Joe Hisaishi 1

Joe Hisaishi

Joe Hisaishi

Joe Hisaishi in Paris in 2011

Background information

Birth name Mamoru Fujisawa

Born December 6, 1950Nakano, Nagano, Japan

Genres Film score, New Age, Neoclassical, Progressive rock

Occupations Musical director, composer, conductor, arranger

Instruments Violin, piano, keyboard

Years active 1974–present

Website www.joehisaishi.com [1]

Mamoru Fujisawa (藤 澤 守 Fujisawa Mamoru), known professionally as Joe Hisaishi (久 石 譲 Hisaishi Jō,born December 6, 1950), is a composer and director known for over 100 film scores and solo albums dating back to1981.While possessing a stylistically distinct sound, Hisaishi's music has been known to explore and incorporate differentgenres, including minimalist, experimental electronic, European classical, and Japanese classical. Lesser known arethe other musical roles he plays; he is also a typesetter, author, arranger, and head of an orchestra.He is best known for his work with animator Hayao Miyazaki, having composed scores for many of his filmsincluding Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984), Castle in the Sky (1986), My Neighbor Totoro (1988), Kiki'sDelivery Service (1989), Porco Rosso (1992), Princess Mononoke (1997), Spirited Away (2001), Howl's MovingCastle (2004) and Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (2008). He is also recognized for the soundtracks he has provided forfilmmaker 'Beat' Takeshi Kitano, including A Scene at the Sea (1991), Dolls (2002), Kikujiro (1999), Hana-bi(1997), Kids Return (1996), and Sonatine (1993). He is also good friends with anime music composer, Shirō Sagisuand was student of legendary anime composer Takeo Watanabe.

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BiographyJoe Hisaishi was born in Nakano, Nagano, Japan as Mamoru Fujisawa (藤 澤 守 Fujisawa Mamoru). When hestarted to take violin lessons at age five, Hisaishi discovered his passion for music. Realizing his love, he attendedthe Kunitachi College of Music in 1969 to major in music composition. Hisaishi collaborated with minimalist artistsas a typesetter, furthering his experience in the musical world.He enjoyed his first success of the business in 1974 when he composed music for a small animation calledGyatoruzu. This and other early works were created under his given name. During this period, he composed forSasuga no Sarutobi (Academy of Ninja) and Futari Taka (A Full Throttle).In the 1970s, Japanese popular music, electronic music, and new-age music flourished; those genres, as well as theYellow Magic Orchestra (a Japanese electronic band in 1978–1983), influenced Hisaishi's compositions. Hedeveloped his music from minimalist ideas and expanded toward orchestral work. Around 1975, Hisaishi presentedhis first public performance, spreading his name around his community. His first album, MKWAJU, was released in1981, with Information being released a year later. His first major anime scores were Hajime Ningen Gyatoruz(1974) and Robokko Beeton (1976).As his works were becoming well known, Hisaishi formulated an alias inspired by Quincy Jones, anAfrican-American musician and producer. Retranscribed in Japanese, "Quincy Jones" became "Joe Hisaishi."("Quincy," pronounced "Kuinshi" in Japanese, can be written using the same kanji in "Hisaishi"; "Joe" comes from"Jones.")In 1983, with his new name, Hisaishi was recommended by a record company to create an album for Nausicaä of theValley of the Wind. Hisaishi and the director of the animated film, Hayao Miyazaki, became great friends and wouldwork together on many future projects. This big break led to Hisaishi's overwhelming success as a composer of filmscores. In 1986, Laputa: Castle in the Sky, and later, in the 1990s, Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away, werereleased. As Hisaishi strengthened his reputation as one of the budding anime industry's top musical contributors, hiscompositions (including eight theatrical films and one OAV) would proceed to become some of the very hallmarksof early anime in the 1980s and 1990s. Hisaishi also composed for such TV and movie hits as Sasuga no Sarutobi,Two Down Full Base, Tonde Mon Pe and anime Tekuno porisu 21C (all 1982), Sasrygar (1983), Futari Taka (1984),Honō no Alpen Rose (1985) and Oz no mahôtsukai (1986). He also scored the sci-fi adventure series Mospeada(1983), which was later reworked (without his music) into the third segment of Carl Macek's compilation, Robotech.Other films he scored included Mobile Suit Gundam Movie II: Soldiers of Sorrow (1981), Mobile Suit GundamMovie III: Encounters in Space, (1982), Birth (Bâsu) (1984), Arion (1986), Robot Carnival (1987), Totoro (1988),Crest of the Royal Family and Maison Ikkoku - Apartment Fantasy (both 1988), Venus Wars (1989), Kiki's DeliveryService (1989), Porco Rosso (1992) and Ocean Heaven (2010). He also did theme song arrangements and composedother anime titles's opening, closing and insert theme songs such as Hello! Sandybell (1981), Ai Shite Knight (1983),Creamy Mami, the Magic Angel: Curtain Call (1986), and Kimagure Orange Road: The Movie (1988). [2] [3] [4] [5]

As more exposure was given to Hisaishi and the anime industry, his career grew. He initiated a solo career, began toproduce music, and created his own label (Wonder Land Inc.). A year later, the label released its first album,Pretender, in New York.As a result of his work throughout the years, Hisaishi has won the Japanese Academy Award for Best Music sixtimes—in 1992,[6] 1993,[7] 1994,[8] 1999,[9] 2000,[10] 2009,[11] and 2011.[12] He also received the 48th NewcomerAward in 1997 from the Ministry of Education (Public Entertainment Section) among numerous other awards, beingrecognized as an influential figure in the Japanese film industry.In 1998, he provided the soundtrack to the 1998 Winter Paralympics. The following year, he composed the music forthe third installment in a series of popular computer-animated educational films about the human body.In 2001, Hisaishi produced music for Takeshi Kitano's film, Brother, and Hayao Miyazaki's masterpiece, Spirited Away. He also served as executive producer of the Night Fantasia 4 Movement at the Japan Expo in Fukushima

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2001. On October 6, Hisaishi made his debut as a film director in Quartet, having also written both its music andscript. The film received excellent reviews at the Montreal Film Festival. His first soundtrack for a foreign film, LePetit Poucet, was released in the same year.

Joe Hisaishi in Krakow, 2011

Another Miyazaki film, Howl's Moving Castle, for which Hisaishicomposed the score, was released on November 20, 2004 in Japan.From November 3 to November 29, 2004, Hisaishi embarked onhis "Joe Hisaishi Freedom – Piano Stories 2004" tour withCanadian musicians. In 2005, he composed the soundtrack for theKorean film, Welcome to Dongmakgol (웰컴 투 동막골). He alsopartook in Korea's historically landmarked big budget drama seriesproduction by composing the soundtrack for Korea's MBC dramaseries, The Legend (태왕사신기 "The Story of the First King'sFour Gods"), which released in 2007. Hisaishi has a large fan basein Korea due to the popularity of Miyazaki films.

In 2006, Hisaishi released a studio album, Asian X.T.C., thecompositions of which demonstrated a significantly eclectic andcontemporary Eastern style. The erhu player of the Chinese band12 Girls Band Zhan Li Jun played in a live concert featuring musicfrom that album. The following year, he composed and recordedthe soundtrack for Frederic Lepage's film, Sunny and the Elephantand the Miyazaki film, Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea, both releasedin 2008, as well as the score for Jiang Wen's film, The Sun Also Rises (太 阳 照 常 升 起).

In 2008, Hisaishi composed soundtracks for Academy Award-winning film Departures as well as for I'd Rather Be aShellfish (私 は 貝 に な り た い Watashi wa Kai ni Naritai), a post-World War II war crimes trial dramawhich is based on the 1959 Tetsutaro Kato novel and film currently being remade and directed by Katsuo Fukuzawa,starring Masahiro Nakai and Yukie Nakama.Hisaishi also released a new solo album in early 2009 featuring tracks from Shellfish and Departures.In November 2009, he was awarded with a Medal of Honour with purple ribbon by the Government of Japan.[13]

DiscographyHisaishi's full discography and list of projects may be accessed at his official website.

AlbumsThis list is incomplete.

1980s

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Album Release date Notes

MKWAJU (ム ク ワ ジ ュ) 1981-08-21

Information 1982-10-25

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind 1983-11-25 Image Album

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind 1984-02-25 Symphonic Album

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind 1984-03-25 Soundtrack

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind 1984-04-25 Drama Album

W's Tragedy (Wの 悲 劇 オ リ ジ ナ ル サ ン ト ラ) 1984-12-21

α-BET-CITY (ア ル フ ァ ベ ッ ト シ テ ィ) 1985-06-25

Early Spring Tale (早 春 物 語) 1985-09-01

Arion 1985-10-25 Image Album

Soil 未 来 の 記 憶 1986 Syoko Solo Album

Arion 1986-03-25

Arion 1986-04-25 Symphonic Album

Castle in the Sky 1986-05-25 Image Album

Castle In the Sky 1986-09-25/1986-08-25? Soundtrack

Curved Music 1986-09-25

Mezon Ikkoku (め ぞ ん 一 刻) 1986-10-25

Nausicaä Best Collection 1986-11-25 Soundtrack/Symphonic

Castle in the Sky 1987-01-25 Symphonic Album

恋 人 た ち の 時 刻 サ ン ト ラ 1987-03-05

Robot Carnival 1987-03-21

Drifting Classroom (漂 流 教 室 オ リ ジ ナ ル サ ン ト ラ) 1987-07-21

My Neighbor Totoro 1987-11-25 Image Album

Carrying You 1988-03-25 from Castle in the Sky

My Neighbor Totoro 1988-05-01

Piano Stories 1988-07-21

Night City (シ ン グ ル) 1988-08-21

My Neighbor Totoro 1988-09-25 Soundbook Album

Illusion 1988-12-21

冬 の 旅 人 1988-12-21 (1989-01-10?)

Venus Wars 1988-12-21 Image Album

Castle In the Sky 1989-02-25 Drama Album

My Neighbor Totoro 1989-02-25 Drama Album

Kiki's Delivery Service 1989-04-10 Image Album

Venus Wars 1989-04-10

The Inners (は る か な る 時 間 の 彼 方 へ) 1989-04-21

Kiki's Delivery Service 1989-08-25 Soundtrack

Pretender 1989-09-21

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Kiki's Delivery Service 1989-09-25 Drama Album

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind 1989-10-25 Hi-Tech

Castle In the Sky 1989-11-25 Hi-Tech

Kiki's Delivery Service Hi-Tech 1989-12-21 Hi-Tech

1990s

Album Release date Notes

My Neighbor Totoro 1990-01-25 Hi-Tech

I Am 1991-02-22

Futari 1991-04-21

Kojika Monogatari 1991-04-21

Universe Within: Special Issue (驚 異 の 小 宇 宙 ･ 人 体) 1991-07-01

天 外 魔 境 ２ MARU 1992-02-01

My Lost City 1992-02-12

君 だ け を み て い た 1992-03-04

My Neighbor Totoro 1992-03-15 Piano Solo

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind 1992-03-15 Piano Solo

Porco Rosso 1992-05-25 Image Album

Porco Rosso 1992-07-22 Soundtrack

Porco Rosso 1992-09-25 Drama Album

Symphonic Best Selection 1992-09-09

B+1 1992-10-21

Piano Stories 1992-11-21

Universe Within I: Human Body I 1992-11-21

A Scene at the Sea 1992-11-25 Soundtrack

Kiki's Delivery Service 1992-11-25 Vocal

Seisyun Den-Deke-Deke-Deke 1992-11-25

Haruka Nostalgy 1993-01-21

Sonatine 1993-06-09 Soundtrack

The Water Traveller, Samurai Kids 1993-08-04

Universe Within II: Brain & Mind II 1994-03-18

Universe Within I: Human Body II 1994-03-21

BIRTH 1994-03-24

さ す が の 猿 飛 1994-03-24

Joe's Project (ぴ あ の) 1994-06-01

Piano Vol. 1 (オ リ ジ ナ ル サ ン ト ラ ぴ あ の Vol.1) 1994-06-25

Universe Within II: Brain & Mind Best 1994-07-21

Earthly Paradise (地 上 の 楽 園) 1994-07-27

Joe's Project 2 (ぴ あ の / 純 名 里 沙) 1994-08-10

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Piano Vol. 2 (オ リ ジ ナ ル サ ン ト ラ ぴ あ の Vol.2) 1994-08-25

MELODY Blvd. (メ ロ デ ィ ブ ル ー バ ー ド) 1995-01-25

Kids Return 1996-06-26 Soundtrack

Nokto De La Galaksia Fervojo (銀 河 鉄 道 の 夜) 1996-07-20

Princess Mononoke 1996-07-22 Image Album

Piano Stories II: The Wind of Life 1996-10-25

Parasite Eve 1997-02-01 Movie Soundtrack

Princess Mononoke 1997-07-02 Soundtrack

Asian Dream Song (旅 立 ち の 時) 1997-09-10 From Piano Stories II

Works I 1997-10-15

Hana-bi 1998-01-01 Soundtrack

Hope: Nagano Paralympics 1998 Tribute 1998-02-25

Princess Mononoke 1998-07-08 Symphonic Suite

Nostalgia: Piano Stories III 1998-10-14

Tree of Early Winter Rains (時 雨 の 記) 1998-10-31

Universe Within I: Human Body I & II 1999-04-28

Universe Within II: Brain & Mind I & II 1999-04-28

Universe Within III: Gene I 1999-04-28

Kikujiro 1999-05-26 Soundtrack

Universe Within III: Gene II 1999-08-04

Works II 1999-09-22 Compilation

My Neighbor Totoro 1999-12-01 Song & Karaoke Album

Joe Hisaishi Best Selection 1999-12-22 Compilation

2000s

Album Release date Notes

First Love (Hatsu-koi) 2000-03-28

Alpenrose 2000-04-26

Alpenrose Sinfónica 2000-04-26 Album

As the River Flows 2000-04-29

Shoot the violista (ヴ ィ オ リ ス ト を 撃 て) 2000-05-17

Brother 2001-01-17 Soundtrack

Spirited Away 2001-04-04 Image Album

Joe Hisaishi Meets Kitano Films 2001-06-21 Compilation

Spirited Away 2001-07-18 Soundtrack

Spirited Away 2001-07-18 Single

Quartet 2001-09-27

Le Petit Poucet 2001-10-15

Encore 2002-03-06

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Super Night Orchestra, 2001 2002-07-26

Howl's Moving Castle 2002-10-02 Soundtrack

Dolls 2002-10-02 Soundtrack

Mei and the Catbus 2002-10-02

My Neighbor Totoro 2002-10-23 Orchestral

Kaze no Bon (の 風 盆 か ら) 2002-11-23

Mibugishiden 2002-12-26 Soundtrack

Curved Music II 2003-01-29

Etude 2003-03-12

Private (プ ラ イ ベ ー ト) 2004-01-21

Howl's Moving Castle 2004-01-21 Image Album

Le Mécano de la General 2004-09-06 Soundtrack

Howl's Moving Castle 2004-11-19 Soundtrack

Freedom Piano Stories 4 2005-01-26

Works III 2005-07-27 Compilation / Studio Album

Welcome to Dongmakgol (웰컴 투 동막골) 2005-08-04 Soundtrack

Yamato 2005-12-17

A Chinese Tall Story (情 癫 大 圣) 2005-12-22

Asia X.T.C.' 2006-10-04 Studio Album

Tae Wang Sa Shin Gi (태왕 사 신기) 2007-09-11 Soundtrack

A Tale of Mari and Three Puppies (マ リ と 子 犬 の 物 語) 2007-12-08 Soundtrack

Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea 2008-03-08 Image Album

Piano Stories Best '88-'08 2008-04-16 Recopilación

Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea 2008-07-16 Soundtrack

Departures 2008-09-10 Soundtrack

I'd Rather Be A Shellfish 2008-11-19 Soundtrack

Another Piano Stories - The End of the World 2009-02-18 Studio Album

NHK TV Series "Saka no Ue no Kumo" 2009-11-18 Soundtrack

Oruru No Mori No Monogatari(A Tale Of Ululu's Wonderful Forest) 2009-12-16 Soundtrack

2010s

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Album Release date Notes

The 19th Step 2010 Studio Album

Ocean Heaven Gui Lunmei 2010

Akunin (Villain) 2010-09-01 Soundtrack

Melodyphony -Best of Joe Hisaishi 2010-10-27 Compilation

NHK Special Drama "Saka no Ue no Kumo" Dai Ni Bu 2010-11-17 Soundtrack

Ni No Kuni 2011-02-09 Video Game Soundtrack

Cygnus Garden (MapleStory) 2011 Video Game Soundtrack

DVDs

Title Release date Notes

Quartet 2002-03-25

4Movement 2003-03-19

A Wish to the Moon - Joe Hisaishi & 9 Cellos 2003 Etude/Encore Tour 2003-06-25

W.D.O. (Joe Hisaishi and New Japan Philharmonic World Dream Orchestra) 2006-12-20

Joe Hisaishi in Budokan - 25 years with the Animations of Hayao Miyazaki 2009-07-03

Blu-Ray discs

Title Release date Notes

Joe Hisaishi in Budokan - 25 years with the Animations of Hayao Miyazaki 2009-07-03

Published scores(released by Zen-On Music Company Ltd.)

Album Release date Notes

Orchestra Stories: Tonari no TOTORO (Original Edition)

ENCORE (Original Edition)

A String Quartet: "QUARTET"

Asian X.T.C. (Original Edition)

FREEDOM (Original Edition)

Piano Stories

Etudes ~A Wish to the Moon~

Sources:[14]

There are also numerous television and cinema soundtracks created by Joe Hisaishi which were never released forsale.

Joe Hisaishi 9

References[1] http:/ / www. joehisaishi. com/[2] http:/ / www. imdb. com/ name/ nm0386749/ 10[3] http:/ / ja. wikipedia. org/ wiki/ %E4%B9%85%E7%9F%B3%E8%AD%B2/ 11[4] http:/ / www. animenewsnetwork. com/ encyclopedia/ people. php?id=1196/ 12[5] http:/ / www. world-art. ru/ people. php?id=312/ 13[6] "第15回 日 本 ア カ デ ミ ー 賞 優 秀 作 品[[Category:Articles containing Japanese language text (http:/ / www.

japan-academy-prize. jp/ prizes/ ?t=15)]"] (in Japanese). Japan Academy Prize. . Retrieved 23 January 2011.[7] "第16回 日 本 ア カ デ ミ ー 賞 優 秀 作 品[[Category:Articles containing Japanese language text (http:/ / www.

japan-academy-prize. jp/ prizes/ ?t=16)]"] (in Japanese). Japan Academy Prize. . Retrieved 23 January 2011.[8] "第17回 日 本 ア カ デ ミ ー 賞 優 秀 作 品[[Category:Articles containing Japanese language text (http:/ / www.

japan-academy-prize. jp/ prizes/ ?t=17)]"] (in Japanese). Japan Academy Prize. . Retrieved 23 January 2011.[9] "第22回 日 本 ア カ デ ミ ー 賞 優 秀 作 品[[Category:Articles containing Japanese language text (http:/ / www.

japan-academy-prize. jp/ prizes/ ?t=22)]"] (in Japanese). Japan Academy Prize. . Retrieved 23 January 2011.[10] "第23回 日 本 ア カ デ ミ ー 賞 優 秀 作 品[[Category:Articles containing Japanese language text (http:/ / www.

japan-academy-prize. jp/ prizes/ ?t=23)]"] (in Japanese). Japan Academy Prize. . Retrieved 23 January 2011.[11] "第32回 日 本 ア カ デ ミ ー 賞 優 秀 作 品[[Category:Articles containing Japanese language text (http:/ / www.

japan-academy-prize. jp/ prizes/ ?t=32)]"] (in Japanese). Japan Academy Prize. . Retrieved 23 January 2011.[12] "第34回 日 本 ア カ デ ミ ー 賞 優 秀 作 品[[Category:Articles containing Japanese language text (http:/ / www.

japan-academy-prize. jp/ prizes/ ?t=34)]"] (in Japanese). Japan Academy Prize. . Retrieved 20 May 2011.[13] "678 individuals, 24 groups awarded Medals of Honor," (http:/ / mdn. mainichi. jp/ mdnnews/ national/ news/

20091102p2a00m0na011000c. html) Mainichi Shimbun. November 3, 2009; "Ghibli Composer Joe Hisaishi Awarded Medal of Honour,"(http:/ / www. animenewsnetwork. com/ news/ 2009-11-03/ ghibli-composer-joe-hisaishi-awarded-medal-of-honour) Anime News Network.November 3, 2009.

[14] Team Ghiblink. "Discography of Joe Hisaishi" (http:/ / www. nausicaa. net/ miyazaki/ hisaishi/ discography. html). Nausicaa.net. . Retrieved2008-01-19.

External links• Joe Hisaishi (http:/ / www. animenewsnetwork. com/ encyclopedia/ people. php?id=1196) at Anime News

Network• Joe Hisaishi (http:/ / www. imdb. com/ name/ nm0386749/ ) at IMDB• Official Website (http:/ / www. joehisaishi. com/ )• Chinese Fansite (http:/ / www. joehisaishi. com. cn/ )• Info at [[Nausicaa.net (http:/ / www. nausicaa. net/ miyazaki/ hisaishi/ )]]

Article Sources and Contributors 10

Article Sources and ContributorsJoe Hisaishi  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=507443467  Contributors: 1ForTheMoney, 2bornot2b, ACSE, Ajshm, AlexManMaster, Alus, Antrophica, AppleJuggler,Artimuszeln, AsianAstronaut, AtaruMoroboshi, AzaToth, Bdiscoe, BleuHope93, Cartoon Boy, Cat's Tuxedo, Cracker017, Crystalzilla, Cyanophile, D6, Da Vynci, Daihung, Dancingwaldo,Daniel Lawrence, Danleary25, Deskford, Donnie Park, DragonKing22, Drewboy64, Enochlau, Erianna, Esn, Exeunt, Ferdinand Pienaar, Flibble, Francesco 13, Garion96, GoingBatty,Gzornenplatz, H2g2bob, Hayabusa future, Hello Control, Henrickson, Ijuin2525, Imladros, J. Clef, JM.Beaubourg, Jagged 85, Jcchak, Jill-Jênn, Jmdeleon, K6ka, Kihachi, Kreachure, Krysjez,L33tminion, Le Anh-Huy, Legendman, LiDaobing, Lionhead99, M2416, Maddie!, Marignan, MarkSweep, Martarius, Mattbr, Michael Snow, Mickea, Minkiz88, Moocowsrule, Mr pand, Neier,Nerd Dan, Nihonjoe, Nono64, Ntfletch, Numbo3, Open2universe, Pasky, Paulomatsui, Phthoggos, Preacher Bob, Ranma9617, Rationet, Rikoshi, Rjwilmsi, Rookrow, Rspeer, Satori Son,Scottandrewhutchins, Shareradar, Shawnc, Sherool, Siaush, Siyavash, Sjones23, Smalljim, Snow cat, Splouge, T3hChad, TParadise, Tchernomush, Tenmei, The Prince of Darkness,Themfromspace, Tokek, Tokiokinder, Turtleheart, UltimateAdrian20, Unitoro, Vivio Testarossa, Vranak, Webdinger, WhisperToMe, Wintran, Woohookitty, WordyGirl90, Xiong Chiamiov,ZeikJT, ZeroJanvier, Ziphon, İnsanperver, 163 anonymous edits

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