Who Are The Essential Japanese Authors?

I love the classics, mainly Russian as of right now, and I realised I haven't read any of the Japanese classics. I would love some advice on where to start, and what author or work has had the most impact and is generally considered necessary to read. Just as Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Pushkin, Chekov, Bulgakov, Gogol, and Nabkov are essential and praised Russian writers, I'd love to know the Japanese equivalent.

Thanks in advance!