nogi

Nogi is a Japanese surname and toponym written with the kanji 乃木. It appears in various contexts in Japan, including personal names and place names, and has become known internationally mainly through historical figures and popular culture.

In people, the best-known bearer is Nogi Maresuke (乃木希典, 1849–1912), a general of the Imperial Japanese Army who played a prominent role in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including the Russo-Japanese War. The surname is still encountered in Japan today, carried by individuals unrelated to the historical figure.

In geography, Nogizaka is a district in Tokyo’s Minato ward. The area is associated with a hillside origin, and the name literally evokes “Nogi hill.” Nogizaka Station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line serves the district, and the name Nogizaka has entered wider usage in media and pop culture due to its association with the area.

In popular culture, Nogizaka46 is a Japanese idol girl group formed in 2011. Named after the Nogizaka area, the group has become a prominent figure in the Japanese pop-idol scene. The term “Nogi” is sometimes used informally by fans to refer to the group or its members.

In sport, no-gi (often written as nogi) refers to a form of submission grappling practiced without the traditional gi or kimono. It is common in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and other grappling arts and emphasizes different grips and rules compared with gi competition.