Hōsei Yamasaki
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese solo comedian and a member of Yoshimoto Kogyo
’s extensive owarai
lineup. He is best known for being one of the five members (and the only solo comedian) of Downtown Gaki no Tsukai
’s regular cast. His role on the show is usually divided up between the suberi-kyara and the ijime-kyara. He plays the piano in his spare time, and his musical talent has been the focus of the Yamasaki Producer series wherein he composes pieces and has the other members perform them.
Outside of Gaki no Tsukai, he has released two books, a CD single of his signature "Yamazaki Ichi-ban!" song, and has appeared in several Yoshimoto Kogyo compilations and DVD releases.
Yamasaki’s persona on the show (and in the owarai community in general) is of the unfunny underdog who tries very hard to be funny, but fails. His failure is always accentuated by a snide tsukkomi remark from one of the other members of the show. Though his jokes may be amusing, members will intentionally stifle their laughter to satisfy the running gag.
Of all the members of Gaki no Tsukai, Yamasaki takes the most physical abuse. The entire series, “Yamasaki Vs. Moriman”, is based around a series of bizarre wrestling matches in which Yamasaki always loses to the larger and powerful Holstein Morio from the comedy duo, Moriman. The content of the matches changes with each battle, but past matches have found the two tossing hot cooking oil at one another, trying to force each other into a tub of blue kakigori (Japanese shaved ice) syrup, and whacking one another with thick burdock
roots.
During Endō’s “Chiaki
Audition” (in which he attempted to find a replacement for his ex-wife), Yamasaki was selected as the victim by all but one of the women when Endō asked the women to demonstrate their slapping ability.
Every year since 2007 during the “No Laughing” New Years Specials, Yamasaki inevitably comes face to face with an irate Masahiro Chono
; a former pro-wrestler, and is slapped with surprising force.
Matsumoto along with other staff members occasionally refer to him as “tottsuan-bouya”, which describes someone who is an adult but has a youthful face.
Yoshimoto Kogyo
is a major Japanese entertainment conglomerate, with its headquarters based in Osaka. It was founded in 1912 as a traditional theatre, and has since grown to be one of the most influential companies in Japan, employing most of Japan's popular owarai talent, producing and promoting the shows they...
’s extensive owarai
Owarai
is a broad word used to describe Japanese comedy as seen on television. The word owarai is the honorific form of the word warai, meaning "a laugh" or "a smile". Owarai is most common on Japanese variety shows and the comedians are referred to as owarai geinin or owarai tarento...
lineup. He is best known for being one of the five members (and the only solo comedian) of Downtown Gaki no Tsukai
Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!!
, often abbreviated , is a Japanese variety show hosted by the popular Japanese owarai duo, Downtown, with comedian Hōsei Yamasaki and owarai duo Cocorico co-hosting. The program has been broadcast on Nippon TV since its pilot episode on October 3, 1989, and continues to this day, celebrating its...
’s regular cast. His role on the show is usually divided up between the suberi-kyara and the ijime-kyara. He plays the piano in his spare time, and his musical talent has been the focus of the Yamasaki Producer series wherein he composes pieces and has the other members perform them.
Outside of Gaki no Tsukai, he has released two books, a CD single of his signature "Yamazaki Ichi-ban!" song, and has appeared in several Yoshimoto Kogyo compilations and DVD releases.
Suberi-kyara
Suberu literally means “to slip”, but in owarai lingo, “subetta” refers to a joke or gag that fails to grab any laughs or reaction. (Kyara, short for kyarakuta or character.)Yamasaki’s persona on the show (and in the owarai community in general) is of the unfunny underdog who tries very hard to be funny, but fails. His failure is always accentuated by a snide tsukkomi remark from one of the other members of the show. Though his jokes may be amusing, members will intentionally stifle their laughter to satisfy the running gag.
Ijime-kyara
(Ijimeru, to bully or pick on someone.)Of all the members of Gaki no Tsukai, Yamasaki takes the most physical abuse. The entire series, “Yamasaki Vs. Moriman”, is based around a series of bizarre wrestling matches in which Yamasaki always loses to the larger and powerful Holstein Morio from the comedy duo, Moriman. The content of the matches changes with each battle, but past matches have found the two tossing hot cooking oil at one another, trying to force each other into a tub of blue kakigori (Japanese shaved ice) syrup, and whacking one another with thick burdock
Burdock
Burdock is any of a group of biennial thistles in the genus Arctium, family Asteraceae. Native to the Old World, several species have been widely introduced worldwide....
roots.
During Endō’s “Chiaki
Chiaki (tarento)
, Full name , is a Japanese tarento whose career ranges from singing, baby clothes designing, to voice-acting etc.- Biography :Chiaki was born in Maizuru, Kyoto on October 26, 1971 as the daughter of the chairman of Nippon Sheet Glass. Due to her father's job, she moved to Ichihara, Chiba soon...
Audition” (in which he attempted to find a replacement for his ex-wife), Yamasaki was selected as the victim by all but one of the women when Endō asked the women to demonstrate their slapping ability.
Every year since 2007 during the “No Laughing” New Years Specials, Yamasaki inevitably comes face to face with an irate Masahiro Chono
Masahiro Chono
, is a Japanese professional wrestler. He primarily wrestles for New Japan Pro Wrestling , but has also made appearances for the now defunct World Championship Wrestling, as a member of the New World Order. Chono was also known as Mister Black Jack when he first started as a villain. He is a...
; a former pro-wrestler, and is slapped with surprising force.
Music
Yamasaki is the most musically apt member of the five, occasionally demonstrating his ability to compose, sing, and play the piano on the show. His own series, “Yamasaki Producer” demonstrates his ability to compose songs of many different genres while having the other cast members, and occasionally outsiders, perform them.Family
Yamasaki is married. He and his wife Aya have two daughters (momo). His wife once appeared in a “500 Questions” episode while he sat beside her. Aya answered questions in a bizarre fashion that the gaki guys had difficulty predicting her responses.Appearance
He, like the other members, changes his hairstyle almost yearly (with the exception of Matsumoto) but often returns to his trademark puffy-bowl-cut.Matsumoto along with other staff members occasionally refer to him as “tottsuan-bouya”, which describes someone who is an adult but has a youthful face.