# Elephant Kashimashi

Elephant Kashimashi (Japanese: エレファントカシマシ, Hepburn: Erefanto Kashimashi), sometimes abbreviated as Elekashi (エレカシ, Erekashi), is a Japanese rock band from Kita, Tokyo, formed in 1981. It has consisted of vocalist and guitarist Hiroji Miyamoto, guitarist Toshiyuki Ishimori, bassist Seiji Takamidori and drummer Yoshiyuki Tominaga since 1986.
In 2007, Rolling Stone Japan ranked their album The Elephant Kashimashi II number 50 on a list of the greatest Japanese rock albums of all time.

## History

Elephant Kashimashi was formed in 1981 by Akabanedai Junior High School classmates Toshiyuki Ishimori and Yoshiyuki Tominaga on guitar and drums respectively. Vocalist and guitarist Hiroji Miyamoto joined in their third year of junior high, and they covered songs by bands such as Deep Purple, Rainbow and RC Succession. They participated in the amateur music competition EastWest put on by Nippon Gakki (Yamaha Corporation) playing original songs. In 1986, Tominaga's high school classmate Seiji Takamidori joined on bass completing the final line up that continues to this day. In December of that year they won the CBS Sony SD audition.
Elephant Kashimashi made their debut on March 21, 1988, with the simultaneous Epic/Sony Records release of the single "Dede" and their self-titled album. Miyamoto, the band's principal songwriter, stated that his biggest influences at the time were Led Zeppelin, The Doors, The Rolling Stones, and T. Rex. Their second album, The Elephant Kashimashi II, followed in November of that same year. The band held a concert at Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall in 1990 and it has become a tradition, with them having performed there every year since (except 2021). Following several albums with disappointing sales, their contract with Epic/Sony ended after their seventh album Tokyo no Sora in May 1994.
In 1996, Elephant Kashimashi signed with Pony Canyon and released the single "Kanashimi no Hate" in April and the album Kokoro ni Hana wo in August. The album sold well and gave them their first top 10 release on Oricon. Their 1997 album Asu ni Mukatte Hashire -Tsukiyo no Uta- was a big success with half a million copies sold, thanks to the single "Koyoi no Tsuki no Yoni" being used as the theme song of the TV drama Tsuki no Kagayaku Yoru Dakara.
After one more album with Pony Canyon, the band moved to Toshiba EMI in 1999. Reportedly, Elephant Kashimashi's sound at this time was influenced by American hard rock and industrial rock like Nine Inch Nails and Rage Against the Machine. In 2003, the tribute album Elephant Kashimashi Cover Album Hana Otoko was released featuring acts such as Straightener and Takkyu Ishino covering their songs.
In March 2006, Tominaga underwent surgery for a chronic subdural hematoma.
Elephant Kashimashi switched record labels to Universal Music in 2007, and released the single "Oretachi no Ashita" on November 21. The album Starting Over followed on January 30, 2008. "Kizuna", released as a single on March 18, 2009, became the band's first song to be used as the theme of a film when it was selected for Kanshiki Yonezawa Mamoru no Jikenbo. The album Noboreru Taiyō was released on April 29, and its tour ran from May 14 to June 3.
On September 1, 2012, Miyamoto had acute hearing loss in his left ear and underwent surgery. As a result live activities were suspended for a year until September 14, 2013, when they held a special concert. A second tribute album, Elephant Kashimashi Cover Album 2 ~A Tribute to The Elephant Kashimashi~, featuring bands such as Dragon Ash, The Back Horn, Brahman and 10-Feet was released in 2013.
At the 2018 Space Shower Music Awards, Elephant Kashimashi were given the Best Respect Artist award for their influence and achievements in music. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of their debut, Elephant Kashimashi held their first nationwide tour that covered every prefecture in Japan. It finished with a special concert at Saitama Super Arena where they were supported by Mr. Children and Spitz. Their album Wake Up was released on June 6, 2018, and went on to become a winner at the 11th CD Shop Awards. On November 16, 2018, Akabane Station began playing Elephant Kashimashi songs as departure melodies in hopes to revitalize the area. Three of the band's four members are from Akabane.
2021 marked the first year in 31 years that Elephant Kashimashi did not perform at Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall. The band is celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2023. They released the single "Yes. I. Do" on March 8 and performed a nine-date arena tour in the spring. On June 9, they released Elephant Kashimashi Live Archive 2007–2017, a six CD and two Blu-ray set collecting live material previously only included on limited editions of their singles and albums.

## Members

* Hiroji Miyamoto (宮本 浩次, Miyamoto Hiroji, born June 12, 1966, in Akabane, Kita, Tokyo) – lead vocals, guitar, primary songwriter
* Toshiyuki Ishimori (石森 敏行, Ishimori Toshiyuki, born March 18, 1967, in Akabane, Kita, Tokyo) – guitar
* Seiji Takamidori (高緑 成治, Takamidori Seiji, born April 15, 1966, in Tsukishima, Chūō, Tokyo) – bass guitar
* Yoshiyuki Tominaga (冨永 義之, Tominaga Yoshiyuki, born April 14, 1966, in Akabane, Kita, Tokyo) – drums

## Discography
### Studio albums

| Year | Album details | Oricon |
| 1988 | The Elephant Kashimashi Released: March 21, 1988 Label: Epic/Sony Records | — |
| 1988 | The Elephant Kashimashi II Released: November 21, 1988 Label: Epic/Sony Records | 71 |
| 1989 | Ukiyo no Yume (浮世の夢) Released: August 21, 1989 Label: Epic/Sony Records | 56 |
| 1990 | Seikatsu (生活) Released: September 1, 1990 Label: Epic/Sony Records | 43 |
| 1992 | Elephant Kashimashi 5 (エレファントカシマシ5) Released: April 8, 1992 Label: Epic/Sony Records | 61 |
| 1993 | Dorei Tengoku (奴隷天国) Released: May 21, 1993 Label: Epic/Sony Records | 68 |
| 1994 | Tokyo no Sora (東京の空) Released: May 21, 1994 Label: Epic/Sony Records | 62 |
| 1996 | Kokoro ni Hana wo (ココロに花を) Released: August 21, 1996 Label: Pony Canyon | 10 |
| 1997 | Asu ni Mukatte Hashire -Tsukiyo no Uta- (明日に向かって走れ-月夜の歌-) Released: September 10, 1997 Label: Pony Canyon | 2 |
| 1998 | Ai to Yume (愛と夢) Released: December 9, 1998 Label: Pony Canyon | 11 |
| 2000 | Good Morning Released: April 26, 2000 Label: Toshiba EMI | 13 |
| 2002 | Life (ライフ, Raifu) Released: May 2, 2002 Label: Face Records | 28 |
| 2003 | Ore no Michi (俺の道) Released: July 16, 2003 Label: Face Records | 34 |
| 2004 | Tobira (扉) Released: March 31, 2004 Label: Face Records | 34 |
| 2004 | Kaze (風) Released: September 29, 2004 Label: Face Records | 45 |
| 2006 | Machi wo Miorosu Oka (町を見下ろす丘) Released: March 29, 2006 Label: EMI Music Japan | 43 |
| 2008 | Starting Over Released: January 30, 2008 Label: Universal Music | 7 |
| 2009 | Noboreru Taiyō (昇れる太陽) Released: April 29, 2009 Label: Universal Music Sigma | 3 |
| 2010 | Akuma no Sasayaki ~Soshite, Kokoro ni Hi o Tomosu Tabi~ (悪魔のささやき〜そして、心に火を灯す旅〜) Released: November 17, 2010 Label: Universal Music Sigma | 8 |
| 2012 | Masterpiece Released: May 30, 2012 Label: Universal Music Sigma | 9 |
| 2015 | Rainbow Released: November 18, 2015 Label: Universal Music Sigma | 12 |
| 2018 | Wake Up Released: June 6, 2018 Label: Universal Music | 4 |

### Mini-albums

| Year | Album details | Oricon |
| 2002 | Dead or Alive Released: December 26, 2002 Label: Barrier Free | 86 |

### Singles

| Year | Title | Oricon |
| 1988 | "Dēde" (デーデ) Released: March 21, 1988 | — |
| 1988 | "Fuwafuwa" (ふわふわ) Released: July 21, 1988 | — |
| 1988 | "Ohayō Kon'nichiwa" (おはよう こんにちは) Released: November 2, 1988 | — |
| 1989 | "Ukigumo Otoko" (浮雲男) Released: August 2, 1989 | — |
| 1990 | "Otoko ha Yuku" (男は行く) Released: July 21, 1990 | 93 |
| 1992 | "Shokō" (曙光) Released: March 25, 1992 | — |
| 1993 | "Dorei Tengoku" (奴隷天国) Released: April 21, 1993 | — |
| 1993 | "Gokuraku Taishō Seikatsu Sanka" (極楽大将生活賛歌) Released: October 1, 1993 | — |
| 1994 | "Kono Yo ha Saikō!" (この世は最高!) Released: April 21, 1994 | — |
| 1996 | "Kanashimi no Hate" (悲しみの果て) Released: April 19, 1996 | 60 |
| 1996 | "Kodoku na Tabibito" (孤独な旅人) Released: July 19, 1996 | 49 |
| 1996 | "Kanashimi no Hate" (悲しみの果て) Released: November 1, 1996 | 30 |
| 1997 | "Ashita ni Mukatte Hashire" (明日に向かって走れ) Released: February 19, 1997 | 34 |
| 1997 | "Tatakau Otoko" (戦う男) Released: March 14, 1997 | 35 |
| 1997 | "Koyoi no Tsuki no Yō ni" (今宵の月のように) Released: July 30, 1997 | 8 |
| 1997 | "Kaze ni Fukarete" (風に吹かれて) Released: November 7, 1997 | 50 |
| 1998 | "Hajimari ha Ima" (はじまりは今) Released: May 13, 1998 | 29 |
| 1998 | "Yume no Kakera" (夢のかけら) Released: September 18, 1998 | 20 |
| 1998 | "Hito Koi Shikute, Ai wo Motomete" (ヒトコイシクテ、アイヲモトメテ) Released: November 18, 1998 | 34 |
| 1999 | "Ai no Yume wo Kure" (愛の夢をくれ) Released: January 27, 1999 | 96 |
| 1999 | "Mayonaka no Hero" (真夜中のヒーロー) Released: April 28, 1999 | 49 |
| 1999 | "Gasutoronjā" (ガストロンジャー) Released: December 8, 1999 | 29 |
| 2000 | "So Many People" Released: January 26, 2000 | 38 |
| 2000 | "Call and Response" (コール アンド レスポンス, Kōru ando Resuponsu) Released: April 26, 2000 | 55 |
| 2001 | "Kodokuna Taiyō" (孤独な太陽) Released: March 16, 2001 | 44 |
| 2001 | "Shochū Mimai -Yūutsu na Gogo-" (暑中見舞 -憂鬱な午後-) Released: July 25, 2001 | 35 |
| 2002 | "Futsū no Hibi" (普通の日々) Released: February 27, 2002 | 35 |
| 2002 | "Anata no Yasashisa wo Ore ha Nani ni Tatoeyou" (あなたのやさしさをオレは何に例えよう) Released: April 17, 2002 | 39 |
| 2003 | "Ore no Michi" (俺の道) Released: June 27, 2003 | 74 |
| 2003 | "Hello Jinsei!!" (ハロー人生!!) Released: June 27, 2003 | 77 |
| 2003 | "Seimei Sanka" (生命賛歌) Released: June 27, 2003 | 76 |
| 2004 | "Bakemono Seinen" (化ケモノ青年) Released: March 10, 2004 | 71 |
| 2004 | "Tomodachi ga Iru no Sa" (友達がいるのさ) Released: September 1, 2004 | 38 |
| 2007 | "Oretachi no Ashita" (俺たちの明日) Released: November 21, 2007 | 17 |
| 2008 | "Egao no Mirai he" (笑顔の未来へ) Released: January 1, 2008 | 47 |
| 2008 | "Sakura no Hana, Maiagaru Michi wo" (桜の花、舞い上がる道を) Released: March 5, 2008 | 12 |
| 2008 | "Atarashī Kisetsu he Kimi to" (新しい季節へキミと) Released: October 1, 2008 | 13 |
| 2009 | "Kiduna" (絆(きづな)) Released: March 18, 2009 | 16 |
| 2010 | "Shiawase yo, Kono Yubi ni Tomare" (幸せよ、この指にとまれ) Released: May 12, 2010 | 16 |
| 2010 | "Asu he no Kioku" (明日への記憶) Released: September 22, 2010 | 17 |
| 2010 | "Itsuka Mita Yume wo" (いつか見た夢を) Released: October 20, 2010 | 18 |
| 2011 | "Winding Road" (ワインディングロード, Waindingu Rōdo) Released: November 16, 2011 | 14 |
| 2012 | "Daichi no Symphony" (大地のシンフォニー) Released: April 25, 2012 | 11 |
| 2012 | "Zureteru Hō ga Ī" (ズレてる方がいい) Released: October 31, 2012 | 18 |
| 2013 | "Anata he" (あなたへ) Released: November 20, 2013 | 13 |
| 2014 | "Destiny" Released: June 11, 2014 | 13 |
| 2015 | "Aisubeki Kyō" (愛すべき今日) Released: September 23, 2015 | 9 |
| 2016 | "Yume wo Ou Tabibito" (夢を追う旅人) Released: August 3, 2016 | 16 |
| 2017 | "Kaze to Tomoni" (風と共に) Released: July 26, 2017 | 12 |
| 2017 | "Restart/Ima wo Utae" (RESTART/今を歌え) Released: November 8, 2017 | 11 |
| 2023 | "Yes. I. Do" Released: March 8, 2023 | 3 |

### Limited singles

| Year | Title |
| 2006 | "Signal/Ima wo Kakinarase" (シグナル／今をかきならせ) Released: March 20, 2006 |
| 2018 | "Easy Go" Released: May 25, 2018 |

### Compilation albums

| Year | Album details | Oricon |
| 1997 | Elephant Kashimashi Best (エレファントカシマシ ベスト) Released: December 1, 1997 Label: Epic/Sony Records | 27 |
| 2000 | Sweet Memory ~Elekashi Seishun Selection~ (sweet memory〜エレカシ青春セレクション〜) Released: October 12, 2000 Label: Face Records/Toshiba EMI | 6 |
| 2002 | Elephant Kashimashi Singles 1988–2001 (エレファントカシマシ SINGLES1988-2001) Released: March 27, 2002 Label: Face Records/Toshiba EMI | 47 |
| 2009 | Elekashi Jisen Sakuhin-shū: Epic Sōseiki (エレカシ 自選作品集 EPIC 創世記) Released: September 16, 2009 Label: Sony Music Direct | 61 |
| 2009 | Elekashi Jisen Sakuhin-shū: Pony Canyon Sōseiki (エレカシ 自選作品集 PONY CANYON 浪漫記) Released: September 16, 2009 Label: Pony Canyon | 59 |
| 2009 | Elekashi Jisen Sakuhin-shū: EMI Sōseiki (エレカシ 自選作品集 EMI 胎動記) Released: September 16, 2009 Label: EMI Music Japan | 63 |
| 2012 | The Best 2007–2012 Oretachi no Ashita (THE BEST 2007-2012 俺たちの明日) Released: December 19, 2012 Label: A&M Records | 10 |
| 2017 | All Time Best Album The Fighting Man Released: March 21, 2017 Label: Universal Sigma | 3 |

### Live albums

| Year | Album details | Oricon |
| 2005 | Yaon Aki (野音 秋) Released: July 20, 2005 Label: Face Music Entertainment | — |
| 2005 | Nippon Natsu (日本 夏) Released: July 20, 2005 Label: Face Music Entertainment | — |
| 2013 | The Fighting Men's Chronicle -The Elephant Kashimashi Official Live Bootleg Box- Released: April 23, 2013 Label: Face Music Entertainment | — |
| 2013 | The Elephant Kashimashi Live Best Bout (エレカシ 自選作品集 EPIC 創世記) Released: June 23, 2013 Label: Universal Music | — |

### Tribute albums

| Year | Album details | Oricon |
| 2003 | Elephant Kashimashi Cover Album Hana Otoko (エレファントカシマシ カヴァーアルバム 花男) Released: March 19, 2003 Label: Face Records | 79 |
| 2013 | Elephant Kashimashi Cover Album 2 ~A Tribute to The Elephant Kashimashi~ (エレファントカシマシ カヴァーアルバム2 〜A Tribute to The Elephant Kashimashi〜) Released: December 18, 2013 Label: Universal Music | 58 |
| 2018 | Elephant Kashimashi Cover Album 3 ~A Tribute to The Elephant Kashimashi~ (エレファントカシマシ カヴァーアルバム3 〜A Tribute to The Elephant Kashimashi〜) Released: March 21, 2018 Label: Universal Music | 29 |

### Video albums

| Year | Title | Oricon DVDs | Oricon Blu-rays |
| 1998 | Concert 1998 Nippon Budokan "Kaze ni Fukarete" (コンサート1998 日本武道館“風に吹かれて”) Released: April 1, 1998 | 72 (2009 re-release) | — |
| 1998 | Video Clip Collection "Clips" (ビデオクリップ集“クリップス”) Released: April 1, 1998 | — | — |
| 2001 | Video Clip Collection "Clips 2" (ビデオクリップ集“クリップス2”) Released: March 16, 2001 | — | — |
| 2002 | Life Tour 2002 Released: December 26, 2002 | — | — |
| 2004 | Video Clip Collection "Clips 3" (ビデオクリップ集「クリップス3」) Released: March 10, 2004 | 96 | — |
| 2004 | Tobira no Mukō (扉の向こう) Released: September 29, 2004 | — | — |
| 2009 | Sakura no Hana Maiagaru Budōkan (桜の花舞い上がる武道館) Released: September 16, 2009 | 6 | — |
| 2010 | Elephant Kashimashi 2009 October 24–25 Hibiya Yagai Ongakudō (エレファントカシマシ2009年10月24,25日 日比谷野外音楽堂) Released: March 17, 2010 (DVD), March 21, 2018 (Blu-ray) | 14 | 209 |
| 2011 | Elephant Kashimashi Epic Eizō Sakuhin-shū 1988–1994 (エレファントカシマシ EPIC映像作品集 1988-1994) Released: January 1, 2011 | 43 | — |
| 2011 | Rock'n Roll Band Fes & Event Live History 1988–2011 Released: November 16, 2011 | 11 | — |
| 2013 | The Fighting Men's Chronicle Elephant Kashimashi Director's Cut (the fighting men's chronicle エレファントカシマシ ディレクターズカット) Released: November 20, 2013 | 10 | — |
| 2013 | Fukkatsu no Yaon 2013.9.15 Hibiya Yagai Dai Ongakudō (復活の野音 2013.9.15 日比谷野外大音楽堂) Released: December 18, 2013 | 17 | — |
| 2014 | Elephant Kashimashi Debut 25th Anniversary Special Live Saitama Super Arena (エレファントカシマシ デビュー25周年記念 SPECIAL LIVE さいたまスーパーアリーナ) Released: March 19, 2014 (DVD), March 21, 2018 (Blu-ray) | 10 | 186 |
| 2015 | Elephant Kashimashi Shinshun Live 2015 Nihon Budōkan (エレファントカシマシ 新春ライブ2015 日本武道館) Released: September 23, 2015 | 15 | 15 |
| 2017 | Elephant Kashimashi ~1988/09/10 Shibuya Kōkaidō~ (エレファントカシマシ～1988/09/10渋谷公会堂～) Released: July 26, 2017 | 44 | 29 |
| 2017 | Debut 30th Anniversary Concert "Sarani Dōn to Iku ze!" Ōsaka-jō Hall (デビュー30周年記念コンサート”さらにドーンと行くぜ！” 大阪城ホール) Released: November 8, 2017 | 10 | 10 |
| 2018 | Elephant Kashimashi 30th Anniversary Live Blu-ray Box Released: March 21, 2018 | — | — |
| 2018 | 30th Anniversary Tour "The Fighting Man" Final Saitama Super Arena Released: November 21, 2018 | 7 | 6 |
| 2019 | Elephant Kashimashi Shinshun Live 2019 Nihon Budōkan (エレファントカシマシ 新春ライブ2019 日本武道館) Released: June 12, 2019 | 7 | 2 |
| 2019 | Elephant Kashimashi Hibiya Yagai Dai Ongakudō 2019 July 6–7 (エレファントカシマシ 日比谷野外大音楽堂2019 7月6日,7日) Released: June 12, 2019 | 7 | 6 |
| 2021 | Elephant Kashimashi Hibiya Yagai Dai Ongakudō 2020 (エレファントカシマシ 日比谷野外大音楽堂 2020) Released: March 17, 2021 | 3 | 5 |
| 2023 | Elephant Kashimashi Live Archive 2007–2017 (エレファントカシマシ ライブアーカイブ2007-2017) Released: June 12, 2023 | — | — |
| 2023 | 35th Anniversary Tour 2023 Yes. I. Do Released: September 20, 2023 | 4 | 5 |

## Awards

| Year | Award | Category | Recipient or nominee | Result |
| 2018 | Space Shower Music Awards | Best Respect Artist | Elephant Kashimashi | Won |
| 2019 | Space Shower Music Awards | Best Group Artist | Elephant Kashimashi | Nominated |
| 2019 | CD Shop Awards | Winning Work | Wake Up | Won |