Hako Yamasaki (山崎ハコ, Yamasaki Hako, born May 18, 1957),[1] (birth name Hatsuko Yamasaki (山崎 初子)) is a Japanese folk singer-songwriter, actor, and writer. She recorded her first album in 1975.[2] In 1991, she made her acting debut.

Hako Yamasaki
山崎ハコ
Birth name山崎 初子
Born (1957-05-18) May 18, 1957 (age 67)
Ōita, Japan
GenresFolk
Occupation(s)Singer, actress, writer
Years active1975-
LabelsPony Canyon (1975-1984)
Universal Music Japan (1985-1992)
Victor Entertainment (1994-1995)
Zetima (1997)
Tokuma Japan (2002-2006)
Nippon Columbia (2008)
Teichiku Records (2011-)
Websitehttps://web.archive.org/web/20211107124114/http://www.hako.esy.es

Biography

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In 1974, while attending high school, Yamasaki won the Grand Prix Prizef at the, "Join Us Folk Competition".[2] During the contest, music producer Tomoi Hoshino scouted and recruited her into his agency, Imadoki. She made her debut in 1975 with the album "Tobimasu", which was released under Pony Canyon records.[3] During her debut, she received the nickname "a rival to Miyuki Nakajima", who similarly wrote dark lyrics about love. Yamasaki had moderate success with her career, with albums that sold over 50,000 copies.[2]

During the 1980s, there was a decline in album sales coupled alongside a growing unpopularity of the folk genre of music. In 1985, Yamasaki transferred to Universal Music Japan. Following the release of her live album in 1986, Yamasaki went on a temporary hiatus. In 1994, Yamasaki's first cover album of the year received an award for the Best Planning album at the 36th Japan Music Awards. It was during the 1990s however, when Yamasaki's agency Imadoki went bankrupt. [3][4] In 2002, Yamasaki made her major musical comeback with her single, "Yasashii Uta" which was released under the Tokuma Japan label.[2] In the same year, she made her voice acting debut in the anime television series, Chibi Maruko-chan.[5]

With the 2020s, Yamasaki's popularity has seen a rise online worldwide, with millions of views of her songs on platforms such as Spotify and YouTube.[6]

Personal life

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Following the bankruptcy of her musical agency, "Imadoki" in 1998, Yamasaki was left on the verge of homelessness, working part-time as a dishwasher to make a living.[4][7] In 2001, she married guitarist Hiromi Yasuda.[4] Their marriage lasted until 2020, when Yasuda passed away due to colorectal cancer.[8][9]

Discography

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Albums

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Studio albums

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List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak positions
JPN
Oricon

Tobimasu (飛・び・ま・す)
  • Released: December 1, 1975
  • Label: Elec Records
  • Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming
36
Tsunawatari (綱渡り)
  • Released: May 25, 1976
  • Label: Elec Records
  • Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming
46
Aiiro no Uta (藍色の詩)
  • Released: March 18, 1977
  • Label: Canyon Records
  • Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming
10
Nagareyoi no Uta (流れ酔い唄)
  • Released: June 10, 1978
  • Label: Canyon Records
  • Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming
14
Ningen Magai (人間まがい)
  • Released: May 21, 1979
  • Label: Canyon Records
  • Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming
-
Aruite (歩いて)
  • Released: October 5, 1980
  • Label: Canyon Records
  • Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming
-
Akane ()
  • Released: April 21, 1981
  • Label: Canyon Records
  • Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming
-
Gensou Ryokou (幻想旅行)
  • Released: November 5, 1981
  • Label: Canyon Records
  • Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming
-
Gensou Ryokou II (幻想旅行 II)
  • Released: April 5, 1982
  • Label: Canyon Records
  • Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming
-
Glass no Keshiki (硝子の景色)
  • Released: October 21, 1982
  • Label: Canyon Records
  • Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming
-
Kaze no Iro (風の色)
  • Released: February 21, 1983
  • Label: Canyon Records
  • Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming
-
Darjeeling (ダージリン)
  • Released: September 21, 1983
  • Label: Canyon Records
  • Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming
-
Tessen no Hana (てっせんの花)
  • Released: June 5, 1984
  • Label: Canyon Records
  • Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming
-
Hikaru Yume (光る夢)
  • Released: May 25, 1985
  • Label: Universal Music Japan
  • Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming
-
Toki wa Nagarete (時は流れて)
  • Released: November 25, 1985
  • Label: Universal Music Japan
  • Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming
-
Nawatobi (なわとび)
  • Released: June 1, 1986
  • Label: Universal Music Japan
  • Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming
-
Sasuga
  • Released: February 23, 1990
  • Label: Universal Music Japan
  • Formats: CD, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming
-
Nihon Utashuu: Tooi Machi Tooi Sora (日本詩集 〜遠い町 遠い空〜)
  • Released: April 25, 1990
  • Label: Universal Music Japan
  • Formats: CD, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming
-
Memphis Made (メンフィスまで)
  • Released: May 21, 1992
  • Label: Universal Music Japan
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
-
Watashi ga Umareta Hi (私が生まれた日)
  • Released: May 24, 1995
  • Label: Victor
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
-
Yuishin (唯心)
  • Released: June 21, 1996
  • Label: Victor
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
-
En: Enishi (縁 -えにし)
  • Released: March 7, 2012
  • Label: Teichiku
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
-
Utakko (歌っ子)
  • Released: September 17, 2014
  • Label: Teichiku
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
-
Watashi no Uta (私のうた)
  • Released: September 21, 2016
  • Label: Teichiku
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
-
Yokohama kara Aku Yuu Mihappyou Sakuhinshuu (横浜から 阿久悠未発表作品集)
  • Released: June 20, 2018
  • Label: Teichiku
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
-
List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak positions
JPN
Oricon

Tobimasu...17sai (飛びます…17歳) -

Cover albums

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List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak positions
JPN
Oricon

Ohako (十八番) -

Self-cover albums

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List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak positions
JPN
Oricon

Hako no Ohako (ハコのお箱) -
Mihappyou (未・発・表)
  • Released: November 4, 2009
  • Label: Nippon Columbia
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
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Live albums

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List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak positions
JPN
Oricon

Yamasaki Hako First Live (山崎ハコ ファーストライブ) -
Yamasaki Hako Live II Uta Arite (山崎ハコ ライブII 歌在りて)
  • Released: November 21, 1979
  • Label: Canyon Records
  • Formats: LP, digital download, streaming
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Watashi no Shiawase (私の幸せ) -
Yamasaki Hako Live Set (山崎ハコライブセット) -

Compilation albums

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List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak positions
JPN
Oricon

Kiseki (軌跡) -
Best of Yamasaki Hako (ベスト オブ 山崎ハコ)
  • Released: February 5, 1984
  • Label: Canyon
  • Formats: LP, digital download, streaming
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Best Selection (ベストセレクション)
  • Released: June 5, 1985
  • Label: Canyon
  • Formats: LP, CD, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming
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The Best of Yamasaki Hako (ザ・ベスト・オブ・山崎ハコ)
  • Released: July 25, 1985
  • Label: Universal Music Japan
  • Formats: LP, CD, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming
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Super Best (スーパーベスト)
  • Released: November 21, 1986
  • Label: Pony
  • Formats: LP, CD, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming
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Yamasaki Hako Best (山崎ハコ ベスト)
  • Released: November 21, 1987
  • Label: Pony
  • Formats: LP, CD, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming
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Best
  • Released: August 29, 1990
  • Label: Universal Music Japan
  • Formats: CD, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming
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For your Good Days
  • Released: November 21, 1992
  • Label: Universal Music Japan
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
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Yamasaki Hako Best Album (山崎ハコ ベストアルバム)
  • Released: November 21, 1996
  • Label: Pony Canyon
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
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Yamasaki Hako Best Collection Dear My Songs (山崎ハコ ベストコレクション Dear My Songs)
  • Released: December 24, 2001
  • Label: Pony Canyon
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
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Anthology Yamasaki Hako Best (Anthology 山崎ハコ BEST)
  • Released: August 21, 2002
  • Label: Pony Canyon
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
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Yamasaki Hako Golden Best (山崎ハコ ゴールデン☆ベスト)
  • Released: March 1, 2006
  • Label: Universal Music Japan
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
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Utaitaino (歌いたいの)
  • Released: May 24, 2006
  • Label: Tokuma Japan
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
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Yamasaki Hako Best Collection History 1975-1984 (山崎ハコ best collection history 1975-1984)
  • Released: July 16, 2008
  • Label: Pony Canyon
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
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Hako Desu 1975-2014 (ハ・コ・で・す 1975-2014)
  • Released: October 1, 2014
  • Label: Pony Canyon
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
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Singles

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List of singles, with selected chart positions
Year Single Peak chart positions Label Formats
JPN
Physical

1978 "Nagareyoi Uta"
(流れ酔い唄)
97 Canyon CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming
1979 "Jigoku Kokoro dake Aishite"
(地獄「心だけ愛して」)
- CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming
"Lullaby Yokosuka"
(ララバイ横須賀)
CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming
1980 "Otoko no Whisky"
(男のウ井スキー)
CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming
1981 "Orie no Uta"
(織江の唄)
CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming
1982 "Gensou Ryokou"
(幻想旅行)
CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming
1983 "Ame ni Utaenai"
(雨に唄えない)
CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming
1984 "Kaze no Uta"
(風の歌)
CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming
"Machi yo"
(町よ)
CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming
1985 "Tell a lie"
(テル・ア・ライ)
Universal Music Japan CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming
1990 "Anou" CD, Cassette, digital download, streaming
"Kibun wo Käte"
(気分を変えて)
CD, Cassette, digital download, streaming
1992 "Hotaru"
(蛍)
CD, digital download, streaming
1994 "Acacia no Ame ga Yamu Toki"
(アカシアの雨がやむとき)
Victor CD, digital download, streaming
1995 "Watashi ga Umareta Hi"
(私が生まれた日)
CD, digital download, streaming
1997 "Tadoritsuitara Itsumo Ame Furi"
(たどりついたらいつも雨ふり)
Zetima CD, digital download, streaming
"Wasshoi Nippon"
(わっしょいニッポン)
CD, digital download, streaming
"Tazunehito: Boukensha"
(たずね人 -冒険者-)
CD, digital download, streaming
2002 "Yasashii Uta"
(やさしい歌)
Tokuma Japan CD, digital download, streaming
2004 "Setsuna no Yume"
(刹那の夢)
CD, digital download, streaming
2006 "Tessen Komoriuta"
(てっせん子守唄)
CD, digital download, streaming
2008 "Beetle" Nippon Columbia CD, digital download, streaming
2011 "Anata no Koe"
(あなたの声)
Teichiku CD, digital download, streaming

Songwriting credits

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List of non-studio album, song-writing credits that feature Hako Yamasaki
Title Year Artist Album/Single
"Shiroi Hana" 1978 Mirei Kitahara Sumie no Uta
"Nosappu Misaki" 1981 Best Album
"Dancing Doll" 1980 Miyuki Matsuda Dancing Doll
"Chiisana Mondai" 1984 Agnes Chan Chiisana Mondai
"Glass no Pinocchio" 1990 Nae Yuuki Glass no Pinocchio
"Fuyu no Tokyo", "Nijiiro no Sekai Chizu" 1993 Shun
"Art of Loving" Minami Saori Art of Loving
"Daredare no Buki" 1995 Nae Yuuki Alamode
"Hanabi" 2012 Sayuri Ishikawa X-Cross

References

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  1. ^ https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/213137/
  2. ^ a b c d "THE BLUE BALLADS OF HAKO YAMASAKI". sabukaru.online. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "山崎ハコ 情念や怨念を独特な雰囲気で弾き語り". tokyo-sport.co.jp. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c "山崎ハコ、"人間嫌いキャラ"で世間にウソを…脱却のきっかけは亡き夫・安田裕美さん". jprime.jp. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  5. ^ "本編を忘れるほど怖い!アニメのエンディング3選 苦情殺到の曲も?". magmix.jp. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  6. ^ "Hako Yamasaki Tsunawatari". hhv-mag.com. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  7. ^ "Hako Yamasaki Tobimasu". hhv-mag.com. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  8. ^ "山崎ハコの夫・安田裕美さん死去 63歳大腸がん 山崎「悲し過ぎて色々な事を考えられません」". chunichi. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  9. ^ "山崎ハコの夫ギタリスト安田裕美さん死去 大腸がん". nikkan. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
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