Japanese Literary Awards

← Back to Home

Izumi Yukimura

ゆきむら いづみ

Yukimura Izumi

Pen Names: Izumi Yukimura（Stage name (real name: Tomoko Asahina)）

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1937-03-20 （Oookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan (formerly Tokyo City, Tokyo Prefecture)）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Religion
Soka Gakkai
Residence History
Oookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Career

Occupations
singer, actress, painter
Active Years
1952-
Affiliations
Japan Singers Association (advisor)
Memberships
Soka Gakkai

Awards

Berlin International Film Festival — Special Press Award
1957
Organization: Berlin International Film Festival
Result: 受賞
Nemu Popular Festival '70 — Grand Prix
1970
Work: Namida ("Tears")
Organization: Nemu Popular Festival (related to Yamaha Music Foundation)
Result: 受賞（グランプリ）
Tokyo International World Song Festival — Singing Grand Prix
1970
Work: Namida ("Tears")
Organization: Tokyo International Song Festival (World Song Festival)
Result: 受賞（歌唱グランプリ）
1st Tokyo Music Festival — Grand Prix
1972
Work: I Will Not Cry ("Watashi wa Nakanai")
Organization: Tokyo Music Festival
Result: 受賞（グランプリ）
Agency for Cultural Affairs Arts Festival — Excellent Award
1982
Work: Musical 'Tabidate Onnatachi' ("Women Who Depart")
Organization: Agency for Cultural Affairs Arts Festival
Result: 受賞（優秀賞）
Agency for Cultural Affairs Arts Festival — Grand Prize
1983
Work: Recital 'My Song, My Life'
Organization: Agency for Cultural Affairs Arts Festival
Result: 受賞（大賞）
Purple Ribbon Medal (Shiju-hosho)
1998
Organization: Government of Japan
Result: 受章
Japan Record Awards — Achievement Award
2004
Organization: Japan Record Awards
Result: 受賞（功労賞）
Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays
2007
Organization: Government of Japan
Result: 受章

Awards & Nominations

Art Encouragement Prize for Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology 1 appearances
  1. Edition 44 (1994) 受賞
    Work: クッキング・ガール

    クッキング・ガール is an honored artistic work or activity associated with 雪村いづみ. No standalone book or paperback publication could be confirmed, so it is best understood as a performance, exhibition, or related artistic achievement.

    クッキング・ガール is the work by 雪村いづみ recognized by the award.

    arts awardcreative practiceperformance or exhibition

Works

Major Works

Till I Waltz Again with You ("Omoide no Waltz")

1953 pop / popular song

Her debut record and an early major hit that propelled Izumi Yukimura to stardom.

youthnostalgia

Namida ("Tears")

1970 popular / kayōkyoku

A 1970 song that won the Grand Prix at the Nemu Popular Festival '70.

emotional expressionmessage song

I Will Not Cry ("Watashi wa Nakanai")

1972 pop / kayōkyoku

The song that won the Grand Prix at the 1972 Tokyo Music Festival; one of Yukimura's representative ballads.

strengthsadness and rebirth

Super Generation

1974 album (pop)

A 1974 album featuring songs of Ryoichi Hattori, arranged and performed to showcase a broad repertoire.

retro popgenerational legacy

Bibliography

  • My Song, My Life: 30 Years in Love with Singing
  • A Blue Canary Singing of Love — A Woman's Autobiography
  • Score of Flowers (with Yoshirō Mikuni)
  • I Want to Become a Rainbow — Living a Life Devoted to Song

Style & Themes

Literary Style
versatile vocal style incorporating multiple genreslyrical emphasis on message songs
Recurring Motifs
youth and nostalgiafemale strength and sensitivity

Legacy

A singer and actress who debuted in the 1950s and, as one of the 'Three Girls' (San'nin Musume), significantly influenced Japanese popular culture. Her international performances and numerous awards, combined with activities in painting and musical theatre, make her a lasting figure in Japan's pop music history.

Academic Societies

  • (no specific academic societies listed)

Archives

  • NHK Archives (materials related to Izumi Yukimura)

In Popular Culture

  • Image as one of the 'Three Girls' alongside Chiemi Eri and Hibari Misora

Trivia

  • Her 1953 debut single "Omoide no Waltz" was a major hit and made her a star.
  • One of the first Japanese entertainers to appear on the cover of the international edition of LIFE magazine (1961).
  • Yumi Arai (Yumi Matsutoya)'s "Hikoukigumo" was originally written for Izumi Yukimura (released later by Arai).
  • She is a member of Soka Gakkai.