INDEX
Three Covers Inspired by a Close Relationship with Haruomi Hosono
The theme of this article is an exploration of the influence of HOSONO HOUSE in Japan, using three tracks from HOSONO HOUSE COVERS: Yuma Abe’s “Fuyugoe,” Cornelius’s “Bara to Yajū,” and Kukuku’s “CHOO CHOO Gatagoto.”
What these three artists have in common is their close relationship with Haruomi Hosono, more so than other participating artists. Yuma Abe has received music lectures from Hosono alongside Hama Okamoto through the Onkatsu Natalie column “Hosono Seminar.” Keigo Oyamada of Cornelius has also been a long-time supporter of Yellow Magic Orchestra since its revival in 2008.
The music unit “Kukuku,” consisting of Ikuko Harada and Manami Kakudo, supported Haruomi Hosono’s concert at Osaka’s Nakanoshima Public Hall on June 26, 2022, with their free-spirited performance, marking Hosono’s first concert in five years. They also collaborated on track production with Hosono for Narumi Yasuda’s self-cover of “Kaze no Tani no Naushika (2024 Ver.)” which was released after 40 years. Additionally, they accompanied Hosono for a performance in Bali in June 2024.
The close relationship with Hosono may have played a part in this, as from the covers by these three artists, one can sense a certain exploration of Hosono’s “awai” (the in-between space) from multiple angles, including their music careers and personalities. It feels like they are delving into the atmosphere, humor, and love for music they’ve picked up from conversations with him. In other words, rather than a broad influence on Japan as a whole, it may be more accurate to say these are the latest versions of the questions and influences posed by those who have been closely connected with Hosono.
