Hanayo

Infobox musical artist


Img_size =
Alias =
Background = solo_singer
Born = birth date and age|1976|3|29
Alias =
Origin = North Carolina, USA
Genre = Japanese Pop
Alternative rock
Experimental
Occupation = Musician, artist, photographer, actress
Years_active = 1995 – present
Label =
Associated_acts =
URL = http://www.hanayo.com

nihongo|Hanayo|花代|Nakajima Hanayo|born March 29, 1976 in Tokyo is a Japanese musician and artist. She is known for her playful and subversive artwork, often deeply rooted in Japanese culture.

Background

She was born in North Carolina, USA to Japanese parents who were there temporarily, but she grew up in Tokyo, Japan. In her late teens, she trained there as a geisha, publishing an account of the experience in her 1991 book, "Oshakuchan No. 1".

Career

Hanayo first made headlines in Japan as the only junior geisha to train there for over 30 years.Fact|date=May 2008 She was featured on the cover of the now defunct The Face magazine in full geisha attire.

Her career in the west is most noted for her musical output, her hit single Joe Le Taxi has been featured on many compilations, including the infamous 2 Many DJs on Soulwax. She has been involved with musicians and bands such as Violent Onsen Geisha, Red Crayola, Vapid Dolly, Black Dog, Jun Miyake , Merzbow, Woodman, Kai Althoff, Terre Thaemlitz, The Panacea, Pain Cake (with Locust Fudge) and most recently Wooden Veil.

Hanayo has also performed in theater pieces by Christoph Schlingensief, starred in a Shane O'Sullivan film, and modeled for a Jean Paul Gaultier advertising campaign.

Hanayo currently lives in Berlin, working in the music, art, and performance group [http://www.ponpons.com Ponpons] with matanicola.

Albums

* "Makka Na Shizuku" (1995)
* "Dang Dong" (1995)
* "Hanayo vs The Black Dog, Sayonalala" (1996)
* "Queen Of Pseudo Psychos" (1997) (with Vapid Dolly)
* "Hanayo in Panacea" (1999)
* "Gift" (2000)

Books

* "Oshakuchan No.1" (1991)
* "Hanayome" (1996)
* "Dreammmmm Book" (2000)
* "Hanayo" (2003)

External links

* [http://www.hanayo.com Official page]
* [http://www.myspace.com/hanapoo Official MySpace]
* [http://www.flasher.com/view_profile.php?profile_id=383 Flasher Interview]
* [http://www.pingmag.jp/2006/10/06/hanayo-in-karaoke-photography-and-handbags PingMag Interview]
* [http://www.youtube.com/user/mujinaKintaro PONPONS on YouTube]