Shin Yasuda

**Shin Yasuda** (安田伸, *Yasuda Shin*, September 19, 1932 - November 5, 1996) is a Japanese saxophonist, comedian, actor, and composer. His real name is **Hidemine Yasuda** (安田 秀峰, *Yasuda Hidemine*). His nickname is **Ya-san** (ヤッさん), Mister Ya in English.

## Career

Yasuda was born in Ota City, Tokyo on September 19, 1932. His father was from the Saga Prefecture and was a right wing activist, but he soon started his fur and leather businesses. Shortly after his birth, his family moved to Kawasaki City and was evacuated during the air raid in Japan when he was in sixth grade from Takatsu Elementary School in Kanagawa. He then moved to Atsugi City via Kakio, Kawasaki City, where his mother's parents' house is located, and after the war ended, Yasuda was attended at the old Atsugi High School (currently the Atsugi High School of Kanagawa Prefecture).

Aspiring to be a soldier, Yasuda applied to the Army Nursery School, but due to his poor grades, he changed his attention to the path of music and began playing the cornet. After the reform of the school system has declared, while attending the new Atsugi High School system, he joined the marching band club, who was in charge to play alto saxophone, and served as the assistant principal. When he was in his freshman year of high school, Yasuda was aiming to attend the University of Tokyo or Hitotsubashi University, but when he was in his third year of high school, he became absorbed in musical instruments and by 1951, Yausda applied at the newly instruments department of the Tokyo University of the Arts.

However, Yausda was not used to the feudal nature of the classical music world and there was financial difficulty in continuing to pay a large monthly fee, so he started a part-time job as a jazzman at an expeditionary force club. Finally, when the Instrumentation Department was established at the Tokyo University of the Arts, it was moved there and was completed in 1953. Since then, he has been active as a jazzman in each cities such as in Yokohama, Yokosuka, Ueno, and others. While on a trip in Yokohama, he meet Êtarô Ishibashi and Kei Tani, both of them are jazz musicians.

About half a year from late 1953, he formed the band "Four Devers" (サックス) with Masahiro Ishida (saxophone), Yukio Tanizaki (bass) and Tetsuo Hino (drums) and performed in both Tokyo and Nagoya. At this time, he performed with Ishibashi's band. After working on "The Five" where Ishibashi is the leader, he appeared in the Nagoya club "Fernando" as a member of "Happy Furinance" (フェルナンド). The Peanuts, the twin sisters vocal group also appeared in this club. From this time on, his name appeared often in the "Swing Journal" magazine. In the fall of 1957, he joined Hana Hajime and The Crazy Cats with the performance of both Êtarô Ishibashi and Kei Tani.

As a band member, Yasuda played the tenor sax (occasionally clarinet) as a successor to Masahiro Ishida, who suffered from drugs and retired. With a serious personality, he was the only member of the group to appear in the "Adult Manga" tv show, all in 1,835 each episodes. Also, in "Shabontama Holiday", he was known for his role as "Assistant Director of Kintoto Movie", a contender who teamed up with Osami Nabe, who ultimately plays the role of reversing his position. Also, the method of playing the saxophone while bridging is also famous, and it is shown on stage and in some Crazy Movies.

Due to his serious personality, Yasuda was concerned about his lack of talent, and one of the people involved (Yukio Aoshima said it could be me) said, "Shin Yasuda is crazy baggage." He seriously thought about retiring once, but a friend said, "You're like the University of Tokyo in six college baseball. It's luggage that he just lost, but Yasuda hope to do something one day, so it's interesting for all six universities."

However, since he participated in the band as a music expert, Yasuda originally did not intend to work as an actor, but after he appeared on "Fiddler on the Roof" stage play as Tevye, he began starring his career as an actor for films, television shows and stage plays. He is also songwriter and has composed many songs such as the theme songs for the "Crazy Cat Show", TV dramas, the sitcoms and company songs, the group songs, and the gymnastics backing soundtracks. Later, he formed the band "Coelacanth" (シーラカンス) with Kenichiro Morioka and Hiroshi Minami, and released songs like "If Tanuki Was In The World". He also co-starred with Kei Tani's band "Supermarket (スーパーマーケット)."

In his personal life, Yasuda married beauty researcher Miyoko Takekoshi in 1966. Known to his loving wife, a joke called "Miyoko" was created. However, he was not blessed with a child, and in his later years, Yasuda was suffering from cancer and liver disease. He died in 1996 from a heart attack in Tokyo at the age of 64.