Harumi Kurihara

Quick Facts: Who was Harumi Kurihara?

Subject:

Harumi Kurihara

Known for:

Celebrity homemaker known as the "Martha Stewart of Japan" for her accessible home cooking.

Born:

1947-03-05

Century / Era:

1947s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Harumi Kurihara (栗原 はるみ, Kurihara Harumi; born March 5, 1947) is a celebrity homemaker and television personality in Japan. Kurihara has often been called the "Martha Stewart of Japan", and has enjoyed popularity there for over twenty years. She is the host of numerous television shows, author of Suteki Recipe, a quarterly recipe magazine which has sold 5 million copies, as well as over 20 bestselling cookbooks and style magazines, has a line of cookware named after her, and owns a chain of stores. Her homemaking empire is named Yutori no Kukan, which means "a space to relax".

Career & Major Achievements

She has had sponsorship deals with companies such as P&G, Shiseido, 3M, Takara Distillers and Nissan. She was born in Shimoda, a coastal city, and never had professional training as a chef. She is therefore known for satisfying home cooking. In particular her cuisine is known for combining traditional and newer Western influences, while accounting for the real-world time constraints of a housewife.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

She is married to Reiji Kurihara, a former television newsanchor, who originally encouraged her to begin her television career, and is now president of Yutori no Kukan. Harumi's first cookbook was Gochisōsama Ga Kikitakute!, which translates to "I want to hear you say: 'I'm all finished and that was great!'". Harumi's first major cookbook published in English was Harumi's Japanese Cooking, which in 2004 was awarded the best cookbook of the year (and the best world Asian cuisine book) at the 10th Gourmand World Cookbook Awards, and was selected from a pool of 5000 cookbooks from 67 countries.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1947 (1947-03-05): Birth of Harumi Kurihara — Celebrity homemaker known as the "Martha Stewart of Japan" for her accessible home cooking.
2. 2004: 2004 Milestone — Harumi's first major cookbook published in English was Harumi's Japanese Cooking, which in 2004 was awarded the best cookbook of the year (and the best world Asian cuisine book) at the 10th Gourmand World Cookbook Awards, and was selected from a pool of 5000 cookbooks from 67 countries.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Harumi Kurihara

True or False: “Harumi Kurihara's initial culinary focus was on complex, gourmet French cuisine techniques.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Her cooking style is specifically noted for combining traditional Japanese elements with newer Western influences while remaining practical for a housewife.

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• Allan Nevins — Shared historical date (03-05 · Died) (1971): Pioneering American historian known for Civil War studies and business history.
• 1947 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1947
• March 5 (03-05) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on March 5

Frequently Asked Questions about Harumi Kurihara