# Hako Yamasaki

Hako Yamasaki (山崎ハコ, Yamasaki Hako, born May 18, 1957), (birth name Hatsuko Yamasaki (山崎 初子)) is a Japanese folk singer-songwriter, actress, and writer. She recorded her first album in 1975. In 1991, she made her acting debut.

## Biography

In 1974, while attending high school, Yamasaki won the Grand Prix Prizef at the, "Join Us Folk Competition". During the contest, music producer Tomoi Hoshino scouted and recruited her into his agency, Imadoki. She made her debut in 1975 with the album "Tobimasu", which was released under Pony Canyon records. During her debut, she received the nickname "a rival to Miyuki Nakajima", who similarly wrote dark lyrics about love. Yamasaki had moderate success with her career, with albums that sold over 50,000 copies.
During the 1980s, there was a decline in album sales coupled alongside a growing unpopularity of the folk genre of music. In 1985, Yamasaki transferred to Universal Music Japan. Following the release of her live album in 1986, Yamasaki went on a temporary hiatus. In 1994, Yamasaki's first cover album of the year received an award for the Best Planning album at the 36th Japan Music Awards. It was during the 1990s however, when Yamasaki's agency Imadoki went bankrupt. In 2002, Yamasaki made her major musical comeback with her single, "Yasashii Uta" which was released under the Tokuma Japan label. In the same year, she made her voice acting debut in the anime television series, Chibi Maruko-chan.
With the 2020s, Yamasaki's popularity has seen a rise online worldwide, with millions of views of her songs on platforms such as Spotify and YouTube.

## Personal life

Following the bankruptcy of her musical agency, "Imadoki" in 1998, Yamasaki was left on the verge of homelessness, working part-time as a dishwasher to make a living. In 2001, she married guitarist and longtime collaborator Hiromi Yasuda. Their marriage lasted until 2020, when Yasuda passed away due to colorectal cancer.

## Discography
### Albums
#### Studio albums

List of albums, with selected chart positions :
| Title | Album details | Peak positions |
| Title | Album details | JPN Oricon |
| Tobimasu (飛・び・ま・す) | Released: December 1, 1975 Label: Elec Records Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | 36 |
| Tsunawatari (綱渡り) | Released: May 25, 1976 Label: Elec Records Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | 46 |
| Aiiro no Uta (藍色の詩) | Released: March 18, 1977 Label: Canyon Records Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | 10 |
| Nagareyoi no Uta (流れ酔い唄) | Released: June 10, 1978 Label: Canyon Records Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | 14 |
| Ningen Magai (人間まがい) | Released: May 21, 1979 Label: Canyon Records Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | - |
| Aruite (歩いて) | Released: October 5, 1980 Label: Canyon Records Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | - |
| Akane (茜) | Released: April 21, 1981 Label: Canyon Records Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | - |
| Gensou Ryokou (幻想旅行) | Released: November 5, 1981 Label: Canyon Records Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | - |
| Gensou Ryokou II (幻想旅行 II) | Released: April 5, 1982 Label: Canyon Records Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | - |
| Glass no Keshiki (硝子の景色) | Released: October 21, 1982 Label: Canyon Records Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | - |
| Kaze no Iro (風の色) | Released: February 21, 1983 Label: Canyon Records Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | - |
| Darjeeling (ダージリン) | Released: September 21, 1983 Label: Canyon Records Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | - |
| Tessen no Hana (てっせんの花) | Released: June 5, 1984 Label: Canyon Records Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | - |
| Hikaru Yume (光る夢) | Released: May 25, 1985 Label: Universal Music Japan Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | - |
| Toki wa Nagarete (時は流れて) | Released: November 25, 1985 Label: Universal Music Japan Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | - |
| Nawatobi (なわとび) | Released: June 1, 1986 Label: Universal Music Japan Formats: CD, LP, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | - |
| Sasuga | Released: February 23, 1990 Label: Universal Music Japan Formats: CD, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | - |
| Nihon Utashuu: Tooi Machi Tooi Sora (日本詩集 〜遠い町 遠い空〜) | Released: April 25, 1990 Label: Universal Music Japan Formats: CD, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | - |
| Memphis Made (メンフィスまで) | Released: May 21, 1992 Label: Universal Music Japan Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | - |
| Watashi ga Umareta Hi (私が生まれた日) | Released: May 24, 1995 Label: Victor Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | - |
| Yuishin (唯心) | Released: June 21, 1996 Label: Victor Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | - |
| En: Enishi (縁 -えにし) | Released: March 7, 2012 Label: Teichiku Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | - |
| Utakko (歌っ子) | Released: September 17, 2014 Label: Teichiku Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | - |
| Watashi no Uta (私のうた) | Released: September 21, 2016 Label: Teichiku Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | - |
| Yokohama kara Aku Yuu Mihappyou Sakuhinshuu (横浜から 阿久悠未発表作品集) | Released: June 20, 2018 Label: Teichiku Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | - |

#### EPS

List of albums, with selected chart positions :
| Title | Album details | Peak positions |
| Title | Album details | JPN Oricon |
| Tobimasu...17sai (飛びます…17歳) | Released: November 28, 2001 Label: Mew Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | - |

#### Cover albums

List of albums, with selected chart positions :
| Title | Album details | Peak positions |
| Title | Album details | JPN Oricon |
| Ohako (十八番) | Released: September 21, 1994 Label: Victor Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | - |

#### Self-cover albums

List of albums, with selected chart positions :
| Title | Album details | Peak positions |
| Title | Album details | JPN Oricon |
| Hako no Ohako (ハコのお箱) | Released: September 27, 1995 Label: Victor Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | - |
| Mihappyou (未・発・表) | Released: November 4, 2009 Label: Nippon Columbia Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | - |

#### Live albums

List of albums, with selected chart positions :
| Title | Album details | Peak positions |
| Title | Album details | JPN Oricon |
| Yamasaki Hako First Live (山崎ハコ ファーストライブ) | Released: November 10, 1977 Label: Canyon Records Formats: LP, digital download, streaming | - |
| Yamasaki Hako Live II Uta Arite (山崎ハコ ライブII 歌在りて) | Released: November 21, 1979 Label: Canyon Records Formats: LP, digital download, streaming | - |
| Watashi no Shiawase (私の幸せ) | Released: November 25, 1986 Label: Universal Music Japan Formats: LP, CD, digital download, streaming | - |
| Yamasaki Hako Live Set (山崎ハコライブセット) | Released: December 18, 2013 Label: Pony Canyon Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | - |

#### Compilation albums

List of albums, with selected chart positions :
| Title | Album details | Peak positions |
| Title | Album details | JPN Oricon |
| Kiseki (軌跡) | Released: July 5, 1980 Label: Canyon Formats: LP, digital download, streaming | - |
| Best of Yamasaki Hako (ベスト オブ 山崎ハコ) | Released: February 5, 1984 Label: Canyon Formats: LP, digital download, streaming | - |
| Best Selection (ベストセレクション) | Released: June 5, 1985 Label: Canyon Formats: LP, CD, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | - |
| The Best of Yamasaki Hako (ザ・ベスト・オブ・山崎ハコ) | Released: July 25, 1985 Label: Universal Music Japan Formats: LP, CD, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | - |
| Super Best (スーパーベスト) | Released: November 21, 1986 Label: Pony Formats: LP, CD, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | - |
| Yamasaki Hako Best (山崎ハコ ベスト) | Released: November 21, 1987 Label: Pony Formats: LP, CD, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | - |
| Best | Released: August 29, 1990 Label: Universal Music Japan Formats: CD, Cassette tape, digital download, streaming | - |
| For your Good Days | Released: November 21, 1992 Label: Universal Music Japan Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | - |
| Yamasaki Hako Best Album (山崎ハコ ベストアルバム) | Released: November 21, 1996 Label: Pony Canyon Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | - |
| Yamasaki Hako Best Collection Dear My Songs (山崎ハコ ベストコレクション Dear My Songs) | Released: December 24, 2001 Label: Pony Canyon Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | - |
| Anthology Yamasaki Hako Best (Anthology 山崎ハコ BEST) | Released: August 21, 2002 Label: Pony Canyon Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | - |
| Yamasaki Hako Golden Best (山崎ハコ ゴールデン☆ベスト) | Released: March 1, 2006 Label: Universal Music Japan Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | - |
| Utaitaino (歌いたいの) | Released: May 24, 2006 Label: Tokuma Japan Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | - |
| Yamasaki Hako Best Collection History 1975-1984 (山崎ハコ best collection history 1975-1984) | Released: July 16, 2008 Label: Pony Canyon Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | - |
| Hako Desu 1975-2014 (ハ・コ・で・す 1975-2014) | Released: October 1, 2014 Label: Pony Canyon Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | - |

### Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions :
| Year | Single | Peak chart positions | Label | Formats |
| Year | Single | JPN Physical | Label | Formats |
| 1978 | "Nagareyoi Uta" （流れ酔い唄） | 97 | Canyon | CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming |
| 1979 | "Jigoku Kokoro dake Aishite" （地獄「心だけ愛して」） | - | Canyon | CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming |
| 1979 | "Lullaby Yokosuka" （ララバイ横須賀） | - | Canyon | CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming |
| 1980 | "Otoko no Whisky" （男のウ井スキー） | - | Canyon | CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming |
| 1981 | "Orie no Uta" （織江の唄） | - | Canyon | CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming |
| 1982 | "Gensou Ryokou" （幻想旅行） | - | Canyon | CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming |
| 1983 | "Ame ni Utaenai" （雨に唄えない） | - | Canyon | CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming |
| 1984 | "Kaze no Uta" （風の歌） | - | Canyon | CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming |
| 1984 | "Machi yo" （町よ） | - | Canyon | CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming |
| 1985 | "Tell a lie" （テル・ア・ライ） | - | Universal Music Japan | CD, LP, Cassette, digital download, streaming |
| 1990 | "Anou" | - | Universal Music Japan | CD, Cassette, digital download, streaming |
| 1990 | "Kibun wo Käte" （気分を変えて） | - | Universal Music Japan | CD, Cassette, digital download, streaming |
| 1992 | "Hotaru" （蛍） | - | Universal Music Japan | CD, digital download, streaming |
| 1994 | "Acacia no Ame ga Yamu Toki" （アカシアの雨がやむとき） | - | Victor | CD, digital download, streaming |
| 1995 | "Watashi ga Umareta Hi" （私が生まれた日） | - | Victor | CD, digital download, streaming |
| 1997 | "Tadoritsuitara Itsumo Ame Furi" （たどりついたらいつも雨ふり） | - | Zetima | CD, digital download, streaming |
| 1997 | "Wasshoi Nippon" （わっしょいニッポン） | - | Zetima | CD, digital download, streaming |
| 1997 | "Tazunehito: Boukensha" （たずね人 -冒険者-） | - | Zetima | CD, digital download, streaming |
| 2002 | "Yasashii Uta" （やさしい歌） | - | Tokuma Japan | CD, digital download, streaming |
| 2004 | "Setsuna no Yume" （刹那の夢） | - | Tokuma Japan | CD, digital download, streaming |
| 2006 | "Tessen Komoriuta" （てっせん子守唄） | - | Tokuma Japan | CD, digital download, streaming |
| 2008 | "Beetle" | - | Nippon Columbia | CD, digital download, streaming |
| 2011 | "Anata no Koe" （あなたの声） | - | Teichiku | CD, digital download, streaming |

## Songwriting credits

List of non-studio album, song-writing credits that feature Hako Yamasaki :
| Title | Year | Artist | Album/Single |
| "Shiroi Hana" | 1978 | Mirei Kitahara | Sumie no Uta |
| "Nosappu Misaki" | 1981 | Mirei Kitahara | Best Album |
| "Dancing Doll" | 1980 | Miyuki Matsuda | Dancing Doll |
| "Chiisana Mondai" | 1984 | Agnes Chan | Chiisana Mondai |
| "Glass no Pinocchio" | 1990 | Nae Yuuki | Glass no Pinocchio |
| "Fuyu no Tokyo", "Nijiiro no Sekai Chizu" | 1993 | Nae Yuuki | Shun |
| "Art of Loving" | 1993 | Minami Saori | Art of Loving |
| "Daredare no Buki" | 1995 | Nae Yuuki | Alamode |
| "Hanabi" | 2012 | Sayuri Ishikawa | X-Cross |