Among the people from Tendo, Yamagata Prefecture, is the singer Chiyako Sato. She is called "Japan's first recording singer."
Recording singer number one
Chiyako Sato was born in Tendo in 1897. In 1928, at the age of 31, she recorded songs including "Habu no Minato" for Victor Japan, becoming the first recording singer.
"Tokyo Koshinkyoku" (Tokyo March), released the following year in 1929, was the theme song of a film adapted from Kan Kikuchi's novel of the same name. It is regarded as Japan's first tie-in song, uniting novel, film and song, and became a huge hit selling more than 250,000 copies.
She was also someone who discovered others' talent
Chiyako Sato spread the songs of the composer Shinpei Nakayama. She is also known for discovering the talent of Masao Koga when he was still unknown. She not only sang herself, but worked to bring other people's talent into the light.
She died in 1968.
Getting on board a new vessel early
Records were a completely new technology at the time. Chiyako Sato was someone who jumped into that new vessel early on.
Today, it might be close to starting to share your work through video or the internet. I also keep sharing my paintings through social media and my website. Knowing there was a predecessor from Yamagata who did not hesitate to board a new vessel gives me a little courage.
Mermaid nao's commissioned art tries to deliver painting, an old form of expression, through today's ways of sharing.
Sources
Tendo City, Yamagata (Notable people / Chiyako Sato)
Wikipedia (Chiyako Sato)
Nakano City Library (19th exhibition of authors connected to Nakano: composer Shinpei Nakayama)
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