Rimi Natsukawa
Encyclopedia
is an Okinawan singer. She is best known for her 2001 single "Nada Sōsō
."
, the largest city in the Yaeyama Islands
chain. From a young age she enjoyed singing, and wanted to be a singer after hearing her father sing Yaeyama folk songs, such as and . From 7 years old, she practised two hours everyday, with the help of her father, him training her up to be an enka
singer. At 9, she won a local singing contest (the ). Natsukawa continued to win competitions, and in 1984 won the MBS
TV show 's grand prize. In 1986, she won the 's grand prize (the youngest person to win this prize at the time).
, and started preparing for her debut. She debuted later in 1989 as an enka
singer with the name "Misato Hoshi," under Pony Canyon
. She released three singles in three years, and did not find much success.
Natsukawa felt defeated after this, and after living for four years in Tokyo, she moved back to Okinawa. She lived with her older sister in Naha, and helped out in her restaurant, singing for patrons daily. As patrons would travel quite a distance to hear her sing, she gradually regained her desire to be a singer.
In 1998, she appeared on an Okinawan radio show called as an assistant.
, and re-debuted with the single . She was finding similar success to her first debut, as neither of her first singles charted. While watching the news broadcast of the 26th G8 summit
held in Okinawa, Natsukawa watched a performance of Okinawan folk band Begin
perform a song called "Nada Sōsō
." She found she could not get it out of her head, and requested that she could cover the song backstage at a Begin concert. The song was released as her third single in March 2001.
Very slowly and steadily, the song started gaining popularity. It was a hit on Okinawan radio, and in May 2002 (over a year since its release) it first charted in the Oricon
top 100 singles charts. Natsukawa released an EP of Okinawan cover songs, Minamikaze
, in May, adding to the momentum. By June, the single had broken the top 50, and by July the top 20. Her debut album Tida: Tida Kaji nu Umui
was released in September. Natsukawa was asked to perform the song at the 2002 Kōhaku Uta Gassen
(New Year's song competition), which made the song break the top 10.
None of these three releases charted very highly, but they all charted extremely gradually. By the time Tida: Tida Kaji nu Umui and Minamikaze stopped charting (roughly two years later), they had sold 280,000/371,000 copies respectively. "Nada Sōsō" stopped charting a total of six years after its release, and sold over 680,000 copies.
Natsukawa released a string of Okinawan song-based released from this time until 2004. One of these, (a Misako Koja cover), was nominated for the Japan Record Award
. It was Natsukawa's biggest hit since Nada Sōsō, reaching the top 20.
(her second, Sora no Keshiki
, featured many original songs, but still centred around Okinawan folk songs). She started a trend in her music for collaborating with high profile musicians (Kazufumi Miyazawa, The Gospellers). Her 2005 follow-up, Ayakaji no Ne
, was similar, with Kentarō Kobuchi of Kobukuro
writing her single . Natsukawa's releases began dropping in sales, with "Sayōnara Arigatō" being her most recent top 50 single, with its 2006 re-release.
In 2006, she released a compilation album, Rimi Natsukawa Selection
, that was only for release in non-Japanese Asian countries. The album was a massive success in Taiwan, reaching #1 on the Taiwanese album charts.
In 2007, Natsukawa ended her contract with her production office. She continued to release music under Victor, however, such as her 5th album Umui Kaji
.
, her most successful release of her material since 2003.
Since this, Natsukawa has continued to release original material and compilations. Her second Uta Sagashi album was released in February 2010, and is her first bilingual Japanese/Chinese album.
Nada Sōsō
is a song written by Japanese band Begin and singer Ryoko Moriyama. It was first released by Moriyama in 1998, but achieved popularity through the cover version by Rimi Natsukawa in 2001.-Ryoko Moriyama version:...
."
Childhood
Natsukawa was born in IshigakiIshigaki, Okinawa
Ishigaki is an island west of Okinawa Hontō and the second-largest island of the Yaeyama Island group. It is within the City of Ishigaki in Okinawa Prefecture. The city functions as the business and transport center of the archipelago...
, the largest city in the Yaeyama Islands
Yaeyama Islands
The Yaeyama Islands are a group of islands in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan.The isles are the remotest part of Japan from the main islands and contains Japan's most southern and most western inhabited islands.The islands form the southern part of the volcanic Nansei Islands...
chain. From a young age she enjoyed singing, and wanted to be a singer after hearing her father sing Yaeyama folk songs, such as and . From 7 years old, she practised two hours everyday, with the help of her father, him training her up to be an enka
Enka
is a popular Japanese music genre considered to resemble traditional Japanese music stylistically. Modern enka, however, is a relatively recent musical form which arose in the context of such postwar expressions of modern Japanese nonmaterial nationalism as nihonjinron, while adopting a more...
singer. At 9, she won a local singing contest (the ). Natsukawa continued to win competitions, and in 1984 won the MBS
Mainichi Broadcasting System
is a broadcasting station in Osaka, Japan, affiliated with Japan Radio Network , National Radio Network , Japan News Network and TBS Network, serving in the Kansai region. MBS is also one of the major stockholders of Tokyo Broadcasting System Holdings, Inc...
TV show 's grand prize. In 1986, she won the 's grand prize (the youngest person to win this prize at the time).
Pony Canyon debut
Natsukawa, by chance, was scouted shortly after winning the competition at 13 years old. She moved to TokyoTokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, and started preparing for her debut. She debuted later in 1989 as an enka
Enka
is a popular Japanese music genre considered to resemble traditional Japanese music stylistically. Modern enka, however, is a relatively recent musical form which arose in the context of such postwar expressions of modern Japanese nonmaterial nationalism as nihonjinron, while adopting a more...
singer with the name "Misato Hoshi," under Pony Canyon
Pony Canyon
is a Japanese company, established on October 1, 1966 , which publishes music, DVD and VHS videos, movies and video games. It is a subsidiary of Japanese Media Group, Fujisankei Communications Group.-History:...
. She released three singles in three years, and did not find much success.
Natsukawa felt defeated after this, and after living for four years in Tokyo, she moved back to Okinawa. She lived with her older sister in Naha, and helped out in her restaurant, singing for patrons daily. As patrons would travel quite a distance to hear her sing, she gradually regained her desire to be a singer.
In 1998, she appeared on an Okinawan radio show called as an assistant.
Re-debut
Natsukawa's musical director from her Pony Canyon days decided to set up a music production company for her, and in 1999 asked if she could return to the capital. She was soon signed under Victor EntertainmentVictor Entertainment
is a subsidiary of Japan Victor Company that produces and distributes music, movies and other entertainment products such as anime and television shows in Japan. It was formerly known as...
, and re-debuted with the single . She was finding similar success to her first debut, as neither of her first singles charted. While watching the news broadcast of the 26th G8 summit
26th G8 summit
The 26th G8 Summit was a political summit that took place in Nago, Okinawa, Japan, on July 21- July 23, 2000.-Overview:The Group of Seven was an unofficial forum which brought together the heads of the richest industrialized countries: France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United...
held in Okinawa, Natsukawa watched a performance of Okinawan folk band Begin
Begin (band)
is a Japanese pop group from Ishigaki Island in the Yaeyama Islands of Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Their sound contains many elements of traditional Ryukyuan folk music, and prominently features the sanshin.-History:...
perform a song called "Nada Sōsō
Nada Sōsō
is a song written by Japanese band Begin and singer Ryoko Moriyama. It was first released by Moriyama in 1998, but achieved popularity through the cover version by Rimi Natsukawa in 2001.-Ryoko Moriyama version:...
." She found she could not get it out of her head, and requested that she could cover the song backstage at a Begin concert. The song was released as her third single in March 2001.
Very slowly and steadily, the song started gaining popularity. It was a hit on Okinawan radio, and in May 2002 (over a year since its release) it first charted in 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...
top 100 singles charts. Natsukawa released an EP of Okinawan cover songs, Minamikaze
Minamikaze
-Japan Sales Rankings:...
, in May, adding to the momentum. By June, the single had broken the top 50, and by July the top 20. Her debut album Tida: Tida Kaji nu Umui
Tida: Tida Kaji nu Umui
-Japan Sales Rankings:...
was released in September. Natsukawa was asked to perform the song at the 2002 Kōhaku Uta Gassen
Kohaku Uta Gassen
, more commonly known as simply Kōhaku, is an annual music show on New Year's Eve produced by Japanese public broadcaster NHK and broadcast on both television and radio, nationally and internationally by NHK's networks and some overseas broadcasters which bought the program...
(New Year's song competition), which made the song break the top 10.
None of these three releases charted very highly, but they all charted extremely gradually. By the time Tida: Tida Kaji nu Umui and Minamikaze stopped charting (roughly two years later), they had sold 280,000/371,000 copies respectively. "Nada Sōsō" stopped charting a total of six years after its release, and sold over 680,000 copies.
Natsukawa released a string of Okinawan song-based released from this time until 2004. One of these, (a Misako Koja cover), was nominated for the Japan Record Award
Japan Record Award
for outstanding achievements in the Japan Composer's Association, is major music awards show held annually in Japan.- Categories :The Japan Record Award are four awards which are not restricted by genre....
. It was Natsukawa's biggest hit since Nada Sōsō, reaching the top 20.
Original song move
In 2004, Natsukawa's music changed to centre more around original songs, with her third album Kaze no MichiKaze no Michi
-Japan Sales Rankings:...
(her second, Sora no Keshiki
Sora no Keshiki
-Japan Sales Rankings:...
, featured many original songs, but still centred around Okinawan folk songs). She started a trend in her music for collaborating with high profile musicians (Kazufumi Miyazawa, The Gospellers). Her 2005 follow-up, Ayakaji no Ne
Ayakaji no Ne
-Japan Sales Rankings:...
, was similar, with Kentarō Kobuchi of Kobukuro
Kobukuro
is a Japanese band, which formed in 1998 and made its major label debut in 2001. The name is a portmanteau of the two family names, Kentarō Kobuchi and Shunsuke Kuroda.- Members :...
writing her single . Natsukawa's releases began dropping in sales, with "Sayōnara Arigatō" being her most recent top 50 single, with its 2006 re-release.
In 2006, she released a compilation album, Rimi Natsukawa Selection
Rimi Natsukawa Selection
-DVD Tracklist:...
, that was only for release in non-Japanese Asian countries. The album was a massive success in Taiwan, reaching #1 on the Taiwanese album charts.
In 2007, Natsukawa ended her contract with her production office. She continued to release music under Victor, however, such as her 5th album Umui Kaji
Umui Kaji
-Japan Sales Rankings:...
.
Song Search
At Natsukawa's concerts and at her website, she began asking for submissions from fans for songs they would like to hear her cover. The result of this was the project, where Natsukawa worked on covering mainly Japanese popular songs. This resulted in the album Uta Sagashi: Request Cover AlbumUta Sagashi: Request Cover Album
-Japan Sales Rankings:...
, her most successful release of her material since 2003.
Since this, Natsukawa has continued to release original material and compilations. Her second Uta Sagashi album was released in February 2010, and is her first bilingual Japanese/Chinese album.
Personal life
Natsukawa married percussionist Masaaki Tamaki (玉木正昭) on January 1, 2009. Their first child, a boy, was born on August 20, 2010.Studio albums
- 2002: Tida: Tida Kaji nu UmuiTida: Tida Kaji nu Umui-Japan Sales Rankings:...
- 2003: Sora no KeshikiSora no Keshiki-Japan Sales Rankings:...
- 2004: Kaze no MichiKaze no Michi-Japan Sales Rankings:...
- 2005: Ayakaji no NeAyakaji no Ne-Japan Sales Rankings:...
- 2007: Umui KajiUmui Kaji-Japan Sales Rankings:...
- 2009: Kokoro no UtaKokoro no Uta-Japan Sales Rankings:...
Cover albums
- 2002: MinamikazeMinamikaze-Japan Sales Rankings:...
(EPExtended playAn EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
) - 2003: FamureutaFamureuta-Japan Sales Rankings:...
(EP) - 2007: Uta Sagashi: Request Cover AlbumUta Sagashi: Request Cover Album-Japan Sales Rankings:...
- 2010: Uta Sagashi: Asia no Kaze
Compilation albums
- 2004: Okinawa no KazeOkinawa no Kaze-Japan Sales Rankings:...
- 2005: Rimi Natsukawa Single Collection Vol. 1Rimi Natsukawa Single Collection Vol. 1-Japan Sales Rankings:...
- 2006: Rimits: Best Duet SongsRimits: Best Duet Songs-Japan Sales Rankings:...
- 2006: Rimi Natsukawa SelectionRimi Natsukawa Selection-DVD Tracklist:...
- 2008: Ai no Uta: Self-Selection Best
- 2009: Okinawa Uta: Chikyū no Kaze o KanjiteOkinawa Uta: Chikyū no Kaze o Kanjite-Japan Sales Rankings:...
- 2010: Misato Hoshi Best Collection
Top 50 singles
- 2001: Nada SōsōNada Sōsōis a song written by Japanese band Begin and singer Ryoko Moriyama. It was first released by Moriyama in 1998, but achieved popularity through the cover version by Rimi Natsukawa in 2001.-Ryoko Moriyama version:...
- 2003: Michishirube
- 2003: Tori yo
- 2003: Warabigami (Yamatoguchi)
- 2004: Kana yo Kana yo
- 2004: Kokoro Tsutae
- 2005: Sayōnara Arigatō
- 2006: Sayōnara Arigatō (Ama no Kaze)/Mirai