Chitose Hajime
Encyclopedia
is a singer from Japan
. She is from Amami Ōshima
and sings in a style particular to that region, with distinctive falsetto
effects.
under her mother's encouragement from a young age. At age 10 she began to pick up "Shima-Uta" [island songs], a style of singing passed down through generations and part of the Ryukyuan music tradition.
She won many folk song competitions during her teens, traveling to events across Japan. She released two traditional folk albums on cassette on an indie label, the first at age 15, and at age 18 was approached by numerous record labels following a grand prize win at a local folk song contest. Stating in a later interview that she was "suspicious of them," she decided not to join the labels or pursue music and instead chose to study to become a beautician following in the footsteps of her older sister. She moved to Osaka in 1998. However, Hajime suffered from asthma and had severe allergic reactions to many of the chemicals used by beauticians. She withdrew from school, but before returning home to Amami Ōshima
, contacted artist management company Office Augusta, the only company who had gone all the way to visit her on her home island during the flurry to sign Hajime at age 18.
and Velvet Underground, but was so well received that Hajime was pushed to release another mini-album less than five months later. In August 2001, Chitose released her second mini-album with Augusta Records entitled , this time featuring five original tracks.
In 2002, she released her first major label single on Epic Records - . It was the third highest selling single of the year behind only Hikaru Utada's "traveling
", and Ayumi Hamasaki
's "H
", selling an estimated 850,000 copies. Three months later, she released a brand new single, . While also very popular, it was not nearly the success that her first single was, although it did help to cement her as a permanent artist.
Her first major album, , followed later in the year. It sold 800,000 copies, charted for 57 weeks, and was the 16th highest selling album of the year.
She released three more singles before her second major album, , was released in 2003. Shortly after a concert tour, and the release of a live album and DVD in 2004, Hajime announced that she would be getting married, and was to have her first child in 2005.
She returned to the music industry in November 2005 with the single , the ending theme for the anime BLOOD+
. The single was a hit, reaching #12 on the Oricon
charts. She followed this success with , the ending theme for the anime AYAKASHI - Japanese Classic Horror. The single sold 6,050 copies in its first week, and remained on the charts for seven weeks total. A third single, "Ao no Requiem" (青のレクイエ), was the theme song for the Studio GAGA film Hatsukoi. The following week, Hajime released her third original major album, . A limited edition version featured a 13th track, with Ryuichi Sakamoto
), as well as a DVD containing the music videos for "Kataritsugu Koto", and "Haru no Katami".
Following , Hajime took an extended break to spend time with her family and moving to Okinawa. She returned in 2008 with the release of "CASSINI" (カッシーニ), based on the theme of "family and bonding."
In August 2010 she released two albums simultaneously, the Japanese language "Orient" and the English language "Occident."
Side A
Side B
The songs in the two albums above are folk music
songs of Amami Islands
sung in Amami language
.
Disc 1
Disc 2
Music Film track list
Bonus Live Material
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. She is from Amami Ōshima
Amami Oshima
is a semi-tropical island in the Amami Islands, which is part of the larger Nansei Islands in Japan. Ōshima literally means big island, and it is the largest of the Amami Islands. It lies roughly halfway between the islands of Okinawa and Kyūshū. Briefly part of the Ryūkyū Kingdom, in 1624 it was...
and sings in a style particular to that region, with distinctive falsetto
Falsetto
Falsetto is the vocal register occupying the frequency range just above the modal voice register and overlapping with it by approximately one octave. It is produced by the vibration of the ligamentous edges of the vocal folds, in whole or in part...
effects.
Early life
Chitose Hajime began learning shamisenShamisen
The , also called is a three-stringed, Japanese musical instrument played with a plectrum called a bachi. The Japanese pronunciation is usually "shamisen" but sometimes "jamisen" when used as a suffix . -Construction:The shamisen is a plucked stringed instrument...
under her mother's encouragement from a young age. At age 10 she began to pick up "Shima-Uta" [island songs], a style of singing passed down through generations and part of the Ryukyuan music tradition.
She won many folk song competitions during her teens, traveling to events across Japan. She released two traditional folk albums on cassette on an indie label, the first at age 15, and at age 18 was approached by numerous record labels following a grand prize win at a local folk song contest. Stating in a later interview that she was "suspicious of them," she decided not to join the labels or pursue music and instead chose to study to become a beautician following in the footsteps of her older sister. She moved to Osaka in 1998. However, Hajime suffered from asthma and had severe allergic reactions to many of the chemicals used by beauticians. She withdrew from school, but before returning home to Amami Ōshima
Amami Oshima
is a semi-tropical island in the Amami Islands, which is part of the larger Nansei Islands in Japan. Ōshima literally means big island, and it is the largest of the Amami Islands. It lies roughly halfway between the islands of Okinawa and Kyūshū. Briefly part of the Ryūkyū Kingdom, in 1624 it was...
, contacted artist management company Office Augusta, the only company who had gone all the way to visit her on her home island during the flurry to sign Hajime at age 18.
Music career
In March 2001, she released a self titled mini-album through Augusta Records. The album of cover versions included three English-language songs originally by Carole KingCarole King
Carole King is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. King and her former husband Gerry Goffin wrote more than two dozen chart hits for numerous artists during the 1960s, many of which have become standards. As a singer, King had an album, Tapestry, top the U.S...
and Velvet Underground, but was so well received that Hajime was pushed to release another mini-album less than five months later. In August 2001, Chitose released her second mini-album with Augusta Records entitled , this time featuring five original tracks.
In 2002, she released her first major label single on Epic Records - . It was the third highest selling single of the year behind only Hikaru Utada's "traveling
Traveling (single)
"Traveling" is the 9th Japanese-language single by Hikaru Utada and 2nd single on the Deep River album. It was released on November 28, 2001. It hit #1 on the Oricon chart, selling 277,100 in its first week. It has sold 856,000 copies. "Traveling" was released in two versions: CD and DVD. It was...
", and Ayumi Hamasaki
Ayumi Hamasaki
is a Japanese singer-songwriter, record producer, model, lyricist, and actress. Also called "Ayu" by her fans, Hamasaki has been dubbed the "Empress of Pop" because of her popularity and widespread influence in Japan and throughout Asia. Born and raised in Fukuoka, she moved to Tokyo at fourteen to...
's "H
H (song)
H is the twenty-seventh single released by Ayumi Hamasaki on July 24, 2002. The single included three A-sides, and was the top-selling single of 2002 in Japan and the only one to sell over a million copies that year...
", selling an estimated 850,000 copies. Three months later, she released a brand new single, . While also very popular, it was not nearly the success that her first single was, although it did help to cement her as a permanent artist.
Her first major album, , followed later in the year. It sold 800,000 copies, charted for 57 weeks, and was the 16th highest selling album of the year.
She released three more singles before her second major album, , was released in 2003. Shortly after a concert tour, and the release of a live album and DVD in 2004, Hajime announced that she would be getting married, and was to have her first child in 2005.
She returned to the music industry in November 2005 with the single , the ending theme for the anime BLOOD+
Blood+
Blood+, pronounced as "Blood Plus", is an anime series produced by Production I.G and Aniplex and directed by Junichi Fujisaku. The series premiered in Japan on Sony's anime satellite channel, Animax, as well as on terrestrial networks such as MBS, TBS, and RKB on October 8, 2005. The final episode...
. The single was a hit, reaching #12 on the Oricon
Oricon
, established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc...
charts. She followed this success with , the ending theme for the anime AYAKASHI - Japanese Classic Horror. The single sold 6,050 copies in its first week, and remained on the charts for seven weeks total. A third single, "Ao no Requiem" (青のレクイエ), was the theme song for the Studio GAGA film Hatsukoi. The following week, Hajime released her third original major album, . A limited edition version featured a 13th track, with Ryuichi Sakamoto
Ryuichi Sakamoto
After working as a session musician with Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi in 1977, the trio formed the internationally successful electronic music band Yellow Magic Orchestra in 1978. Known for their seminal influence on electronic music, the group helped pioneer electronic genres such as...
), as well as a DVD containing the music videos for "Kataritsugu Koto", and "Haru no Katami".
Following , Hajime took an extended break to spend time with her family and moving to Okinawa. She returned in 2008 with the release of "CASSINI" (カッシーニ), based on the theme of "family and bonding."
In August 2010 she released two albums simultaneously, the Japanese language "Orient" and the English language "Occident."
Influence
Studies have revealed that her particular style of singing, including aspects of traditional Amami-Ōshima music, has a relaxing effect that has been observed in electroencephalograms taken from the brains of people listening to her singing.Indie albums
- [1994.08.12] Higya Merabe (ひぎゃ女童) - Cassette Tape, Central Gakki Records
Side A
- Naga Asabana Bushi (長朝花節)
- Shonjoshu Bushi (俊良主節)
- Kurudando Bushi (くるだんど節)
- Magaryo Takajichi Bushi (曲がりょ高頂節)
- Rankan Boshi Bushi (らんかん橋節)
- Amagurumi Bushi (雨黒み節)
- Shumichi Nagahama Bushi (塩道長浜節)
- Honen Bushi (豊年節)
- Komori Uta (子守唄)
Side B
- Yukyunnya Kana Bushi (行きゅんにゃ加那節)
- Nagakumo Bushi (長雲節)
- Shunkane Bushi (シュンカネ節)
- Yoisura Bushi (ヨイスラ節)
- Kunnyori Yoneago Bushi (国直よね姉節)
- Kantsume Bushi (かんつめ節)
- Shogachi Gin (正月着物)
- Choukikujo (ちょうきく女節)
- Mucha Kana Bushi (むちゃ加那節)
- [2002.06.09] Shima • Kyora • Umui (故郷・美ら・思い) - originally released in 1997, it was re-released in 2002 by Central Gakki Records
- Asakasetsu (朝花節)
- Nagatomohanasetsu (長朝花節)
- Shonjoshusetsu (俊良主節)
- Kurudandosetsu (くるだんど節)
- Kantsumesetsu (かんつめ節)
- Shonkanesetsu (シュンカネ節)
- Rankanhashisetsu (らんかん橋節)
- Amekurumisetsu (雨黒み節)
- Shusetsunagahamasetsu (塩道長浜節)
- Yoshinori Nabe Kanasetsu (嘉徳なべ加那節)
- Kunnyoriyoneagosetsu (国直よね姉節)
- Osakumosetsu (長雲節)
- Mucha Kanasetsu (むちゃ加那節)
- Chookikujosetsu (ちょうきく女節)
- Itoayatsurisetsu (糸繰り節)
- Yoisurasetsu (ヨイスラ節)
- Ikyonnyakanasetsu (行きゅんにゃ加那節)
- Ikyooresetsu (行きょうれ節)
- Kubamehasetsu (くばぬ葉節)
- Magaryo Takachidjisetsu (曲がりょ高頂節)
- Shoogatsugin (正月着物)
- Hoonensetsu (豊年節)
The songs in the two albums above are folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
songs of Amami Islands
Amami Islands
The are a group of islands that is part of the Satsunan Islands, which are then part of the Nansei Islands. The islands are part of Kagoshima Prefecture, in the Kyūshū region of Japan...
sung in Amami language
Amami language
The Amami language Shimayumuta) is spoken in the Amami Islands south of Kyūshū. The number of competent native speakers is not known, but native speakers can be found mostly among old people—as a result of Japanese language policy, the younger generations speaks mostly Japanese as their first...
.
- [2001.03.10] Hajime Chitose - mini album, Augusta Records
- Birthday
- Namae no nai Tori (名前のない鳥)
- Sweet Jane
- Little Wing
- Fuyu no Sanitorium (冬のサナトリウム)
- Home Again
- [2001.08.01] Kotonoha (コトノハ) - mini album, Augusta Records
- Kotonoha (コトノハ)
- Yakusoku (約束)
- Ryuuguu no Tsukai (竜宮の使い)
- Seirei (精霊)
- Sanhachigatsu (三八月)
Major albums
- [2002.07.10] Hainumikaze (ハイヌミカゼ)
- Sango Jugoya (サンゴ十五夜)
- Wadatsumi no Ki (ワダツミの木)
- Natsu no Utage (夏の宴)
- Hikaru Kaigara (ひかる・かいがら)
- Shinshin Raika (心神雷火)
- 37.6
- Hatsukoi (初恋)
- Hainumikaze (ハイヌミカゼ)
- Kimi wo Omou (君ヲ想フ)
- Rinto Suru (凛とする)
- [2003.09.03] Nomad Soul (ノマド・ソウル)
- Triangle (トライアングル)
- Neiro Nanairo (音色七色)
- Sen no Yoru to Sen no Hiru (千の夜と千の昼)
- Itsuka Kaze ni Naru Hi (いつか風になる日)
- Hisui (翡翠)
- Aurora Sora Kara Mitsumete Iru (オーロラの空から見つめている)
- Kono Machi (この街)
- Getsurei 17.4 (月齢１７．４)
- Yuri Collection (百合コレクション)
- Uragano Oka (ウルガの丘)
- [2004.08.04] Fuyu no Hainumikaze (冬のハイヌミカゼ) - Double Disc Live Album
Disc 1
- Kotonoha
- Triangle
- Byakuya
- Aurora no Sora kara Mitsumete Iru
- Getsurei 17.4
- Hainumikaze
- Kimi wo Omou
- Yuri Collection
- Yoru ni Yomeru Uta
- Namae no Nai Tori
- 37.6
- Shooryoo
- Kono Machi
Disc 2
- Sango Jugoya
- Shinshi Raika
- Sanpono no Susume
- Hummingbird
- Neiro Nanairo
- Wadatsumi no Ki
- Sen no Yoru to Sen no Hiru
- Itsuka Kaze ni Naru Hi
- Mihachigatsu
- Uruga no Oka
- Hikaru Kaigara
- [2006.05.10] Hanadairo (ハナダイロ)
- Hitsuji no Dolly (羊のドリー)
- Maebure (前兆)
- Ao no Requiem (青のレクイエム) - theme song of a film "Hatsukoi / (First Love)" of Aoi MiyazakiAoi Miyazakiis a Japanese actress. She is best known for her pure image and roles such as in Nana and Virgin Snow. Her brother Masaru Miyazaki is an actor, and they starred together in the film Hatsukoi. She married Sosuke Takaoka on June 15, 2007, her partner since she was fifteen.-Career:Miyazaki started...
- Written and Composed by Sadayoshi Okamoto, - Arranged by COILCoilA coil is a series of loops. A coiled coil is a structure in which the coil itself is in turn also looping.-Electromagnetic coils:An electromagnetic coil is formed when a conductor is wound around a core or form to create an inductor or electromagnet... - Yomihitoshirazu (詠み人知らず)
- Hanadairo (はなだいろ)
- Haru no Katami (春のかたみ) - theme song of Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales
- Wrtten and Composed by Yumi MatsutoyaYumi Matsutoya', nicknamed , is an influential Japanese singer, composer, lyricist and pianist. She is renowned for her idiosyncratic voice, and live performances, and is an important figure in Japanese popular music....
, - Arranged by Masataka MatsutoyaMasataka Matsutoyais a Japanese arranger, composer, music producer, and motor journalist. He currently resides in Setagaya, Tokyo. He is a graduate of Keio Senior High School and Keio University. Aliases include and... - Tsuyukusa no Yoru (蛍草の夜)
- Kyouryuu no Egaki Gata (恐竜の描き方)
- Reimei (黎明)
- Amurita (甘露)
- Kaze to Uta to Inori (風と歌と祈り)
- Kataritsugu Koto (語り継ぐこと) - ending theme song of Blood+Blood+Blood+, pronounced as "Blood Plus", is an anime series produced by Production I.G and Aniplex and directed by Junichi Fujisaku. The series premiered in Japan on Sony's anime satellite channel, Animax, as well as on terrestrial networks such as MBS, TBS, and RKB on October 8, 2005. The final episode...
- Written by HUSSY R, - Composed, Arranged by Tashika Yuuichi, - Arranged by Shintarō TokitaShintaro Tokitais a member of the J-pop band, Sukima Switch. He was born February 25, 1978 in Nagoya, Aichi. He has also produced Chitose Hajime's comeback single "Kataritsugu Koto", ending theme to Blood+. He enjoys soccer, judo and skiing. He especially loves music... - Shinda Onna no Ko (死んだ女の子) / (The Dead Little Girl)
- Written by TurkishTurkeyTurkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
poet Nâzım HikmetNazim HikmetNâzım Hikmet Ran , commonly known as Nâzım Hikmet , was a Turkish poet, playwright, novelist and memoirist. He was acclaimed for the "lyrical flow of his statements"...
, - Translated by Nobuyuki Nakamoto, - Composed by Yuzo Sotoyama, - Produced and played piano by Ryuichi SakamotoRyuichi SakamotoAfter working as a session musician with Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi in 1977, the trio formed the internationally successful electronic music band Yellow Magic Orchestra in 1978. Known for their seminal influence on electronic music, the group helped pioneer electronic genres such as...
- [2008.07.16] CASSINI (カッシーニ)
- Cassini (カッシーニ)
- Megumi no Ame (恵みの雨)
- Anata ga Koko ni Ite Hoshii (あなたがここにいてほしい)
- Kasei Kuru Kuru (カセイクルクル)
- Hotaru Boshi (蛍星) - Produced, Written and Composed by Shintarō TokitaShintaro Tokitais a member of the J-pop band, Sukima Switch. He was born February 25, 1978 in Nagoya, Aichi. He has also produced Chitose Hajime's comeback single "Kataritsugu Koto", ending theme to Blood+. He enjoys soccer, judo and skiing. He especially loves music...
from Sukima SwitchSukima Switchis a Japanese jazz fusion duo consisting of core members , born May 9, 1978, and , born February 25, 1978, formed in 2003. Formerly with BMG Japan , they signed with Sony Music Japan's Ariola Japan label in September 2009.-History:... - Akakokko (あかこっこ)
- Miyori no Mori (ミヨリの森)
- Niji ga Umareru Kuni (虹が生まれる国) - Produced by Paddy MoloneyPaddy MoloneyPaddy Moloney is one of the founders of the Irish musical group The Chieftains and has played on every one of their albums.He was born in Donnycarney in Dublin. His mother bought him a tin whistle when he was six and at the age of eight he started to learn the Uilleann pipes. He also plays button...
from the ChieftainsThe ChieftainsThe Chieftains are a Grammy-winning Irish musical group founded in 1962, best known for being one of the first bands to make Irish traditional music popular around the world.-Name:... - Rokko Ballad (六花譚)
- Tama Yura (玉響) (たまゆら)
- Seiya Kyoku (静夜曲)
- Sora ni Saku (空に咲く花) / (Flower in the Sky) - theme song of a drama "Boushi / (Caps/Hats)"
- Written by Yoko Maruyama, - Supported by HUSSY R, - Composed by Yuichi Tajika, Yoshinobu Morikawa, Arranged by Takumi Mamiya
Singles
- [2002.02.06] Wadatsumi no Ki (ワダツミの木)
- Wadatsumi no Ki (ワダツミの木)
- Maboroshi no Tsuki (幻の月)
- Yoru ni Yomeru Uta (夜に詠める うた)
- [2002.05.22] Kimi wo Omou (君ヲ想フ)
- Kimi o Omou ( 君ヲ想フ)
- Oyasumi (おやすみ)
- BLUE
- [2002.11.07] Kono Machi (この街)
- Kono Machi (この街)
- Hummingbird (ハミングバード)
- Rinto Suru -strings version- (凛とする－strings version－)
- [2003.06.11] Sen no Yoru to Sen no Hiru (千の夜と千の昼)
- Sen no Yoru to Sen no Hiru (千の夜と千の昼)
- Byakuya (白夜)
- TRUE COLOURS
- [2003.08.13] Itsuka Kaze ni Naru Hi (いつか風になる日)
- Itsuka Kaze ni Naru Hi (いつか風になる日)
- Sanpono no Susume (散歩のススメ)
- [2005.11.23] Kataritsugu Koto (語り継ぐこと)
- Kataritsugu Koto (語り継ぐこと)
- Tsuki wo Nusumu (月を盗む)
- Happiness is a Warm Gun
- [2006.03.08] Haru no Katami (春のかたみ)
- Haru no Katami (春のかたみ)
- Ai to Iu Na no Okurimono (愛という名の贈りもの)
- Perfect
- [2006.05.03] Ao no Requiem (青のレクイエ)
- Ao no Requiem (青のレクイエム)
- Tooku e Ikitai (遠くへ行きたい)
- [2007.08.22] Anata ga Koko ni Ite Hoshii/Miyori no Mori (あなたがここにいてほしい/ミヨリの森)
- Anata ga Koko ni Ite Hoshii (あなたがここにいてほしい)
- Miyori no Mori (ミヨリの森)
- Bojou Love is a Many Splendored Thing (慕情 Love is a many splendored thing)
- Ushinawareta Mono-tachi e (失われたものたちへ)
- [2008.07.02/ Hotaru boshi (蛍星)
- Hotaru boshi (蛍星)
- Siuil A run
- Yasashii uta (やさしいうた)
DVD
- [2004.08.04] Music Film Hajime Chitose Live - Fuyu no Hainumikaze (ミュージック・フィルム 元ちとせライヴ「冬のハイヌミカゼ」) - DVD Featuring Live Performances and a 'Music Film' of Chitose in Amami O-Shima
Music Film track list
- Kotonoha (コトノハ)
- Triangle (トライアングル)
- Hainumikaze (ハイヌミカゼ)
- Kimi o Omou (君ヲ想フ)
- Yuri Collection (百合コレクション)
- Hikaru Kaigara (ひかるかいがら)
- Seirei (精霊)
- Kono Machi (この街)
- Shinshin Raika (心神雷火)
- 37.6
- Wadatsumi no Ki (ワダツミの木)
- Sen no Yoru to Sen no Hiru (千の夜と千の昼)
- Itsuka Kaze ni Naru Hi (いつか風になる日)
Bonus Live Material
- Kotonoha (コトノハ)
- Triangle (トライアングル)
- Getsurei 17.4 (月齢 17.4)
- Yoru ni Yomeru Uta (夜に詠める歌)
- 37.6
- Seirei (精霊)
- Sango Jugoya (サンゴ十五夜)
- Sanpo no Susume (散歩のススメ)
- Hummingbird (ハミングバード)
- Neiro Nanairo (音色七色)
- Wadatsumi no Ki (ワダツミの木)
- Itsuka Kaze ni Naru Hi (いつか風になる日)
- Sanhachigatsu (三八月)
- Uruga no Oka (ウルガの丘)