- Takako Matsu
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Takako Matsu (松たか子 ) Birth name Takako Fujima Also known as 松たか子 (Matsu Takako) (Stage Name)
松本 幸華 (Kōka Matsumoto) (Buyō name)Born June 10, 1977 Origin Tokyo, Japan Genres Pop Years active 1993–present Labels BMG Japan (1997–1998/2006–present)
Universal Music Japan (1998–2005)Website Official Fanclub - Club M
Universal Music Japan
BMG Japan
Sony BMG TaiwanTakako Matsu (松たか子 Matsu Takako ), born Takako Fujima (藤間 隆子 Fujima Takako ), is a Japanese actress and pop singer/songwriter born on June 10, 1977 in Tokyo, Japan. The style of her music is often laid-back and relaxing.
Contents
Profile
- Interests: Watching movies and stage plays
- Talents: Acting, singing, songwriting, piano and various musical instruments
- Favorite Artist: Matsuda Seiko
Background
She was born into a traditional buyō house, and her buyō name is Kōka Matsumoto (松本幸華 Matsumoto Kōka ). Her father is Matsumoto Koshiro IX, kabuki actor and head of the buyō house; her uncle is Nakamura Kichiemon II; her older brother is Ichikawa Somegoro VII; her sister, six years her elder is Kiyo Matsumoto. Her mother's name is Noriko Matsumoto. She selected her last name as "Matsu" to honor her parents. In one interview, she notes that she and her two brothers are relatively close to her mother.[1] Her highest education is Asia University, from which she did not graduate.
Biography
Takako debuted in theater when she was sixteen years old, in Ninjo Hanashi Bun Nana Motoyu (Emotions Inscribed in Seven Hair-tying Paper Cords) at Tokyo Kabuki-za in 1993. Her first lead role in television was in the NHK Drama Hana no Ran (War of Roses) in 1994. Afterwards, she increased in succession the number of lead role appearances in theater and television drama, becoming preeminent as a young actress.
Because Shirayuri Gakuen, her high school, prohibited working in the entertainment industry, she transferred to Horikoshi High School. At that time, Tsuyoshi Domoto of Kinki Kids, two years her junior, was at the school and remarked, “Matsu was excellent”.
In the drama Long Vacation, which she played a lead role in 1996 following matriculating to college, she became popular as “the woman who dumped Kimutaku (Takuya Kimura of SMAP)”. Since the drama was a major hit, she began to establish in full-scale her position as an actress. In the same year, she hosted Kōhaku Uta Gassen at the age of 19, making her the youngest ever to host the show, making 1996 a year of rapid progress for her. She is also well-known for starring opposite Takuya Kimura in another drama in the same period, Love Generation.
In late 2004, when Takako was told that she had won the Best Actress of the Year by her manager, she was so happy and said to have remarked "I am fortunate to have been born a Japanese". Her manager later said, "She normally doesn’t show so much emotion for an award that I was taken aback."
She won the award for best actress at the at the 29th Hochi Film Award for The Hidden Blade.[2]
In July 2006, Matsu and Kimura starred in a special one night edition of Hero. While a remake of this drama has been refused for years, some believed that recent surge of white collar crimes and arrests such as that of Livedoor president Takafumi Horie had inspired the demand for a special production.
In October 2006, Matsu was in a weekly drama for the first time in over three years titled "Yakusha Damashii" for FNN alongside 73-year old actor Makoto Fujita, a family friend.[3] While Fujita was quite excited at his first work with Matsu, she stated earlier that she was quite attracted by his performance ability.
Besides acting, Matsu has an established career as a songwriter and singer. She debuted in 1997 with the single, "Ashita, haru ga kitara." She has worked with many different producers, but in her third album, Sakura no Ame, Itsuka, she is noted for working on every song (either composing the melody or lyrics) on the album. This was her most successful album recorded with Universal Music.
Toki no Fune, released September 2004, was composed by the Japanese singer Akeboshi. It is similar to his song, A nine days' wonder, which was released after the Toki no Fune single. The single also contains a cover of Akeboshi's 'White reply' previously recorded on her sixth album, 'Harvest Songs'.
In May 2007, Matsu kicked off her third concert tour to commemorate her tenth year as a singer. In her Tokyo stop on June 21, she reflected that although it has been a decade, it is not appropriate for her to compare against other artists who have done nothing but music in the same time period. She also performed the song, "A Piece of Life," on the keyboard in a duet with a violinist. Fans who attended the concerts included famous people such as singer/songwriter Mariya Takeuchi and actress Eriko Sato.
In releasing her latest album, "I Cherish" in 2007, the song "Ashita Haru ga Kitara" was redone to combine Matsu's voice as a 20 year old with her current one. As of now, she has released nineteen singles and ten albums (of which, seven are original studio albums), achieving success as a singer.
She has also published a photo essay book, Matsu no Hitorigoto (Matsu Talks to Herself), through Asahi Shinbun Publishers.
Feature filmography
- Tokyo Weather (Tokyo Biyori) (1997); Mizutani
- April Story (Shigatsu Monogatari) (1998); Uzuki Nireno
- The Hidden Blade (Kakushiken Oni no tsume) (2004); Kie
- The Uchoten Hotel (2006); Hana Takemoto
- Brave Story (2006); Wataru (voice)
- Tokyo Tower: Mom and Me, and Sometimes Dad (Tokyo Tower: Okan to Boku to Tokidoki Oton) (2007); Mizue
- HERO (2007); Maiko Amamiya
- K-20: Legend of the Mask (K-20: Kaijin Niju Menso Den) (2008); Hashiba Yoko
- Villon's Wife (Viyon no Tsuma) (2009); Sachi
- Confession (Kokuhaku) (2010); Yoko Moriguchi
Notable Television Dramas
- Hana no Ran (War of Flowers, 1994 NHK)
- Musashi (1995 NHK)
- Long Vacation (1996 FNN)-Ryoko Okusawa
- Hideyoshi (1996 NHK)-Yododono (the second wife of Hideyoshi)
- Konna Watashi ni Dare ga Shita (Who did This to Someone like Me, 1996 FNN)
- Ryoma is going (1997 TBS)-Sanako Chiba
- Boku ga Boku de Aru Tame ni (For I to be Myself, 1997 FNN)
- Koto no Renka (Love Song of the Old Capital, 1997 TBS)
- Hitotsu Yane no Shita 2 (Under One Roof, 1997 FNN)
- Love Generation (1997 FNN)
- Shuntoo (Spring Light, 1997 NHK)
- Jinbē (1998 Fuji TV)
- Kai (Oar, 1999 NHK), Kiwa Tomita
- Konya wa Eigyootyuu (Open Tonight, 1999 NTV)
- Omiai Kekkon (2000 FNN) - Setsuko Nakatani
- HERO (2001 FNN)-Maiko Amamiya
- Chūshingura 1/47(the story of the Forty-seven ronin) 1/47(2001 FNN)-Aguri
- Akarui Hoo e Akarui Hoo e (Towards the Brighter Side, Towards the Brighter Side 2001 TBS)
- Tokyo Story (27 Hour TV Special Drama, 2002 FNN)
- Itsumo Futari De (Always the Two of Us, 2003 FNN) - Mizuho Tanimachi
- Hiroshima Showa 20 nen 8 Gatsu Muika, 2005 TBS
- HERO ( special edition ) July 2006
- Yakusha Damashi! (Actor Spirit, October 17, 2006 FNN)
- Saka no ue no kumo (NHK) 2009
Theater
- Ninjo Hanashi Bun Nana Motoyu (Emotions Inscribed in Seven Hair-tying Paper Cords, Kabukiza, 1993)
- Koiki na Yuure, Ajisaru (Ajisaru, a Stylish Ghost, Shinbashi Enbujyoo, 1994)
- Taki no Shiraito, Jyunsaihan (Jyunsaihan, the White Thread in the Waterfall, Shinbashi Enbujyoo, 1994)
- The Man of La Mancha (Aoyama Theater 1995, 1997, 1999, Meitetsu Theater 1997, 2005 Hiten Theater 1999, Hakataza 2002, Imperial Theater 2002, 2005, 2008, Theater Brava! 2009)
- Hamlet (Ginza Cezon Theater 1995, 1998, etc)
- Tengai no Hana (Shinbashi Enbujyoo, 1999)
- Szechuan no Zennin (Virtuous Man of Szechuan, New National Theater 1999, Akasaka ACT Theater 2001)
- Okepi (Aoyama Theater 2000)
- Voyage ~ Funajyoo no Syanikusai ~ (Voyage, the Carnival aboard; Theater Cocoon 2000)
- Natsu Hoteru (Summer Hotel, Parco Theater 2001)
- Arashigaoka (Shinbashi Enbujyoo 2002)
- Mozart! (Nissei Theater 2002)
- NODA MAP Oil (Theater Cocoon 2003, Kintetsu Theater 2003)
- Ohatsu (Shinbashi Enbujyoo 2004)
- Roningai (City of Ronin, Aoyama Theater 2004)
- Miss Saigon (Imperial Theater 2004)
- Cossack no Hakuboku no Wa (Cossack’s Ring of Chalk, Setagaya Public Theater, 2005)
- NODA MAP Crime and Punishment (Theater Cocoon 2005-6, Theater Brava! 2005-6)
- Metal Macbeth (Matsumoto Performing Arts Centre, Aoyama Theatre, Osaka Kosei Nenkin Kaikan 2006)
- Hibari (Theater Cocoon 2007)
- Romance (Setagaya Public Theater 2007)
- Sisters (Parco Theater 2008)
- NODA MAP Piper (Theater Cocoon 2009)
- Jane Eyre (Nissei Theater 2009)
Prizes
- Kinokuniya Engekishoo (Kinokuniya Theater Acting Award)
- Erandole Shoo (Erandole Awards)- Rookie Award, 1997
- 22nd Media Film Awards- Best Rookie Award, 1997
- 12th Japan Golden Disc Awards, The Best New Artist of the Year Award, 1997
- 1997 Japan’s New Heroine, first place
- 34th Golden Arrow Awards, Broadcast Rookie Award and Best Rookie Award, 1997
- 21st Matsuo Entertainment Awards- Rookie Award, 2000
- Education, Culture and Arts Minister Rookie Award in theater acting division, 2000
- 10th Hashida Award television division, 2002
- Best Actress of the Year, 2004
- 28nd Japan Academy Prize, Best Actress 2005
Discography
Albums
- Sora No Kagami (空の鏡 ) (June 28, 1997)
- Ai No Tobira (アイノトビラ ) (September 23, 1998)
- Itsuka, Sakura no Ame ni... (いつか、桜の雨に... ) (March 3, 2000)
- a piece of life (June 13, 2001)
- home grown (February 19, 2003)
- harvest songs (October 8, 2003)
- Bokura Ga Ita (We Were There ) (April 26, 2006)
- Cherish You (Apr 25, 2007)
- Time For Music (Nov 25, 2009)
Singles
- Ashita haru ga kitara (明日、春が来たら ) (March 21, 1997); #8, 16 weeks, 431,540 copies
- I STAND ALONE (May 21, 1997); #7, 8 weeks, 182,730 copies
- WIND SONG (December 8, 1999); #30, 5 weeks, 37,670 copies
- Mafuyu no Memories (真冬のメモリーズ ) (November 21, 1997); #22, nine weeks, 77,070 copies
- Sakura.Fuwari (サクラ・フワリ ) (March 25, 1998); #9, 8 weeks, 96,340 copies
- Gomen ne (ごめんね。 ) (May 27, 1998); #26, 4 weeks, 44,050 copies
- Stay with me (September 4, 1998); #20, 10 weeks, 95,720
- Yume no Shizuku (夢のしずく ) (September 22, 1999); #8, 10 weeks, 97,490 copies
- Tsuki no Dance (月のダンス ) (November 17, 1999); #25, 2 weeks, 16,540 copies
- Sakura no Ame, Itsuka (桜の雨、いつか ) (February 9, 2000); #19, 10 weeks, 87,920 copies
- Yasashii Kaze (優しい風 ) (October 25, 2000); #25, 3 weeks, 20,680 copies
- Koishii Hito (コイシイヒト ) (March 14, 2001); #16, 8 weeks, 63,180 copies
- Hana no Youni (花のように ) (October 24, 2001); #23, 3 weeks, 23,890 copies
- Clover (June 26, 2002); #28, 2 weeks, 11,040 copies
- Ashita ni Kuchizuke wo (明日にくちづけを ) (November 13, 2002); #23, 5 weeks, 14,197 copies
- Honto no Kimochi (ほんとの気持ち ) (July 23, 2003); #16, 8 weeks, 27,134 copies
- Toki no Fune (時の舟 ) (September 1, 2004); #5, 10 weeks, 61,471 copies
- Mirai ni Naru (未来になる ) (April 6, 2005); #24, 4 weeks, 9,336 copies
- Akari no Tomoru Hou he (明かりの灯る方へ ) (March 22, 2006); 24, 7 weeks, 14,000 copies
- Minna Hitori (みんなひとり), November 29, 2006; #10, 2 weeks, 41,000 copies
- Kimi no Nara (君 となら), October 21, 2009
Compilations
- Five years ~singles (December 5, 2001)
- Matsu Takako Single Collection 1999-2005 (June 28, 2006)
- Footsteps ~ 10th Anniversary Complete Best (June 25, 2008)
Live
- 1997 vol.1 "a piece of life" (February 21, 2002)
- 2003 "second wave" (March 24, 2004)
- 2007 "i cherish you" (November 21, 2007)
- 2010 "Time for Music" (October 27, 2010)
Others
- Futari no Murasaki Tokyo / Kimokusei & Tokyo Jenne (Takako Matsu)(from Kinmokusei's single Futari no Murasaki Tokyo)
- Matsu no Hitorigoto (Asahi Shimbum Press)
- Haiku, Mainichi Daily, July 8, 2007
References
- ^ Tokyo Tower Matsu Takako Interview (MSN Entertainment)
- ^ "報知映画賞ヒストリー" (in Japanese). Cinema Hochi. http://cinemahochi.yomiuri.co.jp/h_award/2004/. Retrieved 2010-01-27.
- ^ Matsu Takako and Makoto Fujita in Comedy Drama Asahi Shimbun October 12, 2006
- [1] "As I Discovered a New Myself in this Album, I Wish If New Listeners Find me" (Japanese), MSN, April 26, 2006, retrieved July 14, 2006
- [2] "In-depth on an Unprecedented Collaboration with Sukima Switch" (Japanese), "Oricon", March 22, 2006, retrieved July 14, 2006
- [3] "Natural and Certain Feeling" (Japanese), "Oricon", April 6, 2005, retrieved July 14, 2006
External links
- BMG Japan - Matsu Takako Official Website
- Universal Music - Matsu Takako Official Website
- HMV - Artist
- MSN - Artist
- Hoga - Artist
- Yahoo! Japan’s Takako Matsu Lyrics
- Takako Matsu singles sales (Japanese)
- Takako Matsu at the Internet Movie Database
Kumiko Akiyoshi (1976) · Shima Iwashita (1977) · Meiko Kaji (1978) · Junko Miyashita (1979) · Chieko Baishō (1980) · Keiko Matsuzaka (1981) · Kaori Momoi (1982) · Masako Natsume (1983) · Sayuri Yoshinaga (1984) · Mitsuko Baisho (1985) · Ayumi Ishida (1986) · Shinobu Ōtake (1987) · Narumi Yasuda (1988) · Yoshiko Tanaka (1989) · Keiko Matsuzaka (1990) · Youki Kudoh (1991) · Misa Shimizu (1992) · Ruby Moreno (1993) · Saki Takaoka (1994) · Miho Nakayama (1995) · Mieko Harada (1996) · Hitomi Kuroki (1997) · Mieko Harada (1998) · Jun Fubuki (1999) · Naomi Fujiyama (2000) · Kyōko Koizumi (2001) · Rie Miyazawa (2002) · Shinobu Terajima (2003) · Takako Matsu (2004) · Yūko Tanaka (2005) · Miki Nakatani (2006) · Kumiko Aso (2007) · Kyōko Koizumi (2008) · Takako Matsu (2009)
Japan Academy Prize for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role Shima Iwashita (1978) · Shinobu Ōtake (1979) · Kaori Momoi (1980) · Chieko Baishō (1981) · Keiko Matsuzaka (1982) · Keiko Matsuzaka (1983) · Rumiko Koyanagi (1984) · Sayuri Yoshinaga (1985) · Mitsuko Baisho (1986) · Ayumi Ishida (1987) · Nobuko Miyamoto (1988) · Sayuri Yoshinaga (1989) · Yoshiko Tanaka (1990) · Keiko Matsuzaka (1991) · Tanie Kitabayashi (1992) · Yoshiko Mita (1993) · Emi Wakui (1994) · Saki Takaoka (1995) · Yūko Asano (1996) · Tamiyo Kusakari (1997) · Hitomi Kuroki (1998) · Mieko Harada (1999) · Shinobu Ōtake (2000) · Sayuri Yoshinaga (2001) · Keiko Kishi (2002) · Rie Miyazawa (2003) · Shinobu Terajima (2004) · Kyōka Suzuki (2005) · Sayuri Yoshinaga (2006) · Miki Nakatani (2007) · Kirin Kiki (2008) · Tae Kimura (2009) · Takako Matsu (2010)
Categories:- 1977 births
- Living people
- Japanese actors
- Japanese female singers
- People from Tokyo
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