Japanese Literary Awards

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Haruomi Hosono

ほその はるおみ

Hosono Haruomi

Aliases: ハリー / ハリー細野 / 宇野主水 / 西原朱夏 / チャーハン細野
Pen Names: Uno Mondo（Alternate credit name (used e.g. when credited as a drummer)）, Harry（Nickname / stage name）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1947-07-09 （Minato, Tokyo, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Sayama, Saitama (former home / "America Village") → Minato, Tokyo, Japan

Career

Occupations
Musician, Bassist, Singer-songwriter, Composer, Arranger, Music producer
Active Years
1969-
Influenced By
Bob Dylan, Martin Denny
Influenced
Technopop artists, Japanese pop / electronica generations

Education

Rikkyo University
Faculty of Sociology / Industrial Relations
Country: Japan
Decided to pursue music while at university; graduated from the faculty (year unspecified)

Awards

Art Encouragement Prize (Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award)
2008
Category: 大衆芸能部門
Organization: Agency for Cultural Affairs
Result: 受賞
Asahi Prize
2020
Organization: The Asahi Shimbun Company
Result: 受賞
Kinema Junpo Readers' Award
2015
Work: Column series "Listen to Movies"
Organization: Kinema Junpo
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

HOSONO HOUSE

1973 Rock / Folk (solo album)

Hosono's solo debut recorded at his Sayama home; it inaugurated his eclectic solo direction.

Homemade recording aestheticBlend of folk and pop

Tropical Dandy

1975 Tropical / World music

First of the 'tropical' trilogy; mixes New Orleans, Okinawan and other global influences.

Paradise imageryCross-cultural musical fusion

Night on the Galactic Railroad (soundtrack)

1985 Film soundtrack

Soundtrack for the animated film; acclaimed for its lyrical pieces closely tied to the visuals.

LyricismFantastical elements

Super Xevious (arrangement / related release)

1984 Video game music arrangement

Worked on arranging the video game 'Xevious' music into dance-oriented forms; notable contribution to game music.

Electronic musicReconstruction / remixing

Bibliography

  • The Record Producer Aims to Be a Superman
  • Stairway of the Horizon
  • Diary of a Music Boy Adrift
  • Ambient Driver

Adaptations

  • NO SMOKING (documentary film centered on Hosono Haruomi)
  • Undercurrent (film soundtrack / reconstructed material release)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Multicultural arrangements and experimental productionAmbient-oriented texture-focused approach
Recurring Motifs
Paradise / tropical imageryFusion of electronic and acoustic soundsTravel and nostalgia

Health

  • Smoking habit
    長年（若年期〜中年期）
    According to Hosono, smoking affected his voice and lifestyle; in later years passive smoking measures changed his environment

Legacy

A key figure in Japanese pop, technopop and world-music fusion. Through YMO and his solo "tropical" trilogy he influenced music both in Japan and abroad.

Academic Societies

  • Visiting professor, Faculty of Popular Culture, Kyoto Seika University

Archives

  • Held by record companies and personal archives (including rare live recordings)

In Popular Culture

  • Multiple tribute albums and live tributes celebrating his work
  • Numerous film and TV music contributions / appearances (e.g. Night on the Galactic Railroad, Shoplifters, NO SMOKING)

Quotes

  • I've been persecuted for a long time already
    Source: Interview (comment on passive smoking and smoking bans) (2021)

Trivia

  • His paternal grandfather, Masafumi Hosono, is known as one of the Japanese passengers aboard the Titanic's maiden voyage.
  • A multi-instrumentalist (bass, guitar, piano, marimba, shamisen, etc.).
  • Founded his own label 'daisyworld discs' in 1996.