Watanabe (渡辺 and other variants) is a Japanese surname derived from the noble and samurai Watanabe clan, a branch of the Minamoto clan, descending from the Emperor Saga (786-842), the 52nd Emperor of Japan, and refers to a location called 'Watanabe no tsu' which was settled by the Watanabe clan, who took the name of the place. It was located in the medieval period near the mouth of the Yodogawa River in Settsu Province, in present-day city of Osaka.
History
Origin
The surname Watanabe comes from the Watanabe clan founded by Watanabe no Tsuna (953-1025), of the Saga Genji branch of the Minamoto clan, and his official name was Minamoto no Tsuna. He established the Watanabe branch of the Minamoto clan, taking the name from his stronghold at Watanabe no tsu, a port on the Yodogawa River in Settsu Province, and in 1020 he was appointed Tango no Kami (Governor of Tango Province). He was the son of Minamoto no Atsuru (933-953), married to a daughter of the Chinjufu-shōgun (Commander in chief of the defense of the north) Minamoto no Mitsunaka (912-997); he was the grandson of Minamoto no Tsuko (891-942), Musashi no Kami (Governor of Musashi province); was the great-grandson of Minamoto no Noboru (848-918), Dainagon (Chief Councilor of State); great-great-grandson of Minamoto no Tōru (822-895), Sadaijin (Minister of the Left); and was the great-great-great-grandson of the Emperor Saga (786-842), the 52nd Emperor of Japan. He was the stepgrandson of the Chinjufu-shōgun Minamoto no Mitsunaka, a descendant of the Emperor Seiwa (850-881), and having lost his father the year of his birth, he was adopted by Minamoto no Atsushi, a descendant of the Emperor Ninmyō (808-850), and son in law of Mitsunaka. He was companion in arms to his stepuncle Minamoto no Yorimitsu (944–1021), son of Mitsunaka; and is famous for his military exploits in a number of tales and legends. He is known as one of the Four Guardian Kings (Shitennō) of Yorimitsu, referring to the Buddhist Four Heavenly Kings.
Heian period to the Genpei war
Watanabe no Den, great-grandson of Tsuna, received from the Emperor Shirakawa (1053-1129) the hereditary title of Shokan (Governing officer) of the huge Oe no Mikuriya estate, and in Kyoto he inherited the military charges of Takiguchi no musha (Takiguchi warriors Guards of the Imperial Palace), as well as Emonfu (Government office of the Outer Palace Gate Guards) and Hyoefu (Administrative office of Middle Palace Guards).
Dominating Settsu Province as a focal area of maritime transportation in medieval Japan, the Watanabe family spread its influence widely. Their descendants settled in other areas, including Kyushu.
Watanabe Hisashi (1064-1148 or 1154), also called Minamoto no Hisashi, great-grandson of Tsuna, was appointed Kebiishi (Chief of the police and justice), received the title of Shokan (Governing officer) of Uno no Mikuriya estate in Matsuura (Hizen province, in Kyushu) and called himself Matsuura Hisashi. He ruled the County of Matsuura, the province of Iki, and a part of Sonogi district, and is the ancestor of the Matsuura Watanabe branch, Lords of Hirado castle.
The priest Mongaku Shōnin who urged Minamoto no Yoritomo (1147–1199) to start a war against the Taira, and who managed to get a letter from the Emperor Go-Shirakawa (1127–1192) to Yoritomo, requesting that he set up an army and liberate the country from the tyranny of the Taira, which enabled the Minamoto clan to take up arms, was the son of Watanabe no Endo Mochito.
During the Hōgen rebellion (1156), and the Genpei War (1180–1185), the Watanabe sided with Minamoto no Yorimasa (1106–1180), until his death at the Battle of Uji, then with Minamoto no Yoritomo.
At the Battle of Uji (1180), the opening battle of the Genpei War, the Watanabe clan formed with the warrior monks of Miidera Temple most of the Minamoto clan army.
The Heike Monogatari describes some of the Watanabe samurai present at this battle :
Watanabe Choshichi Tonō : "He was attired that day in a samurai clothing of light green, and body armour ornamented with cherry blossoms on a yellow ground, and wore a sword with mounts of red copper; in his quiver he carried twenty four arrows feathered with white and under his arm was a bow lacquered in black and bound with red bands".
Watanabe no Kiō : "clad in a brocaded hunting suit profusely embroidered with chrysanthemums, and wearing a general's armour of scarlet; its name was Kisenaga, and it had been a treasured heirloom for many generations. On his head was a helmet shining with silver stars, and a splendid sword hung at his side. In his quiver were twenty four arrows barred with black on their white feathers, not to speak of the special arrow, feathered with a hawk's wing, always carried by the Imperial Guards of the Takiguchi. His bow was a 'shigeto' of black lacquer with red binding. He rode on (the horse named) Nanryo, while one of his servants followed with a remount and another bore his shield under his arm".
Both were killed in battle. Were also present that day from the Watanabe clan : Minamoto no Sazuku, Minamoto no Tsuranu, Watanabe Habuku, Minamoto no Okoru, and others, who fought to death and were killed fighting against the Taira.
The Watanabe had a powerful navy, and in 1185 they sent their navy ships to support the Minamoto cause.
In February 1185, the Minamoto army of Minamoto no Yoshitsune, brother of Yoritomo, stayed at Watanabe no tsu, in the lands of the Watanabe clan, to rest, gather troops, army provisions, and prepare a fleet of ships for the raid in Shikoku.
At the Battle of Yashima (March 1185) the Watanabe horsemen proved to be decisive, and due to the fall of Yashima, the Taira clan lost their bases in Shikoku.
At the Battle of Dan-no-ura (April 1185), when the Dowager Empress Kenrei-mon-In, daughter of Taira no Kiyomori, tried to drown herself, she was pulled out by the samurai Watanabe no Mutsuru.
Kamakura to Muromachi periods
After the Genpei war, the Matsuura Watanabe received the additional titles of Gokenin (Direct Retainer of the Shogunate), and of Jitō (Military Governor). During the Mongol invasions (1274 and 1281), the Matsuura Watanabe fought fiercely to repel the invaders. Sashibo, the Soryo (Heir) of the Matsuura Watanabe and his cousin Yamashiro Kai, from the Yamashiro Watanabe branch descending from Oi, sixth son of Watanabe Hisashi, were killed in battle fighting against the Mongols.
The Kamachi were direct descendants of Minamoto no Noboru (848-918), like their cousins of the Watanabe clan, and had the titles of Shokan (Governing officer) of Kanzaki no shō estate (Hizen province), of Gokenin, of Jitō (Military Governor) of the County of Mizuma (Chikugo province), and held the court rank of Kizoku (Officer). Minamoto no Hisanao, son of Watanabe Hisashi, was 'Uhyoe no jo' (Officer of the guards of the Middle Palace), and owner of Mikuriya no shō estate. After the Jōkyū War (1221), Hisanao's son, Minamoto no Sanen, was adopted by the Kamachi as their son in law to succeed their estates and titles; he changed his name to Kamachi, and was the founder of the Kamachi Watanabe branch, Lords of Kamachi castle. At the time of the Mongol invasions, Morohisa went to the front as a member of the Matsuura Watanabe clan.
In 1235, the Watanabe clan received from the Kamakura shogunate the responsibility of overseeing large shipments of tax and tributes due the shogunate from the provinces of western and central Japan
During the period of the Northern and Southern Courts (1336-1392), the Matsuura Watanabe sided with the Northern Court, and fought at the Battle of Chikugogawa (1359). The Kamachi Watanabe sided with the Southern Court, and Takehisa was killed at the Battle of Tatarahama (1336).
Watanabe Mochi, descendant of Watanabe no Tsuna, rendered distinguished military service to the Shogun Ashikaga Takauji (1305-1358), and was granted the title of Jitō (Military Governor) of Yamada no shō territory (Bingo Province). He is the ancestor of the Yamada Watanabe branch, Lords of Ichijoyama castle, who owned the whole area of the Peninsula of Numakuma. During the Ōnin War (1467-1477), they sided with the Eastern camp. They were treated by the Ashikaga Shoguns as equal to a Shugo (Governor of province), and were allowed to use the 'Shirokasabukuro' and 'Mosen kuraoi' seals allowed only to the Shugo in the Muromachi period.
Sengoku period
During the 16th century wars, the following Watanabe samurai distinguished themselves :
Watanabe Tōru († 1543), also called Kayo, descendant of the Matsuura Watanabe, was the son of Watanabe Suguru († 1524), Lord of Nagamiyama castle, and was a General of Mōri Motonari. In 1540, at the Battle of Yoshida-Koriyama, he was the Commander of a detached force, attacked a much larger army and defeated Amago Sanehisa's army. In 1543, at the Battle of Gassan-Toda, he was killed in a fierce battle in place of Motonari. After that the Mōri clan continued to give important posts to the Watanabe family, and the Watanabe clan members were honored at the head of the Choshu Mōri Domain's New Year's Kachu-kaiki ceremony for generations.
Watanabe Hajime (1534-1612), son of Watanabe Tōru, fought at the Battle of Kanbe (1548), against the Hiraga clan of Takayatozaki castle (1551), against the Miya clan of Takiyama castle (1552), at Miyajima (1555) and Moji (1561). In 1586, he took part in the invasion of Kyushu, and in 1588, he went to Kyoto with Mōri Terumoto, and received from Toyotomi Hideyoshi the title of Hida no kami (Governor of Hida Province). He is listed as one of the eighteen Generals of the Mōri.
Watanabe Tadasu († 1615) was a descendant of the Matsuura Watanabe, and a retainer of the Toyotomi clan. He took a part in the Battle of Dōmyōji (1615), in the Battle of Tennōji (1615), and died at the Siege of Osaka castle (1615).
Watanabe Motoharu, of the Yamada Watanabe branch, Jitō (Military Governor) of Yamada, Lord of Ichijoyama castle, was a direct retainer of the Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiaki (1537-1597). At the Battle of Sekigahara, he fought against Tokugawa Ieyasu. After that his family was deprived of their fiefs.
The Matsuura Watanabe of Izumi, were Shugodai (vice-Governors) of Izumi province and Lords of Kishiwada Castle. In 1527, they were involved in the administration of Izumi province as Shugodai, and in 1548 they sided with the Miyoshi clan . However when Magohachiro succeeded his father, he was still a child, and the Miyoshi while recognizing his position, sent their troops in Kishiwada Castle to protect the young lord. In 1562, Tora became Lord of Kishiwada with the aid of the Miyoshi army, but the Lordship changed again to his cousin Magohachiro, also called Hikaru, who later became Hizen no kami (Governor of Hizen Province). In 1585, Munekiyo with Nakamura Kazuuji and 8,000 men were besieged by 30,000 men (Battle of Kishiwada), and the castle was rebuilt as the base of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's conquest of Kishu. For his military achievement, Munekiyo was given additional territories and transferred to Ise Province. Hisanobu, also called Hideto, was Lord of Ise Iyo castle, Iyo no Kami (Governor of Iyo province), and the General of the gun division of Toyotomi Hideyoshi; during the Sekigahara campaign, he was killed at the Battle of Anotsu (1600). At the Battle of Sekigahara (1600), they sided against the Tokugawa, and were deprived of their fiefs.
Watanabe Moritsuna (1542–1620), descended from the Matsuura Watanabe, through Watanabe Yasushi, grandson of Matsuura Hisashi, great-grandson of Watanabe no Tsuna. His ancestors were direct retainers of the Ashikaga Shoguns, and later moved to Mikawa province, thence they were called the Mikawa Watanabe branch. He joined Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1557, and fought at the Battles of Yawata (1562), Anegawa (1570), Mikatagahara (1573), Nagashino (1575), Komaki and Nagakute (1584), and the Siege of Osaka (1614-1615). He is listed as one of the sixteen Generals of Tokugawa Ieyasu. He was the Lord of Terabe castle, General of the Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543-1616), and is the ancestor of the Hakata Watanabe branch, Lords of Hakata, and the Hanzo Watanabe branch, Lords of Terabe, and Hida no Kami (Governors of Hida province).
Edo period to the Meiji Restoration
Besides the mainstream of Watanabe, the Matsuura branch, had the title of Daimyō (Grand feudal Lords) of Hirado Domain (Hizen Province) until 1868, were the most famous and flourished branch, and had a revenue of 61,700 koku. The territories of the Lords of Hirado included the Province of Iki (with the County of Iki (11 villages), and the County of Ishida (11 villages)); in the Province of Hizen : the County of Matsuura (47 villages), and 7 villages in the County of Sonogi.
The Matsuura Watanabe of Hirado Shinden, Daimyō of Hirado Shinden Domain (Hizen Province) until 1868, descending from the fourth Lord of Hirado, was given 10,000 koku, and established a branch domain.
The Hakata Watanabe branch, were Daimyō (Grand feudal Lords) of Hakata Domain (Izumi Province) until the Meiji Restoration (1868), had a revenue of 13,500 koku, and descend from Watanabe Yoshitsuna (1611-1668), who was appointed Sobayonin (Grand Chamberlain) by Tokugawa Ietsuna (1651–1680), the 4th Tokugawa Shogun, and was the grandson of Moritsuna. The territories of the Lords of Hakata included in the Province of Izumi : 12 villages in the County of Otori, 4 villages in the County of Izumi; in the Province of Kawachi : 5 villages in the County of Furuichi, 5 villages in the County of Shiki, and 2 villages in the County of Tanboku; in the Province of Omi : 1 village in the County of Kurita, 2 villages in the County of Yasu, 2 villages in the County of Gamo, and 6 villages in the County of Takashima.
The Hanzo Watanabe branch, descending from Watanabe Shigetsuna (1574-1648), son of Moritsuna, were lords of Terabe estate, Hida no Kami (Governors of Hida province), Karō (Chief retainers) of the Owari Tokugawa, and had a revenue of 10,000 koku. After 1868, they were raised to the Peerage.
The Watanabe of Ōmura (Hizen Province) were ranked among the Peers after 1868.
The Watanabe of Suwa (Shinano Province) were also raised to the Peerage after 1868.
Several Watanabe samurai had the title of Taishin (Grand) Hatamoto (Guardians of the Banner), the last rank before Daimyo, direct retainers of the Shogunate, high ranking samurai, and senior retainers of the Tokugawa Shoguns and their principal branches, like the descendants of :
Watanabe Terutsuna, Noto no Kami (Governor of Noto province), and Taishin Hatamoto with a revenue of 6,000 koku.
Watanabe Zonosuke, a Taishin Hatamoto.
Watanabe Shinzaemon, younger brother of Moritsuna, and ancestor of the Shinzaemon Watanabe branch, senior retainers of the Owari Tokugawa. His descendant, Watanabe Aritsuna (1820-1868), was the Commander of the Owari Tokugawa army; he fought at the first Choshu war (1864), the second Choshu war (1865), and was killed in 1868.
Watanabe Tozutsuna, Karō (Chief retainer) of the Tayasu Tokugawa, and of the Hitotsubashi Tokugawa.
Watanabe Naotsuna, Wakasa no Kami (Governor of Wakasa province), had a revenue of 8,000 koku, and was the founder of the Wakasa Watanabe branch, Karō (Chief retainers) of the Kishū Tokugawa.
Gallery
Miscellaneous
渡辺, means ‘to cross over a river’. Even by the standards of Japanese names, there is an unusual degree of variation in the second kanji used to write Watanabe, with at least 51 recorded variants including the common 渡部, 渡邉 and 渡邊.
According to the 'Japanese Family Names and Family Crests', the surname Watanabe is a toponymic surname (and never an occupational surname). In Japan, there are very few occupational surnames, and unlike in several european countries, in Japan, occupational surnames are the exceptions. The surname Watanabe is not considered one of these very few occupational exceptions. A basic translation of the name of the original village 渡辺 is ‘to cross over a river’, and sometimes people mistakenly write that the Watanabe are 'river crossers' which is incorrect.
The location called 'Watanabe no tsu' was located between Tenmabashi Station and Tenjinbashi Station, in the present day Osaka City.
Watanabe no Tsuna took charge of Zama jinja Temple, also called Ikasuri Shrine. The hereditary guji (chief priest) of the temple were descending from Watanabe Kaoru, descendant of Watanabe no Tsuna. The original site of the shrine was different from the current one, and the main hall was in the place where Watanabe no tsu used to be. Toyotomi Hideyoshi relocated to its current location near Nishiyokoborikawa River, at the address 3 Watanabe, 4-chome Watanabe, Kyutaromachi, Chuo Ward, Osaka City.
It is the fifth most common Japanese surname.
In the context of the Japanese economy, Mrs. Watanabe is a generic name for housewives who deal in foreign exchange.
People with the surname
A
Akane Watanabe (渡邉 あかね, born 1994), Japanese badminton player
Akeno Watanabe (渡辺 明乃, born 1982), Japanese voice actress
Akeo Watanabe (渡邉 暁雄, 1919–1990), Japanese composer
Akio Watanabe (渡辺 明夫, born 1969), Japanese animator
Akira Watanabe (art director) (渡辺 明, 1908–1999), Japanese special effects art director
Akira Watanabe (motorcyclist) (渡辺 明, born 1954), Japanese motocross racer
Akira Watanabe (Scouting) (渡辺 昭, 1901–2005), Japanese Scouting leader
Akira Watanabe (shogi) (渡辺 明, born 1984), Japanese shogi player
Anne Watanabe (渡辺 杏, born 1986), Japanese model, actress and singer
Asako Watanabe (渡辺 麻子, born 1959), Japanese sprint canoeist
Atsushi Watanabe (politician) (渡部 篤, born 1952), Japanese politician
Atsushi Watanabe (actor, born 1898) (渡辺 篤, 1898–1977), Japanese actor
Atsushi Watanabe (actor, born 1947) (渡辺 篤史), Japanese actor
Atsuo Watanabe (渡辺 敦夫, born 1974), Japanese footballer
Ayako Watanabe (渡辺 绫子, 1937–1970), Japanese murder victim
Ayumu Watanabe (渡辺 歩, born 1966), Japanese anime director
Azusa Watanabe (渡辺 梓, born 1969), Japanese actress
C
Chiho Watanabe (渡辺 千穂, born 1972), Japanese screenwriter
Chikako Watanabe (渡辺 愛子), vocalist with the Japanese band NaNa
Chitetsu Watanabe (渡邉 智哲, born 1907), Japanese supercentenarian
Corinne Watanabe (born 1950), American judge
D
Daigo Watanabe (渡邉 大剛, born 1984), Japanese footballer
Daisuke Watanabe (渡辺 大祐, born 1974), Japanese video game writer
Daisuke Watanabe (actor) (渡辺 大輔, born 1982), Japanese actor
Daisuke Watanabe (long jumper) (渡辺 大輔, born 1975), Japanese long jumper
E
Emi Watanabe (渡部 絵美, born 1959), Japanese figure skater
Eri Watanabe (渡辺 えり子, born 1955), Japanese actress
G
Gedde Watanabe (born 1955), American actor and comedian
Graham Watanabe (born 1982), American snowboarder
Greg Watanabe (born 1967), American actor
H
Hajime Watanabe (disambiguation), multiple people
Haruto Watanabe (渡辺温斗, 2004), Member of Treasure, K-Pop group from YG Entertainment
Hamako Watanabe (渡辺 はま子, 1910–1999), Japanese singer
Haruka Watanabe (渡邉 はる香, born 1972), Japanese ice hockey player
Hazuki Watanabe (渡辺 はずき, born 2004), Japanese artistic gymnast
Hideo Watanabe (渡辺 秀央, born 1934), Japanese politician
Hidetoyo Watanabe (渡邉 英豊, born 1971), Japanese footballer
Hirobumi Watanabe (渡辺 紘文, born 1982), Japanese film director
Hirofumi Watanabe (渡部 博文, born 1987), Japanese footballer
Hiroki Watanabe (渡辺 宏樹, born 1988), Japanese sprint canoeist
Hiromichi Watanabe (渡辺 博道, born 1950), Japanese politician
Hiromu Watanabe (渡辺 大夢, born 1988), Japanese shogi player
Hiroshi Watanabe (animator) (わたなべ ひろし), Japanese animation director
Hiroshi Watanabe (equestrian) (渡辺 弘, born 1947), Japanese equestrian
Hiroshi Watanabe (photographer) (渡邉 博史, born 1951), Japanese photographer
Hiroshi Watanabe (weightlifter) (渡辺 博, born 1967), Japanese weightlifter
Hiroyuki Watanabe (渡辺 裕之, 1955-2022), Japanese actor
Hisanobu Watanabe (渡辺 久信, born 1965), Japanese baseball player and manager
Hitomi Watanabe (渡辺 眸, born 1939), Japanese photographer
Hyuga Watanabe (渡辺 陽向, born 1994), Japanese motorcycle racer
I
Ippei Watanabe (footballer) (渡辺 一平, born 1969), Japanese footballer
Ippei Watanabe (swimmer) (渡辺 一平, born 1997), Japanese swimmer
J
Jin Watanabe (handball player) (渡部 仁, born 1990), Japanese handball player
Jiro Watanabe (渡辺 二郎, born 1955), Japanese boxer and yakuza
Jolene Watanabe (born 1968), American tennis player
José Watanabe (1946–2007), Peruvian poet
Jōtarō Watanabe (渡辺 錠太郎, 1874–1936), Japanese general
Jun Watanabe (actor) (渡辺 淳, born 1982), Japanese actor
Jun Watanabe (architect) (渡辺 純, born 1954), Japanese architect
Junichi Watanabe (渡辺 淳一, 1933–2014), Japanese writer
Junichi Watanabe (footballer) (渡辺 淳一, born 1973), Japanese footballer
Junji Watanabe (渡部 惇二, born 1944), Japanese boxer
Junya Watanabe (渡辺 淳弥, born 1961), Japanese fashion designer
K
Kaichi Watanabe (渡邊 嘉一, 1858–1932), Japanese engineer
Kanako Watanabe (渡部 香生子, born 1996), Japanese swimmer
Kanendo Watanabe (渡辺 兼人, born 1947), Japanese photographer
Katei Watanabe (渡辺 霞亭, 1884–1926), Japanese writer
Kathy Watanabe, American politician
Katsuaki Watanabe (渡辺 捷昭, born 1943), President of Toyota Motor Corporation
Katsuji Watanabe (渡辺 勝治, born 1940), Japanese boxer
Katsumi Watanabe (渡部 勝美), Japanese baseball player
Kazan Watanabe (渡辺 崋山, 1793–1841), Japanese painter, scholar and statesman
Kazuhisa Watanabe (渡邉 一久, born 1983), Japanese boxer, kickboxer and mixed martial artist
Kazuhito Watanabe (渡邊 一仁, born 1986), Japanese footballer
Kazuki Watanabe (disambiguation)
Kazuko Watanabe (渡辺 和子, 1927–2016), Japanese Roman Catholic nun, educator and writer
Kazuma Watanabe (渡邉 千真, born 1986), Japanese footballer
Kazuma Watanabe (motorcycle racer) (渡辺 一馬, born 1990), Japanese motorcycle racer
Kazumi Watanabe (渡辺 香津美, born 1953), Japanese musician
Kazumi Watanabe (athlete) (渡辺 和己, 1935-2022), Japanese long-distance runner
Kazumi Watanabe (sport shooter) (渡辺 和三, 1947–1996), Japanese sport shooter
Kazunari Watanabe (渡邉 一成, born 1983), Japanese cyclist
Kazuo Watanabe (渡辺 和夫, born 1938), Japanese swimmer
Kazuro Watanabe (渡辺 和郎, born 1955), Japanese amateur astronomer and discoverer of minor planets
Kazutami Watanabe (渡邊 一民, 1932–2013), Japanese scholar and translator
Keiji Watanabe (渡邊 圭二, born 1985), Japanese footballer
Keiko Watanabe (渡部 恵子, born 1987), Japanese voice actress
Keita Watanabe (渡辺 啓太, born 1992), Japanese speed skater
Ken Watanabe (渡辺 謙, born 1959), Japanese actor
Kiiko Watanabe, Japanese table tennis player
Kiyomi Watanabe (渡辺 聖未, born 1996), Japanese-Filipino judoka
Kodai Watanabe (渡辺 広大, born 1986), Japanese footballer
Koji Watanabe (渡邊 康二, born 1942), Japanese tennis player
Koki Watanabe (渡邉 航貴, born 1999), Japanese badminton player
Konomi Watanabe (渡邉 このみ, born 2006), Japanese actress and television personality
Kota Watanabe (渡辺 皓太, born 1998), Japanese footballer
Kota Watanabe (field hockey) (渡辺 晃大, born 1996), Japanese field hockey player
Kozo Watanabe (disambiguation), multiple people
Kumiko Watanabe (渡辺 久美子, born 1965), Japanese voice actress
Kunitake Watanabe (渡辺 国武, 1846–1919), Japanese politician
L
Lui Watanabe (渡部 累, born 1983), Japanese beauty pageant winner
M
Makiko Watanabe (渡辺 真起子, born 1968), Japanese actress
Makoto Watanabe (disambiguation), multiple people
Makoto Sei Watanabe (born 1952), Japanese architect
Mamoru Watanabe (渡辺 護, 1931–2013), Japanese film director, screenwriter and actor
Manabu Watanabe (渡部 学, born 1986), Japanese footballer
Mana Watanabe (渡部 愛, born 1993), Japanese shogi player
Manami Watanabe (渡辺 愛未, born 1986), Japanese singer
Marina Watanabe (渡辺 満里奈, born 1970), Japanese singer, actress and television personality
Masakazu Watanabe (渡辺 正和, born 1986), Japanese shogi player
Masaki Watanabe (1911–1995), Japanese orthopedic surgeon
Masaki Watanabe (footballer) (渡邉 将基, born 1986), Japanese footballer
Masako Watanabe (わたなべ まさこ, born 1929), Japanese manga artist
Masanosuke Watanabe (渡辺 政之輔, 1899–1928), Japanese communist
Masao Watanabe (渡辺 正夫, 1888–1950), Japanese general
Masashi Watanabe (渡辺 正, 1936–1995), Japanese footballer and manager
Masato Watanabe (渡辺 正人, born 1979), Japanese baseball player
Masayoshi Watanabe (渡邉 正義, born 1954), Japanese chemist
Matasaburō Watanabe (渡辺 又三郎, 1850–1910), Japanese politician
Mayu Watanabe (渡辺 麻友, born 1994), Japanese singer, actress and idol
Mayuko Watanabe (渡辺 真由子, born 1975), Japanese journalist and media scholar
Mayumi Watanabe (渡辺 真弓, born 1983), Japanese sprinter
Michiaki Watanabe (渡辺 宙明, 1925–2022), Japanese composer
Michio Watanabe (渡辺 美智雄, 1923–1995), Japanese politician
Miho Watanabe (渡辺 美保, born 2000), Japanese musician and actress
Miki Watanabe (渡邉 美樹, born 1959), Japanese businessman and politician
Mina Watanabe (渡邉 美奈, born 1985), Japanese judoka
Minayo Watanabe (渡辺 美奈代, born 1969), Japanese idol and singer
Minoru Watanabe (渡辺 実, born 1962), Japanese actor
Misa Watanabe (渡辺 美佐, born 1964), Japanese voice actress
Misako Watanabe (渡辺 美佐子, bron 1932), Japanese actress
Misato Watanabe (渡辺 美里, born 1966), Japanese singer
Mitsuki Watanabe (渡邉 三城, born 1987), Japanese footballer
Mitsuteru Watanabe (渡辺 光輝, born 1974), Japanese footballer
Miyuki Watanabe (渡辺 美優紀, born 1993), Japanese singer, actress and idol
Morinari Watanabe (渡邊守成) born 1959, president of the International Gymnastics Federation
Moritsuna Watanabe (渡辺 守綱, 1542–1620), Japanese samurai
Mutsuhiro Watanabe (渡辺睦弘, 1918-2003), Japanese War Criminal
N
Nao Watanabe (渡邊 奈央), Japanese singer
Naoko Watanabe (disambiguation), multiple people
Naomi Watanabe (渡辺 直美, born 1987), Japanese actress and comedian
Naoto Watanabe (渡辺 直人, born 1980), Japanese baseball player
Natsuhiko Watanabe (渡辺 夏彦, born 1995), Japanese footballer
Natsuna Watanabe (渡辺 夏菜, born 1989), Japanese actress and model
Noriko Watanabe (渡辺 典子, born 1965), Japanese actress
Nozomi Watanabe (渡辺 心, born 1971), Japanese ice dancer
O
On Watanabe (渡辺 温, 1902–1930), Japanese writer
Osamu Watanabe (渡辺 長武, born 1940), Japanese sport wrestler
R
Rika Watanabe (渡辺 梨加, born 1995), Japanese idol and model
Risa Watanabe (渡邉 理佐, born 1998), Japanese idol and model
Ryo Watanabe (disambiguation), multiple people
Ryoko Watanabe (渡辺 良子, born 1961), Japanese pink film actress
Ryoma Watanabe (渡邊 凌磨, born 1996), Japanese footballer
Ryota Watanabe (渡辺 亮太, born 1991), Japanese footballer
S
Sadao Watanabe (disambiguation), multiple people
Sae Watanabe (渡辺 三重, born 1968), Japanese gymnast
Satomi Watanabe (渡邉 聡美, born 1999), Japanese squash player
Satosi Watanabe (渡辺 慧, 1910-1993), Japanese theoretical physicist
Satoshi Watanabe (beach volleyball) (渡辺 聡, born 1975), Japanese beach volleyball player
Shimon Watanabe (渡邉 志門, born 1990), Japanese footballer
Shinichi Watanabe (渡邊 慎一, born 1964), Japanese anime director and voice actor
Shinichirō Watanabe (渡辺 信一郎, born 1965), Japanese anime director, screenwriter and producer
Shinzo Watanabe (渡辺 信三, born 1935), Japanese mathematician
Shōichi Watanabe (渡部 昇一, 1930-2017), Japanese academic and writer
Shōichi Watanabe (politician) (渡辺 省一, 1930–2000), Japanese politician
Shōtei Watanabe (1851–1918), Japanese painter
Shōzaburō Watanabe (渡辺 庄三郎, 1885–1962), Japanese printmaker
Shu Watanabe (politician) (渡辺 周, born 1961), Japanese politician
Shu Watanabe (actor) (渡部 秀, born 1991), Japanese actor
Shunji Watanabe (born 1938), Japanese karateka
Shunsuke Watanabe (渡辺 俊介, born 1976), Japanese baseball player
Sogo Watanabe (渡辺 奏吾, born 1990), Japanese volleyball player
Sota Watanabe (渡邊 創太, born 2000), Japanese footballer
Sumiko Watanabe (渡辺 すみ子, 1916–2010), Japanese sprinter
Sumio Watanabe (渡辺 澄夫, born 1959), Japanese engineer and mathematician
Susumu Watanabe (渡邉 晋, born 1973), Japanese footballer and manager
Sylvia Watanabe, American writer
T
Tadao Watanabe (渡辺 忠雄, 1898-1980), Japanese politician
Tadashi Watanabe (渡辺 貞, born 1944), Japanese computer engineer
Taeko Watanabe (渡辺 多恵子, born 1960), Japanese manga artist
Takaaki Watanabe (渡辺 高章, born 1987), Japanese professional wrestler best known as Evil
Takahiro Watanabe (渡辺 高博, born 1970), Japanese sprinter
Takamasa Watanabe (渡辺 隆正, born 1977), Japanese footballer
Takao Watanabe (渡辺 孝男, born 1950), Japanese politician
Takashi Watanabe (渡部 高志, born 1957), Japanese anime director
Takehiro Watanabe (skier) (渡部 剛弘, born 1993), Japanese Nordic combined skier
Takehiro Watanabe (table tennis) (渡辺 武弘, born 1961), Japanese table tennis player
Takeo Watanabe (渡辺 岳夫, 1933–1989), Japanese musician and composer
Takeshi Watanabe (disambiguation), multiple people
Taku Watanabe (渡辺 卓, born 1971), Japanese footballer
Takumi Watanabe (渡辺 匠, born 1982), Japanese footballer
Tamae Watanabe (渡辺 玉枝, born 1938), Japanese mountain climber
Tatsuo Watanabe (渡部 龍雄, 1928–2001), Japanese ski jumper
Tatsuya Watanabe (渡邊 達哉, born 1991), Japanese badminton player
Terrance Watanabe (born 1957), American businessman and high roller
Tetsu Watanabe (渡辺 哲, born 1950), Japanese actor
Tokutarō Watanabe, Japanese businessman
Tomoyoshi Watanabe (渡辺 具能, born 1941), Japanese politician
Toshiyuki Watanabe (渡辺 俊幸, born 1955), Japanese musician and composer
Tsukasa Watanabe (渡辺 司, born 1957), Japanese golfer
Watanabe no Tsuna (渡邊 綱, 953–1025), Japanese samurai
Tsuneo Watanabe (渡邉 恒雄, born 1926), Japanese businessman
Tsurugi Watanabe (渡邉 剣, born 1996), Japanese actor and television personality
Tsuyoshi Watanabe (渡辺 剛, born 1997), Japanese footballer
Y
Yanosuke Watanabe (渡邊 彌之助), Japanese footballer
Yasuo Watanabe (渡辺 保夫, born 1944), Japanese sport wrestler
Yasushi Watanabe (渡辺 靖, born 1967), Japanese anthropologist
Yoko Watanabe (渡辺 葉子, 1953–2004), Japanese opera singer
Yoshiaki Watanabe (渡辺 好明, 1955–2009), Japanese artist
Yoshiichi Watanabe (渡辺 由一, born 1954), Japanese footballer
Yoshiko Watanabe (渡辺 佳子), Japanese manga artist, illustrator and animator
Yoshimi Watanabe (渡辺 喜美, born 1952), Japanese politician