Kaori Yamaguchi is the real-life Japanese judoka who served as the primary model for the fictional protagonist Yawara Inokuma in the anime and manga series Yawara!. Born on December 28, 1964, in Toshima, Tokyo, her career as a competitor directly inspired many elements of the story.

In the world of judo, Kaori Yamaguchi established herself as an exceptionally talented and dominant athlete. She won the All-Japan Judo Championships for ten consecutive years from 1978 to 1987, securing titles in both the 50 kilogram and 52 kilogram divisions. Her success extended to the world stage, where she earned her first medal at the 1980 World Judo Championships and went on to accumulate four silver medals and one gold medal at the World Championships over her career. At the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, she won a bronze medal in the 52 kilogram division during a period when women's judo was featured as a demonstration sport.

Drawing from this remarkable athletic foundation, the character Yawara Inokuma shares Yamaguchis extraordinary talent and is portrayed as a young woman with invincible judo skills due to her natural aptitude and relentless training under her grandfather. However, where the real Yamaguchi pursued a long and successful competitive career, the character of Yawara is initially reluctant, desiring a normal life and resenting the pressure placed upon her to excel in the sport. The real Kaori Yamaguchi retired from competitive judo in 1989 after graduating from the University of Tsukuba. Following her retirement, she transitioned into academia, working as an instructor at Musashi University and the University of Tsukuba, where she eventually became an associate professor.

In a direct connection to the series, Kaori Yamaguchi herself makes a cameo appearance in the anime film version of Yawara!. Her legacy as a champion in the early days of womens judo is directly responsible for the core premise and the physical prowess displayed by the central character in the story.