Kamifusen (紙ふうせん, Paper Balloon) is a Japanese folk duo formed in 1974 and composed of Etsujiroh Gotoh (後藤悦治郎, b. April 29, 1946) and Yasuyo Hirayama (平山泰代, b. March 28, 1947). Their style is characterized by interpretations of traditional songs with arrangements using current sounds and rhythms. Kamifusen is active in the Kansai region of Japan and have recorded internationally in Santa Monica, California and Toronto, Canada.
Kamifusen (Paper Balloon) 紙ふうせん | |
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| Origin | Kansai, Japan |
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| Years active | 1974 - present |
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| Website | orange |
Kamifusen's music was inspired by Peter, Paul & Mary, who had a great influence on the 1970s Japanese folk movement. The artists were originally part of the Kansai folk group Akaitori (Red Bird), which was known for its unique sound blending light rock with choral harmonies.[1]
Etsujiroh Gotoh and Yasuyo Hirayama were graduates of Hyogo Prefectural Amagasaki Kita High School and met again after each entered university, where they were both interested in traditional songs and developed a collection.[2][3]
Gotoh and Hirayama were members of the Japanese folk group Red Bird (赤い鳥) formed in 1969, active mainly in the 1970s through 1974.[3][4] After disbanding, former members formed Kamifusen, Hi-Fi Set and Humming Bird.
As part of Red Bird, they had a hit record with "Tsubasa o Kudasai", which became the official song of the Japan Football Association when Japan made its first appearance at the World Cup in France. [5]
The song "Takeda's Lullaby" won the 1969 Yamaha Light Music Contest "Grand Prix" award.[1]
In 1974, upon the disbanding of Red Bird, Gotoh and Hirayama formed Kamifusen, continuing to perform "Tsubasa wo Kudasai" throughout their career, which became a representative choral song in the field of education.[1]
In 1977, Kamifusen had their first major hit "Before Winter Comes", which became a signature song for the group. [6] The song reached number 4 on the Oricon Singles Chart, with lyrics written by Gotoh, music composed by Tadashi Urano (浦野直). [7][8][9][10]
Kamifusen released nine albums between 1974 and 1986, recording seven in Japan, Here With Me in Santa Monica, California, and Echo Of Love in Toronto, Canada.[11]
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 in The Anne Murray Band.[11]
In 1991, Gotoh and Hirayama participated as members of TSU-BA-SA, formed by Yoshiyuki Nishiguchi (西口善之) and Tomomi Aoyama (青山智美).[12] After releasing the albums Angel On The Roof (1990) and TIME (1991), they returned to work as Kamifusen.
Kamifusen 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.[13][14]
In 2019, Kamifusen held their "45th Anniversary Concert - 50th Anniversary Recital from Red Bird" at Yomiuri Otemachi Hall in Tokyo.[15][16]
Etsujiroh Gotoh and Yasuyo Hirayama were introduced by Hiroyuki Nagato (長門裕之) and Yoko Minamida (南田洋子). They were married at the age of 20 while in the group Red Bird.[17]
Hirayama has appeared as a radio show host for several decades.[4][18][19][20]
In 2005, Gotoh appeared as a lecturer on NHK Educational TV 's "Fun Yuyu". [21]
| Music | Tie-up | Recorded work |
|---|---|---|
| White Construction Paper (白い画用紙) | SHUFUNOTOMO Publishing "Watashi no Baby" 3rd Anniversary Lyric Recruitment Selected Works | Single "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 Song | Single "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 LOVE | Mainichi Broadcasting System series drama (nationwide network) "Affair Family" theme song | Single "ECHO OF LOVE" |
| Times Change (時代は変わる) | TV Asahi "JO Kigen" theme song from the morning | Album TIME |
| Wedding Anniversary Day | Nippon Sheet Glass CM song | |
| Give Me Wings (翼をください) | Japan Football Association official support song | Collaboration single "Give Me Wings (翼をください)" |
| Rainbow (虹) | TV Tokyo "TV Champion" ending theme | Album 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 theme | Single "I Want to Be Like You (あなたの風になりたい)" |
| Song title | Lyricist | Composer | Producer | Period of use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rape Blossoms (菜の花ばたけ) | Yoji Unno | Etsujiroh Gotoh | Katsuhisa Hattori | April-May, 1975 |
| My Paper Balloon (わたしの紙風船) | Akira Shimaoka | Nobuyoshi Koshibe | April-May, 1983 | |
| Ho Hi Ho (ホーハイホー) | Etsujiroh Gotoh | Tetsuya Imade | June-July, 1999 | |