Kyu Sakamoto 坂本 九
Also known as	Kyu-chan
Born	December 10, 1941(1941-12-10)
Origin	Kawasaki, Kanagawa prefecture, Japan
Died	August 12, 1985 (aged 43)
Genre(s)	Pop, rock, soul, kayōkyoku, enka
Occupation(s)	Singer, songwriter, actor, TV personality
Instrument(s)	Guitar, Piano, Trumpet
Years active	1958–1959 (The Drifters) 1959-1960 (Danny Iida & his paradise kings) 1961-1985 (solo)
Label(s)	Toshiba Records (Toshiba-EMI)
Associated acts	Danny Iida and His Paradise Kings, Kayoko Moriyama
Website	Official Website

Kyu Sakamoto (坂本 九, Sakamoto Kyū^?, born Hisashi Oshima (大島九, Ōshima Hisashi^?), December 10, 1941 - August 12, 1985) was a popular Japanese singer and actor. is the 344th day of the year (345th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see 1941 (disambiguation). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... This article is about the Japanese city. ... Kanagawa Prefecture ) is a prefecture located in the southern Kantō region of HonshÅ«, Japan. ... is the 224th day of the year (225th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... For other uses, see Pop music (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Rock music (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Soul music (disambiguation). ... The term enka refers to two different styles of Japanese music. ... For other uses, see Singer (disambiguation). ... A songwriter is someone who writes the lyrics to songs, the musical composition or melody to songs, or both. ... For other uses, see Actor (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Celebrity (disambiguation). ... A musical instrument is a device constructed or modified with the purpose of making music. ... For other uses, see Guitar (disambiguation). ... A short grand piano, with the lid up. ... Trumpeter redirects here. ... Jan. ... Year 1959 (MCMLIX) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Drifters (ザ・ドリフターズ, Za Dorifutaazu) was a famous Japanese comedy group from 1964. ... Year 1959 (MCMLIX) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. ... Toshiba-EMI - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... is the 344th day of the year (345th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see 1941 (disambiguation). ... is the 224th day of the year (225th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ...

Biography

Kyu was born in Kawasaki, Kanagawa prefecture as the youngest among nine siblings (his given name Kyu (九) means 'nine'). His parents, Hiroshi Sakamoto and Iku Sakamoto, both worked at a restaurant. In high school Kyu began to sing and became very popular. In 1958 he joined the Japanese pop-band "The Drifters" as a singer. This article is about the Japanese city. ... Kanagawa Prefecture ) is a prefecture located in the southern Kantō region of HonshÅ«, Japan. ...

One of his best known and most beloved songs was "Ashita ga Aru Sa" ("There's Always Tomorrow"). It was covered by the Japanese band Ulfuls in 2001. Ulfuls (ウルフルズ urufuruzu) is a Japanese rock band from Osaka. ...

Kyu worked very hard for old, young and handicapped people in Japan. "Ashita Ga Aru Sa" was the leading theme of the 1964 Handicap Olympics in Tokyo.

On August 12, 1985, Kyu Sakamoto died in the crash of Japan Airlines Flight 123. Before the doomed aircraft hit the ground, he managed to write a farewell note to his wife Yukiko Kashiwagi. Married in 1971, they had two daughters, Hanako and Maiko. is the 224th day of the year (225th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... Japan Airlines Flight 123 was a Japan Airlines domestic flight from Tokyo International Airport to Osaka International Airport. ... Kyu Sakamoto and Yukiko Kashiwagi Yukiko Kashiwagi (柏木由紀子 Kashiwagi Yukiko), born December 24, 1947-, Japanese actress and Kyu Sakamotos wife from 1971 until his death in 1985. ... Year 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1971 Gregorian calendar, known as the year of cyclohexanol. ... Hanako Oshima , born October 7, 1973 in Tokyo, Japan) is a japanese singer and daughter to Yukiko Kashiwagi and the late singer Kyu Sakamoto 2003, Miagetegoran yoru no hoshiwo (見上げてごらん夜の星を/Look up to the shining star) 2004, Kokoro no hitomi (心の瞳/The eye of the heart) JAM HOUSE, where Hanako plays live...

Sukiyaki

His most popular song, Ue o muite arukō ("I look up when I walk") was popular in Japan and the United States. Released by Capitol Records in the US as Sukiyaki (Capitol 4945), it topped the Billboard pop charts in the United States for three weeks in 1963 -- to date the first and only song sung entirely in Japanese to do so. The lyrics tell the tragic story of a man who looks up while he is walking so that his tears won't fall. The verses of the song describe him doing this through each season of the year. Ue o muite arukō (上を向いて歩こう I look up when I walk) is a Japanese song that was performed by Japanese crooner Kyu Sakamoto, and written by Rokusuke Ei and Hachidai Nakamura. ... Ue o muite arukō (上を向いて歩こう I look up when I walk) is a Japanese song that was performed by Japanese crooner Kyu Sakamoto, and written by Rokusuke Ei and Hachidai Nakamura. ... “Hot 100” redirects here. ...

The song was performed in English by the female R&B duo A Taste of Honey in 1981; the English version, which also told the story of a love gone wrong, was almost as big a hit as the original, reaching #3 on the Hot 100 and remaining on the Hot 100 chart for 24 weeks. "Sukiyaki" was brought back into the U.S. Top 10 once more by the R&B vocal group 4 P.M. (4 Positive Music) in 1994. Rhythm and blues (or R & B) is a musical marketing term introduced in the United States in the late 1940s by Billboard magazine. ... A Taste of Honey was the name of an American recording act which scored one of the biggest hits of the disco era. ... 4 P.M., also known as For Positive Music, formed in 1991 and was comprised of brothers Roberto Pena Jr. ...

The English lyrics of the version recorded by A Taste of Honey are not a translation of the original Japanese lyrics but a completely different set of lyrics set to the same basic melody.

Sakamoto had only one other song reach the U.S. charts, "China Nights (Shina no Yoru)" (Capitol 5016), which peaked at #58 in 1963. His only American album, "Sukiyaki and Other Japanese Hits" (Capitol 10349), peaked at #14 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart (now known as the Billboard 200) in 1963 and remained on the Pop Albums chart for 17 weeks.

In the summer of 1963 Kyu went out on a world tour that lasted to the beginning of 1964. A few of the countries that he visited included the United States (including Hawaii), Germany, and Sweden. When Sakamoto visited the United States he was a guest on The Tonight Show with Steve Allen, he was supposed to be on The Ed Sullivan Show but it was cancelled due to the recording of his upcoming movie "Kyu chan no katana wo uite" This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Steve Allen on the cover of Steve Allen on the Bible, Religion, and Morality Stephen Valentine Patrick William Allen (December 26, 1921 – October 30, 2000) was an American musician, comedian, and writer who was instrumental in innovating the concept of the television talk show. ... The Ed Sullivan Show was an American television variety show that ran from June 20, 1948 to June 6, 1971, and was hosted by former entertainment columnist Ed Sullivan. ...

Albums

• Sukiyaki And Other Japanese Hits (1963)
• Kyu Sakamoto Memorial Best (2005)
• Kyu Sakamoto CD & DVD The best (2005)

Sukiyaki And Other Japanese Hits is an album by Kyu Sakamoto released in 1963 in the U.S. by Capitol Records. ... For other uses, see 1963 (disambiguation). ... Kyu Sakamoto Memorial Best is an album with Kyu Sakamoto released in 2005 in UK by EMI. The songs which are singed is the most well known of Sakamoto´s career. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Album Cover Kyu Sakamoto CD & DVD The best (Best: 上を向いて歩こう), is an Japanese album with 13 songs performed by Kyu Sakamoto and recorded by Toshiba EMI. A DVD with a live performance with Kyu Sakamoto also follows with the CD. Tracks CD Ue Wo Muite Aruko (Sukiyaki) 悲しき六十才(ﾑｽﾀｰﾌｧ) ｽﾃｷなﾀｲﾐﾝｸﾞ Ashita Ga Arusa 幸せなら手をたたこう Namidakun... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Filmography

• Takekurabe (1955)
• Subete Ga Kurutteru (1960)
• Kigeki: ekimae danchi (1961)
• Ushichi jini aimasho (1963)
• Shiawase nara te o tatake "Clap your hands when you are happy" (1964)
• Garibā no Uchū Ryokō "Gulliver's Travels Beyond the Moon" (1965)
• Kyu-chan no Dekkai Yume "Kyu-chan's big dream" (1967)
• Tokkan (1975)

Takekurabe is a novel written by Ichiyo Higuchi featuring a group of children led by a boy from Buddhist priest family and another led by a girl from Geisha family, and the fight between the groups in the summer festival. ... Year 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1955 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Ushichi jini aimasho/Shall we meet at seven? (7時にあいまショー) Ushichi jini aimasho was recorded in 1963, the show features the Japanese singer Kyu Sakamoto, in which he sings 8 of his more well known songs. ... For other uses, see 1963 (disambiguation). ... Also Nintendo emulator: 1964 (emulator). ... Gullivers Travels Beyond the Moon , Gullivers Space Journey) (also known as Space Gulliver) is a 1965 Japanese animated feature which was released in the United States in 1966. ... Year 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. ... Kyu-chan no Dekkai Yume/Kyu-chan´s Big dream (九ちゃんのでっかい夢) is a 1967 Japanese comedy film by film director Yoji Yamada. ... Year 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Documentaries

• Ue wo Muite Arukou~Sakamoto Kyu Monogatari (2005)

Ue wo Muite Arukou-Sakamoto Kyu Monogatari/Walking while Looking Up - The Kyu Sakamoto Story (上を向いて歩こう-坂本九物語), is a biography based on the Japanese singer Kyu Sakamoto´s life. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Trivia

• The asteroid 6980 Kyusakamoto is named after Kyu Sakamoto.
• Kyu's bloodtype was A.
• His nickname (Kyū) is an alternate reading of the kanji (九) for his given name (Hisashi).

For other uses, see Asteroid (disambiguation). ... 6980 Kyusakamoto is an asteroid discovered and named by the two Japanese astronomers Kin Endate and Kazuo Watanabe in 1993. ... It is popularly believed in Japan that a persons ABO blood type or ketsu eki gata is predictive of their personality, character, and compatibility with others, similar to the Western worlds Astrology. ... Japanese writing Kanji Kana Hiragana Katakana Hentaigana Manyōgana Uses Furigana Okurigana Rōmaji   ) are the Chinese characters that are used in the modern Japanese logographic writing system along with hiragana (平仮名), katakana (片仮名), and the Arabic numerals. ...

Legacy

• Kyu Sakamoto Memorial Hall

Kyu Sakamoto Memorial Hall (坂本九思い出記念館) is a museum in the town Kuriyama, Hokkaido. ...

External links

• Kyu Sakamoto's official website (Japanese)
• Kyu Sakamoto on Nippop Profile
• Animation and flight recording data from JAL flight 123 where Kyu Sakamoto died
• Kyu Sakamoto at the Internet Movie Database