When was Joe Hisaishi born and what was his birth name?
Joe Hisaishi was born as Mamoru Hamaguchi in Nakano, Nagano, Japan. He adopted the professional name Joe Hisaishi in 1975.
Common questions about Joe Hisaishi
Short answers, pulled from the story.
How did Joe Hisaishi choose his professional name?
Joe Hisaishi adopted his professional name in 1975 as a play on words involving American music legend Quincy Jones. The kanji characters for Hisaishi can be read as Kuishi, which sounds similar to the Japanese transliteration of Quincy, while the first name Joe was taken directly from Jones.
When did Joe Hisaishi start collaborating with Hayao Miyazaki?
The partnership between Joe Hisaishi and director Hayao Miyazaki began in 1983 when Tokuma recommended him to create an image album for Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. From 1984 onwards, Hisaishi composed scores for all but one of Miyazaki's films.
What is the significance of the 1999 film Kikujiro for Joe Hisaishi?
The 1999 film Kikujiro produced the title track Summer, which has become one of Joe Hisaishi's most recognized compositions. This work is part of his distinct and powerful partnership with filmmaker Takeshi Kitano that began in 1991.
When did Joe Hisaishi join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences?
Joe Hisaishi was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on the 28th of June 2013. He also served as an invited professor at the Japanese National College of Music in 2010.
What awards has Joe Hisaishi won for his music?
Joe Hisaishi has won seven Japanese Academy Awards for Best Music, with victories in 1992, 1993, 1994, 1999, 2000, 2009, and 2011. In November 2009, he received the Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon from the Government of Japan, and in November 2023, he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, 4th Class, Gold Rays with Rosette.