Yoku Hata

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Yōku Hata (波田陽区, Hata Yōku, real name: Akira Hada (波田晃, Hada Akira), born June 5, 1975 in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture) is a stand up comedian in Japan. He rose to popularity in 2004 with his character "The Guitar Zamurai (Samurai)" (ギター侍) on the program The God of Entertainment (エンタの神様). Dressed in a yukata, his skit always follows the same form. He says a supposed quote about someone famous, and then mocks the quote (and the person) and says "残念!" (zannen!, Too Bad!) Then he imitates the person and finishes that section with a "切り" (giri!, Slash!) as he makes a sword slash movement with his guitar. At the end of a set, he usually says some self-depreciating remark and ends yelling "切腹!" (seppuku!).

After the novelty wore thin on the gimmick, he began to intermittently make appearances on variety shows under the Yoku Hata pseudonym and in regular street clothes.

[edit] Discography

ギター侍のうた (Guitar Samurai's Song, Gitaa-zamurai no uta) (Single, November 17, 2004)
ギター侍は波田陽区。 (Yoku Hata is the Guitar Samurai, Gitaa-zamurai wa Hata Yoku) (DVD, December 1, 2004)
ギター侍のうた弐～完全保存盤～ (Guitar Samurai's Second Song - all-inclusive recording, Gitaa-zamurai no uta ni - kanzen hozen ban) (CD and DVD bundle, February 9, 2005)