One of Japan's greatest vocalists, Takio Ito (伊藤多喜雄) was born in Hokkaido, the Northern island of Japan. He grew up listening to the singing of his fisherman father as he worked, including this song, a Hokkaido min'yo standard. A certified teacher at 18, he won the national min'yo championships three years running. However, he found the confines of belonging to the staid Min'yo association, stifling for his creativity and promptly quit. Ever since, Takio has been expanding the realms of min'yo further and further, incorporating jazz, rock and other Asian traditional elements.

Read more about Takio Ito & Takio Band on Last.fm.


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