sisters generously show off their full breasts and long legs.text]

Apart from frequent television appearances, they market a series of exercise videos, erotic calendars, collectible fashion cardscite news
last =
first =
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title = Televiews; An Xmas ode on the joys of television
work = The Daily Yomiuri (Tokyo)
newspaper = The Daily Yomiuri (Tokyo)
pages = 10
year = 2002
date = 19 December 2002
url =
language = English ] and coffee-table pictorials, featuring the two preening mostly naked before a soft-focus lens.cite news
last = Takeuchi Cullen
first = Lisa
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title = From Tokyo, with Love
work = Time Magazine
newspaper = Time
pages =
year =
date = 8 October 2001
url = http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,178478,00.html
accessdate = 2008-01-17
language = English] Japanese toy maker Takara Co. began to sell 30-centimeter-high dolls modeled after the Kano sisters, called Kano Sisters' Gorgeous Dolls, in March 2002. The dolls were priced at 19,800 yen a pair.cite news
last =
first =
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title = Takara to Sell Kano Sisters Dolls in March
work = Jiji Press Ticker Service
newspaper = Jiji Press Ticker Service
pages =
year =
date = 28 January 2002
url =
language = English ]

They are frequently invited to movie premieres, film festivals, and award ceremonies. Self-described "Lifestyle Consultants," Japanese women pay pounds 150 for a Kano seminar to hear their advice on how to get more from a relationship and how to apply a flawless face.cite news
last = Drinkwater
first = Jane
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title = Big in Japan (in Several Ways): Life Stories
work = Independent on Sunday (London)
newspaper = Independent on Sunday (London)
pages = 3
year =
date = 24 February 2002
url =
language = English] Businessmen pay them as much as $30,000 to make appearances at parties. [cite journal|last=Haskell|first=Robert|date=1 October 2002|title=Made in Japan: Kyoko and Mika Kano, the so-called Japanese Hilton sisters, are bringing their curious act to New York|journal=W (magazine)|publisher=Fairchild Publications, Inc.|volume=31|issue=10|pages=116|issn=0162-9115|language=English] The sisters are each a former Miss Japan.cite news
last = Sasaki
first = Nobuaki
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title = Siblings Give Australian Wine a Glamorous, if Woody, Aroma
work = Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
newspaper = Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
pages = 21
year =
date = 15 December 2001
url =
language = English ]

In 3 April 2006, the Kano sisters published a collection of nude artistic photographs in a book entitled "Sweet Goddess". Posing in a revealing style known in Japanese as "hea nuudo", or "hair nude," a term for nude photographs of women who display their pubic hair, the photographs were taken by Kyoko Kano with modeling by Mika Kano. "Sweet Goddess" was reported to be among the first path breaking collections that break this unwritten post-war publication rule.cite news
last = Connell
first = Ryann
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title = Sexy Kano sisters flash the flesh but men denied a peek
work = Mainichi Daily News
newspaper = Mainichi Daily News
pages =
year = 2006
date = 5 April 2006
url =http://mdn.mainichi.jp/culture/waiwai/archive/news/2006/04/20060405p2g00m0dm016000c.html
accessdate = 2008-01-17
language = English] "Sweet Goddess" was listed as a bestseller for several months.cite news
last =
first =
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title = Besutosera (Bestsellers)
work = Asahi Shimbun
newspaper = Asahi Shimbun
pages =
year = 2006
date = 27 May 2006
url =
accessdate =
language = Japanese] The Kano sisters released a similar pictorial collection entitled "Sweet Goddess 2" on 1 November 2006.

Kyoko Kano as author

On 1 January 2000, Kano released an autobiographical book, "Millennium Muse" with an introduction by non-fiction writer Yuko Kobayashi. The book included full color photographs of her posing with younger sister, Harue Koyama, and discusses Kano’s background and philosophy on life, love, men, money and sex. Some in the media panned the writing as amateurish. The book became an "Asahi Shimbun" bestseller.cite news
last =
first =
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title = Besutosera (Bestsellers)
work = Asahi Shimbun
newspaper = Asahi Shimbun
pages =
year = 1999
date = 18 December 2006
url =
accessdate =
language = Japanese] Six years later, Kano followed it up with "Toriorizumu", a non-fiction work that elaborates on these themes. Writing in the "Shukan Post", she describes all 30 chapters and 237 pages as a "personal record experiencing a 'type of love without taboos.'"cite journal
last = Kano
first = Kyoko
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title = Watashi-no Toriorizumu Sekkusu (My threesome)
work = "Shukan Post"
newspaper =
Volume = 38
number = 1842
pages =
year =
date = 13 January 2006
url =
accessdate =
language = Japanese]

Personal life

Kyoko claims she was the potential wife of an elderly American billionaire after "five Hollywood actresses failed to win his heart", but dumped him.text]

Lawsuits

Defamation

In April 2000, author Shigeru Sato published am unauthorized biography of Kyoko Kano in which he depicted her lifestyle from the viewpoint of a pet cat. Kano sued the author for defamation, demanding 10 million yen in the suit. In September 2001, the Tokyo District Court ordered the author to pay Kano 5 million yen in damages, for infringing on Kano's privacy and dishonoring her reputation. In handing down the ruling, Presiding Judge Yoshihiro Katayama said that Sato used "blunt and excessive" expression in portraying Kano, who frequently appears on TV, "as a person who does not think of anything but sexual matters." [cite news|title=Celebrity Kyoko Kano wins suit over privacy violation|last=Japan Economic Newswire|date=19 September 2001|publisher="Kyodo News Service"|language=English|accessdate=2008-05-18]

In August 2005, Kyoko and Mika Kano sued Japanese actress Miri Okada for defamation based on Okada's televised June 2005 claim that the two sisters unsuccessfully tried to seduce Okada's husband, Norio Yaginuma. ["Shukan Shincho", October 27, 2005, as reported in cite news |first=Ryann|last=Connell|title=Saucy sisters steaming over seduction story|work=Mainichi Daily News
url=http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/waiwai/face/archive/news/2005/20051021p2g00m0dm013000c.html|work=Mainichi Shimbun|date=October 21, 2005|accessdate=2007-04-29|language=English] The sisters were awarded 660,000 yen (approx. US$ 6,200) compensation by the Tokyo District Court in July 2006. Judge Shigehiro Ishikawa ruled, " [Okada's] claims were groundless and she neglected in her duty to ask that they not be broadcast."cite news
last =
first =
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title = Kano Sisters win court case over 'husband seduction' claim
work = Mainichi Daily News
newspaper = Mainichi Daily News
pages =
year = 2006
date = July 29, 2006
url =
language = English ]

Harue Koyama Incident

On 6 February 2007,cite news
last = Kano
first = Kyoko
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title = Daiya-no yubiwa ijou-ni taisetsu-na mono-o watashi-wa ushinatta (I lost something more important than a diamond ring)
work = Fujinkoron
volume = 1230
pages = 163
year = 2007
date = 7 August 2007
url =
accessdate =
language = Japanese] the Kano sisters filed a missing persons report for Kyoko's younger sister Harue Koyama who reportedly disappeared with 500 million yen (US$ 4.6 million) worth of luxury items, cash and furniture belonging to the Kano sisters.cite news
last =
first =
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title = Third Kano sister flees with Y500 million
work = Japan Today
newspaper = Japan Today
pages =
year = 2007
date = 16 February 2007
url = http://www.japantoday.com/jp/news/399275
accessdate = 2008-01-18
language = English] Some media reports suggested that Harue Koyama absconded with the money under the influence of a "foreign lover" whom she first met while living overseas.cite news
last = Connell
first = Ryann
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title = 500 million yen, foreign lover all part of mystery disappearance of third Kano sister
work = Mainichi Daily News
newspaper = The Daily Mainichi News
pages =
year = 2007
date = 23 February 2007
url = http://mdn.mainichi.jp/culture/waiwai/face/archive/news/2007/20070223p2g00m0dm038000c.html
accessdate = 2008-01-18
language = English] Other reports suggested that the whole incident was a fake intended to keep the Kano sisters in the news right around the time Kyoko was releasing what has since become her steady selling book, "Love and Sex".cite news
last = Connell
first = Ryann
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title = 400 million yen Kano Sisters heist hushed to protect the source of the wedge?
work = Mainichi Daily News
newspaper = The Daily Mainichi News
pages =
year = 2007
date = 8 May 2007
url = http://mdn.mainichi.jp/culture/waiwai/archive/news/2007/05/20070508p2g00m0dm020000c.html
accessdate = 2008-01-18
language = English] Hearing media reports of her sister's police filings and concern, Harue Koyama, together with her lawyer, reappeared on 17 February 2007.text] On 21 February 2007, Kyoko and Mika Kano held a press conference to deny any allegations of an orchestrated publicity event or other wrong doing.cite news
last =
first =
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title = Kanos say missing sister report not a publicity stunt
work = Japan Today
newspaper = Japan Today
pages =
year = 2007
date = 22 February 2007
url = http://www.japantoday.com/jp/news/399771
accessdate = 2008-01-18
language = English] Subsequently, on the same day, Harue's lawyer issued a faxed statement to the mass media which read in part, "The items in question are [Harue's] private property."text] On 6 July 2007, Kyoko Kano filed a criminal complaint against Koyama with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's Akasaka Station. She accused Koyama of theft amounting to a grand total of 270 million yen (US$ 2.3 million).cite news
last =
first =
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title = nihongo2|叶恭子が妹・晴栄さんを刑事告訴…被害２億７０００万円 (Kyoko Kano files criminal complaint against younger sister Harue. Da

work = nihongo2|産経新聞 (Sankei Sports)
newspaper = nihongo2|産経新聞 (Sankei Sports)
pages =
year = 2007
date = 7 August 2007
url =
accessdate =
language = Japanese]

Teruo Koyama Incident

Teruo Koyama, father of Kyoko Kano, allegedly accosted the Kano sisters with an umbrella in a Tokyo underground parking lot complex on December 25, 2007 after the sisters had allegedly refused to loan him an undisclosed amount of money. He was arrested for intimidation, accused of violating the Law concerning Punishment for Physical Violence.cite news
last =
first =
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title = Father of celebrity Kyoko Kano arrested for intimidating her
work = Mainichi Daily News
newspaper = Mainichi Daily News
pages =
year = 2007
date = December 28, 2007
url = http://mdn.mainichi.jp/national/news/20071228p2a00m0na001000c.html
accessdate = 2008-01-17
language = English]

Following the incident, on 11 January 2008, Kyoko Kano filed a defamation lawsuit for 11 million yen (approx. US$ 103 thousand) in compensatory damages against weekly news magazine "Shukan Shincho" in the Tokyo District Court. According to the petition, the magazine's January 17 issue would run an article accusing the Kano sisters of duplicity. The magazine article alleged that "While Kyoko [Kano] had borrowed money from her father, she failed to repay the debt." The plaintiff insisted that it was the father who persistently asked for money, commenting that "such erroneous reporting could damage her reputation."nihongo2|Original Japanese: 訴状によると、週刊新潮１月１７日号は「『実父逮捕』でバレちゃった『叶姉妹』のヒミツ」と題する記事を掲載。恭子が父親から金を借りていながら返済していないなどと報じた。原告側は「あくまで親が一方的に金を無心したにすぎない」と主張し、恭子本人も「誤った報道で名誉を傷つけられることは遺憾」とコメントした。cite news
last =
first =
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title = nihongo2|叶恭子が新潮社を訴える…１１００万円の損害賠償を求める (Kyoko Kano sues "Shukan Shincho", asking for 11 million yen in damages)
work = Sankei Sports
newspaper = Sankei Sports
pages =
year =
date = 12 January 2008
url =
language = Japanese ] The editorial staff at "Shukan Shincho" would not comment on the lawsuit.nihongo2|週刊新潮編集部は「コメントはしない」としている。cite news
last =
first =
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title = nihongo2|叶恭子が父親との金銭トラブル記事で新潮社を提訴 (Kyoko Kano sues "Shukan Shincho" over article alleging money troubles with father)
work = Hochi Shimbun
newspaper = Hochi Shimbun
pages =
year =
date = 12 January 2008
url =
language = Japanese]

Trivia

*Mika Kano gave 1 million yen (approximately $10,000 at the time) of her own money to the relief fund in the wake of the Hanshin Earthquake of 1995.cite news
last = Betros
first = Chris
author-link =
last2 = Nibayashi
first2 = Maki
author2-link =
title = Sizzling Kano sisters step onto the world stage
work = Japan Today
newspaper = Japan Today
pages =
year = 2001
date = 15 October 2001
url =http://www.japantoday.com/news/jp/e/tools/print.asp?content=newsmaker&id=25
accessdate = 2008-01-18
language = English]
*Both of the Kano Sisters appeared on the UK BBC Three television show Adam and Joe Go Tokyo . The Sisters were part of stunt in which presenters Adam Buxton and Joe Cornish tried to become famous in Japan by going on a pretend date with the famous sisters to try and get noticed by the media.
*Made a guest appearance in animated form in the 2008 revival of the Yattaman anime series.
*In 2000, the 20th Century Fox video entertainment unit anointed the Kano sisters Japan's most likely Bond girls.cite news
last = Strom
first = Stephanie
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title = Confident and Racy, Mysterious 'Sisters' Hypnotize Japan
work = The New York Times
newspaper = The New York Times
pages = 2
year = 2001
date = 20 February 2001
url =http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A02E4DE1F30F933A15751C0A9679C8B63&scp=1&sq=Confident+and+Racy%2C+Mysterious+%27Sisters%27+Hypnotize+Japan
accessdate=2008-01-17
language = English ]
*Vanity Fair listed them in its "In & Out" column (Kano sisters "in," Hilton heiresses "out").
*The Japan Times listed them in its "Gongs and Goofs of 2002" column (Kabira Brothers "The In Crowd," Kano sisters "The Out Crowd").cite news
last = Brasor
first = Philip
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title = You saw it! The gongs and goofs of 2002
work = The Japan Times Online
newspaper = The Japan Times Online
pages =
year = 2003
date = 5 January 2003
url =http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fd20030105pb.html
accessdate= 2008-01-17
language = English]

Bibliography

Kyoko Kano

*cite book
first = | last =
author-link =
title = Millennium Muse
place = Tokyo
publisher = Gentosha
year = 2000
doi =
isbn = 4-87728-347-1
language = Japanese

*cite book
first = | last =
author-link =
title = Toriorizumu
place = Tokyo
publisher = Shogakkan
year = 2006
doi =
isbn = 4-09-396471-8
language = Japanese

*cite book
first = | last =
author-link =
title = Super Beauty: Love & Sex
place = Tokyo
publisher = Shogakkan
year = 2007
doi =
isbn = 978-4-09-379748-1
language = Japanese

Notes

Further reading

*cite news |first=Thomas|last=Dillon|title=What a pair they are: When East Marries West|url=http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20020818td.html|work=The Japan Times Online|date=18 August 2002|accessdate=2007-01-17|language=English
*
*
*
*
*

ee also

* List of Japanese celebrities
* List of Japanese people

External links

*ja icon [http://www.ponycanyon.co.jp/asianbeauties/ Official website]
*
*
*
* [http://www.japan-zone.com/modern/kano_shimai.shtml Kanō sisters] at Japan Zone.