Joe Hisaishi Research Paper

Born on December 6, 1950 in Nakano, Japan, Joe Hisaishi is a Japanese composer and musical director known famously for his scores in animated films from his professional partnership with Studio Ghibli's co-founder, Hayao Miyazaki. (Brightwell) Although known professionally under the name of Joe Hisaishi, or Hisaishi Jo, his real name is Mamoru Fujisawa. His work consists of different works such as European classical, Japanese classical, film scores, experimental electronic, minimalist, and animation music. He has won seven Japan Acadamy Awards for his scored works and several other awards throughout his career along with a Medal of Honour with Purple Ribbon in 2009 by the Government of Japan. (Loo) At age five, Hisaishi attended violin lessons and began developing a passion for music. He then …show more content…
(Brightwell) Hisaishi released his first album in 1981, called MKWAJU, and recorded it from a live performance at the Haiyuu Zagekijoo theater in Tokyo. (Donelson) The album was written for a percussion ensemble with keyboard and computer programming. His compositions still showed minimalism characteristics but also reflected his interest in electronic, new age and melodic percussion. A year later, he collaborated with the Wonder City Orchestra and made a second album called Information while still in college. (Donelson) After his graduation, Hisaishi continued to contribute more score work for animated series while creating solo albums such as: Piano Stories, My Lost City, ETUDE: A Wish to the Noon, Asian X.T.C, and Another Piano Stories: End of the World. (JoeHisaishi.com) Hisaishi also contributed to animated TV series such as Sasuga no Sarutobi, Kiko Soseiki Mospeada, Sasrygar, and Two Down Full Base. He also did film scores for Techno Police 21c and Ozu no Mahotsukai, an adaptation of The Wizard of Oz. By then, Hisaishi established his own music