Hitoto Yo

Hitoto Yo promoting Kayoukyoku (2012)

Hitoto Yo (一青窈) is a Japanese pop singer-songwriter under For Life Music Entertainment. Until 2009 she was under Columbia Records. Hitoto is best known for her extremely popular debut single "Morai Naki". She is Taiwanese through her father and Japanese through her mother. She originally lived in Taiwan until Kindergarten years, and from then on moved to Japan. Hitoto Yo starred in the 2004 Japanese art film, Café Lumière.

Profile

• Japanese Name: 一青窈 (Hitoto Yo, Hitoto You)
• Chinese Name: 顏窈 (Yan Yao)
• Birthday: 1976.09.20
• Height: 155cm
• Blood Type: O
• Chinese Zodiac: Dragon
• Favourite Artists: David Tao, Missy Elliott, Alicia Keys, Inoue Yosui, Omokage Lucky Hole, RHYMESTER
• Languages: Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, English
• Family: Hitoto Yo has an older sister named Tae (妙). She is six years older than her, and has appeared in several dramas. However, she is actually a dentist.
• Fun Fact: A popular internet meme involves Hitoto's voice slowed in tempo by 20%. Her voice then sounds exactly like Hirai Ken's.

Information

Hitoto Yo lived in Taipei until her kindergarten years, then moved to Japan after her father's death, caused by lung cancer. Hitoto (一青) is not actually her last name, but is her mother's maiden name which she took when she moved back to Japan. However, when Hitoto was 16 her mother died, leaving her sister Tae to take care of her.

After her high-school years, Hitoto enrolled in the prestigious Keiou University, where she majored in Environmental Studies and joined an a cappella group called K.O.E.. She was a backup singer for a while until she met Kitayama Yoichi of The Gospellers, who convinced her to compose music.

Before her Japanese debut, Hitoto sang the video game Dynasty Warriors' Chinese theme song, "Sheng Lu ~Circuit~". This song later appears on her "Edo Polka / Yume Nakaba" single as "Seiro~MAZE" (the kanji is the same for both titles).

Hitoto debuted with the single "Morai Naki", reaching #4 on the Oricon weekly charts and charting for an amazing 68 weeks in the top 200 singles. The single became the #13 single of 2003, and was awarded the Best Hit Artist, with the Debut Artist of the Year award at the Nihon Record Taishou. Since then, Hitoto has recieved sustained popularity, such as with her recent single "Kazaguruma", which was used as the theme song to the movie Semishigure.

In late 2006 Hitoto released her first 'best of' collection, entitled BESTYO. The album, featuring a new song of hers, "Tentou Mushi", was a smash hit. It reached #2 on the Oricon weekly charts and sold over 700,000 copies: making it Hitoto's best selling album.

In November it was announced that Hitoto would be releasing a new single called "Fuyumeku" in January, which was composed by Kobayashi Takeshi. However, later the single was cancelled. The song was even performed at Hitoto's BESTYO Free CONCERTYO open air concert, however when the concert was aired on Yahoo! Douga (Yahoo! Japan's free streaming site) and when a special edition of BESTYO called BESTYO+CONCERTYO featuring the concert on DVD was released Fuyumeku was not present on eiter.

In the January edition of FRIDAY gossip magazine, followed by several other publications, that Hitoto Yo was committing adultery with Kobayashi Takeshi. Kobayashi had been married with his bandmate akko from My Little Lover since 1996, and in May announced their divorce. At the same time Kobayashi announced his intentions to marry Hitoto.

Discography

Hitoto Yo promoting "BESTYO" (2006)

Hitoto Yo promoting "Tsunaide Te" (2007)

Hitoto Yo promoting "Key" (2008)

Hitoto Yo promoting "Unto Shiawase" (2009)

Hitoto Yo promoting Karengai (2010)

Hitoto Yo promoting "Jidai" (2011)

Studio Albums

• [2002.12.18] Tsukitenshin (月天心; When the Moon is at it's Highest in the Sky)
• [2004.04.07] Hitoto Omoi (一青想; Thoughts of Hitoto)
• [2005.12.21] &
• [2008.03.05] Key
• [2010.04.21] Karengai (花蓮街; Hualien City)
• [2012.06.27] Hitotoiro (一青十色)

Best Albums

• [2006.11.29] BESTYO
• [2007.04.18] BESTYO+CONCERTYO
• [2009.01.21] BESTYO+INSTYO
• [2010.08.10] Hanamizuki -Kimi to Daisuki na Hito ga Hyakunen Tsuzukimasu You ni- (ハナミズキ -君と好きな人が百年続きますように-)

Live Albums

• [2008.11.29] CONCERT TOUR 2008 "Key~Talkie Doorkey~ Live CD @ NHK hall

Cover Albums

• [2012.04.18] Kayoukyoku (歌窈曲)

Singles

• [2002.10.30] Morai Naki (もらい泣き; Infectious Tears)
• [2003.03.19] Da Jia (大家(ダージャ); [Zh]: Everyone)
• [2003.07.04] Kingyo Sukui (金魚すくい; Goldfish-Scooping Game)
• [2003.11.12] Edo Polka / Yume Nakaba (江戸ポルカ / 夢なかば; Mid-Dreaming)
• [2004.02.11] Hanamizuki (ハナミズキ; Flowering Dogwood)
• [2005.04.20] Kagefumi (影踏み; Tramling Down Fears)
• [2005.09.21] Kazaguruma (かざぐるま; Pinwheel)
• [2005.12.07] Yubikiri (指切り; Pinky Promise)
• [2007.09.19] Tsunaide Te (つないで手; Hands Held Together)
• [2007.12.05] 「Tadaima」 (「ただいま」; I'm Home)
• [2008.01.30] Ukeirete (受け入れて; Receiving)
• [2008.11.19] Hajimete (はじめて; First Time)
• [2009.10.07] Your Medicine ~ Atashi ga Anata no Kusuri ni Natte Ageru (ユア メディスン～私があなたの薬になってあげる; I'll Become Your Medicine)
• [2009.11.04] Unto Shiawase (うんと幸せ; Lots Of Happiness)
• [2010.02.24] Fuyumeku / Hana no Ato (冬めく / 花のあと; Wintry / Remains Of A Flower)
• [2012.05.23] dots and lines / Tomeru (dots and lines / とめる)
• [2012.06.06] Michi Annai / Ai to Makoto no Fantasia (道案内 / 愛と誠のファンタアジア)

Split Singles

• [2012.12.12] YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! ~100-mannin de Tsukuro Genki no Uta~ (YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! ~100万人でつくろう元気のうた~) (KAN, Kimaguren, Hitoto Yo)

Digital Singles

• [2011.12.01] Jidai (時代; Era)
• [2012.01.25] Lesson
• [2012.02.29] Parasol Aika (パラソル哀歌)
• [2012.03.28] Tanin no Kankei (他人の関係)

DVDs

• [2003.10.01] Sugatami Hitotonari (姿見一青也)
• [2004.12.01] Hitoto Yo LIVE TOUR 2004 ~Tetoshan~ (一青窈 LIVE TOUR 2004 ~てとしゃん~)
• [2006.02.01] Hitoto Yo Yumamachi Bansking ~Hairanse~ (一青窈 夢街バンスキング~はいらんせ~)
• [2006.09.06] Hitoto Yo LIVE DVD Yo&U Tour '06
• [2008.05.21] Shigusa Uta (思草歌; Action Songs)
• [2008.11.29] Hitoto Yo CONCERT TOUR 2008 「Key~Talkie Doorkey」 Live DVD @ NHK hall
• [2010.08.11] Mizuchou Hana -2 LIVE DVD acoustic & orchestra- (水蝶花 -2 LIVE DVD acoustic & orchestra-)

Other DVDs

• [2005.12.21] ap bank fes '05 (#4 Hanamizuki, #34 to U)
• [2006.12.21] ap bank fes '06 (#21 Tentou Mushi, #45 to U)
• [2009.02.25] ap bank fes '08
• [2009.02.25] Tange Kouki - TANGE KOUKI VIDEO COLLECTION (#13 Tsunaide te)
• [2009.12.09] Minna de Dori Suru? DO YOU DREAMS COME TRUE? SPECIAL LIVE! (#12 SAYONARA, #13 Ano Natsu no Hanabi)
• [2010.04.21] ap bank fes '09
• [2012.02.29] ap bank fes '11 Fund for Japan (#10 Jidai)

Compilation / Other

• [2002.02.21] Dynasty Warriors Kyuukyoku Onban (#36 Sheng Lu ~Circuit~, #39 Sheng Lu ~Circuit~ (Instrumental))
• [2003.01.22] PIANO MAN ~FOR YUMING LOVERS~ (#11 Haru yo, Koi)
• [2003.04.23] 31HITS ~THE GOLD DISC AWARD 2003~ (#25 Morai Naki)
• [2004.11.10] YOSUI TRIBUTE (#13 Jealousy)
• [2006.03.22] Dynasty Warriors Original Soundtrack Kyuukyoku Box (#71 Sheng Lu ~Circuit~, #74 Sheng Lu ~Circuit~ (Instrumental))
• [2006.06.14] Dynasty Warriors Original Soundtrack Kyuukyoku Best (#12 Sheng Lu ~Circuit~)
• [2006.11.29] Bay Side Love ~Love Song Collection~ (#12 Nennensaisai)
• [2007.10.17] Hattori Ryoichi ~Tanjou 100 Shuunen Kinen Tribute Album~ (#10 Tokyo no Yane no Shita)
• [2008.07.02] Koi no Uta (#13 Ureshii Koto)
• [2008.10.29] Hata Motohiro - ALRIGHT (#14 Kuuchuu Blanco with Hitoto Yo)
• [2009.01.21] Okaeri (#6 "Tadaima")
• [2009.01.29] .LOVE (#8 Hanamizuki)
• [2009.02.18] Monsieur Kamayatsu - 1939 ~ MONSIEUR (#6 Bang Bang Bang feat. Hitoto Yo)
• [2009.02.18] "Daremo Shiranai Nakeru Uta" Official Gaiden Compilation Album Morai Naki Hen (#3 Morai Naki)
• [2009.03.25] Ga-Ki ~Aku Yu Tribute~ (#2 Shiroi Chou no Samba)
• [2009.03.25] Kokoro no Shizuku ~Mirai ni Tsugarete Iku Uta~ (#4 Hanamizuki)
• [2009.03.25] Happy Wedding (#8 Hanamizuki)
• [2009.10.07] Memories ~ Namida Afuretemo (#1 Morai Naki)
• [2010.01.12] Movie "BANDAGE" Soundtrack "ANOTHER BANDAGE" (#3 Saikoro)
• [2010.07.21] Zexy Presents Happy Songs (#6 Hanamizuki)
• [2011.01.12] We Love Mackey (#10 SPY (Hitoto Yo feat. SOIL & "PIMP" SESSIONS))
• [2011.10.05] Utahime Premiere -White- (Disc 2 #2 Kazaguruma)
• [2012.03.07] JAPAN UNITED with MUSIC - All You Need Is Love
• [2012.05.05] KING OF SONGWRITER ~SONGS OF KIYOSHIRO COVERS~ (#13 Sekaijuu no Hito ni Jiman Shitai yo)
• [2012.09.19] Tanimura Shinji - NINE (#8 Houseki Shin (Tanimura Shinji x Hitoto Yo))
• [2012.12.19] Murakami "Ponta" Shuichi - Rhythm Monster (#2 Fever feat. Hitoto Yo)

Credits

Ayase Haruka

• Intersection Days (Lyrics)

Ito Sakiko

• Onna no Uta (Lyrics)

Koyanagi Rumiko

• Ao Ringo (Lyrics)

Nakamura Masatoshi

• Cicada (Lyrics)

Salyu

• Apple Pie (Lyrics)
• be there (Lyrics)
• heartquake (Lyrics)
• name (Lyrics)
• Tower (Lyrics)
• Yue ni (Lyrics)

External links

• Official Website
• Official For Life Music Entertainment Profile
• Official Columbia Records Profile