Kamifusen (duo) explained

Background:group_or_band
Kamifūsen (Paper Balloon)
紙ふうせん
Origin:Kansai, Japan
Years Active:1974 - present
Current Members:
  • Etsujiroh Gotoh
  • Yasuyo Hirayama

is a Japanese folk duo formed in 1974 by and . The artists were previously part of the Kansai folk group Akaitori (赤い鳥), which was known for its unique sound blending light rock with choral harmonies.[1] Their style is characterized by interpretations of traditional songs with arrangements using contemporary sounds and rhythms. Kamifūsen is active in the Kansai region of Japan and have recorded internationally in Santa Monica, California, and Toronto, Canada.

History

Kamifūsen's music was inspired by Peter, Paul & Mary, who had a strong influence on the 1970s Japanese folk movement. Gotō and Hirayama first formed a duo in 1967, when they were both in the second year of university.[2] As they added more members, they formed Akaitori, which means "red bird", in 1969.

Akaitori

Akaitori was discovered by producer Kunihiko Murai (村井邦彦) after winning the 1969 Yamaha Light Music Contest Grand Prix Award for "Takeda's Lullaby." Making their formal debut in 1970, the folk group became best known for the hit single "Tsubasa wo Kudasai", which became the official song of the Japan Football Association when Japan made its first appearance at the World Cup in France.[3] After disbanding in August 1974, former members formed Kamifūsen, Hi-Fi Set, and Humming Bird.

Kamifūsen (1974 to 1991)

In September 1974, Gotō and Hirayama started Kamifūsen, continuing to perform "Tsubasa wo Kudasai", which became part of the standard choral repertoire in elementary schools. In 1977, Kamifūsen had their first major hit "Before Winter Comes", which became a signature song for the group.[4] The song reached number 4 on the Oricon Singles Chart, with lyrics written by Gotō, and music composed by .[5] [6] [7] [8]

Kamifūsen released nine albums between 1974 and 1986; seven of them were recorded in Japan, while Here With Me was recorded in Santa Monica, California, and Echo Of Love in Toronto, Canada.[9] Here With Me (1984) was produced by Henry Lewy, featuring the original song "Cherry Blossom" written by Peter Yarrow and a Japanese cover version of a Carmine Coppola theme from The Outsiders soundtrack. Echo Of Love (1986) featured musicians from The Anne Murray Band.

TSU-BA-SA

In 1991, Gotō and Hirayama participated as members of TSU-BA-SA, formed by and .[10] After releasing the albums Angel On The Roof (1990) and TIME (1991), they returned to work as Kamifūsen.

Kamifūsen (1993 to present)

Kamifūsen released seven albums from 1993 to present. Live performances included recitals at Osaka Central Public Hall, Osaka Theater Drama City, Osaka Sankei Hall Breeze, and Hyogo Performing Arts Center.[11] [12] In 2019, Kamifūsen held their "45th Anniversary Concert - 50th Anniversary Recital from Red Bird" at Yomiuri Ōtemachi Hall in Tokyo.[13] [14]

Personal

Gotō and Hirayama were classmates at Amagasaki Kita High School in Hyōgo Prefecture. They were reunited after starting university, when they were both interested in traditional songs, and developed a connection.[15] The couple were married at the age of 20 while part of Akaitori.[16]

Hirayama has appeared as a radio show host for several decades.[17] [18] [19] [20] In 2005, Gotō appeared as a lecturer on NHK Educational TV 's Shumi Yūyū (趣味悠々).[21]

Discography

Albums

With TSU-BA-SA

Singles

[22]

Tie-ups

MusicTie-upRecorded work
White Construction Paper (白い画用紙)SHUFUNOTOMO Publishing "Watashi no Baby" 3rd Anniversary Lyric Recruitment Selected WorksSingle "White Construction Paper (白い画用紙)"
On The Wings Of The Wind (風の翼に)NHK Ginga Television Novel Furusato Series "Happiness Station Area & Ueno Station Area" Theme SongSingle "Who Should I Tell... (誰に告げようか…)"
I Was Born (僕は生まれた)Ending theme for Fuji TV's Nissei Family Special Feature Animation "Tondemo Nezumi Daikaku"Single "I Was Born (僕は生まれた)"
Spread Your Wings (翼ひろげて)Theme song for TBS Television (Japan) drama Love Theater "Wagakoyo III"Single "Spread Your Wings (翼ひろげて)"
ECHO OF LOVEMainichi Broadcasting System series drama (nationwide network) "Affair Family" theme songSingle "ECHO OF LOVE"
Times Change (時代は変わる)TV Asahi "JO Kigen" theme song from the morningAlbum TIME
Wedding Anniversary DayNippon Sheet Glass CM song
Give Me Wings (翼をください)Japan Football Association official support songCollaboration single "Give Me Wings (翼をください)"
Rainbow (虹)TV Tokyo "TV Champion" ending themeAlbum Blue Sky and Sea (青空と海)
I Want to Be Like You (あなたの風になりたい)Mainichi Broadcasting System TV drama special "Cynthia ~The story of the birth of a service dog~" ending themeSingle "I Want to Be Like You (あなたの風になりたい)"
[23] [24] [25]

Songs used in NHK "Songs of Ours"

Song titleLyricistComposerProducerPeriod of use
Rape Blossoms (菜の花ばたけ)Yoji UnnoEtsujiroh GotohKatsuhisa HattoriApril-May, 1975
My Paper Balloon (わたしの紙風船)Akira ShimaokaNobuyoshi KoshibeApril-May, 1983
Ho Hi Ho (ホーハイホー)Etsujiroh GotohTetsuya ImadeJune-July, 1999
[26] [27] [28]

References

  1. Web site: November 18, 2019 . 【芸能】紙ふうせん 夫婦デュオ、74年に結成し今も燃えるフォーク魂…結成45周年 /デイリースポーツ online . 2022-08-17 . デイリースポーツ online . ja.
  2. News: 4 November 2004 . 30 Years of Friendship Fork Kamifusen [Osaka] ]. Japanese . Asashi Shimbun evening paper entertainment No.00008 . 7 November 2022.
  3. News: 9 April 1998 . Kamifusen "Tsubasa wo Kudasai" becomes Japan Football Association's cheering song [Osaka] ]. Japanese . Asashi Shimbun evening paper No.00005 YU3 . 7 November 2022.
  4. News: Yamada . Kana . 6 January 2009 . Reconstruction, Gradual Masterpiece Children's "Lyrics", Composed by Kamifusen Goto [Osaka] ]. Japanese . Asashi Shimbun evening paper 2 Society No.00006 . 7 November 2022.
  5. Web site: 西宮・芦屋 地域情報紙 ~な~る Online!~ 地域情報と連携して、身近な「人・モノ・お店」を紹介 . 2022-08-17 . www.narweb.com.
  6. Web site: 第11回放送 特集:男と女の二重唱|歌謡曲リミテッド - KAYOKYOKU LTD. . 2022-08-17 . kayo-limited.info.
  7. Web site: 【1978年1月】冬が来る前に/紙ふうせん ストーブを掃除していたらできたヒット曲 - スポニチ Sponichi Annex 芸能 . 2022-08-17 . スポニチ Sponichi Annex . ja.
  8. Web site: writer . 紙ふうせん / 「冬が来る前に」 ~ 「歌の力とすばらしさを伝える」― 紙ふうせんの歩みは続きます . 2022-11-01 . だいじょうぶ ドットコム . ja.
  9. Web site: Kamifusen Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More . 2022-08-17 . AllMusic . en.
  10. Web site: 昔のyosy . 2022-08-17 . www6.big.or.jp.
  11. Web site: 紙ふうせん 兵庫・芸文センターでリサイタル アフターコロナの未来を歌う . 2022-11-01 . 毎日新聞 . ja.
  12. Web site: 紙ふうせんプロフィール . 2022-08-17 . orange.zero.jp.
  13. Web site: 紙ふうせん 45th Anniversary Concert in Tokyo . 2022-08-17 . orange.zero.jp.
  14. Web site: 45周年・紙ふうせん「希望の歌を共に」 芸文センターで記念リサイタル . 2022-11-01 . 毎日新聞 . ja.
  15. Web site: 大切にしてきた一曲一曲を熱い心で歌う/紙ふうせんインタビュー . 2022-08-17 . Web音遊人(みゅーじん) . ja.
  16. Web site: 徹子の部屋|テレビ朝日 . 2022-08-17 . www.tv-asahi.co.jp.
  17. Web site: 「冬が来る前に」紙ふうせん 大学で教鞭をとっていた|あの人は今こうしている . 2022-11-01 . 日刊ゲンダイDIGITAL. 9 June 2014 .
  18. Web site: 毎日放送ラジオ MBS1179.com . 2022-08-17 . www.mbs1179.com.
  19. Web site: 12/18(金)サンテレビ「2時コレ !しっとぉ !?」でヨグマタが紹介されます . 2022-08-17 . ヨグマタ相川圭子公式サイト . ja.
  20. Web site: fmosaka.net~FM OSAKA(FM大阪)のホームページ::WEEKEND PROGRAM . 2022-08-17 . fmosaka.net.
  21. Web site: 紙ふうせんのTV出演情報 . 2022-11-01 . ORICON NEWS. November 2019 .
  22. Web site: 紙ふうせん Discography . 2022-08-17 . orange.zero.jp.
  23. Web site: トンデモネズミ大活躍 - アニメ詳細データ - ◇テレビドラマデータベース◇ . 2022-10-22 . テレビドラマデータベース . ja.
  24. Web site: わが子よIII - ドラマ詳細データ - ◇テレビドラマデータベース◇ . 2022-10-22 . テレビドラマデータベース . ja.
  25. Web site: シンシア~介助犬誕生ものがたり - ドラマ詳細データ - ◇テレビドラマデータベース◇ . 2022-10-22 . テレビドラマデータベース . ja.
  26. Web site: 日本放送協会 . 菜の花ばたけ . 2022-11-01 . NHK みんなのうた . ja.
  27. Web site: 日本放送協会 . わたしの紙風船(1983年版) . 2022-11-01 . NHK みんなのうた . ja.
  28. Web site: 日本放送協会 . ホーハイホー . 2022-11-01 . NHK みんなのうた . ja.

External links