Chitose Hajime

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Chitose Hajime
元ちとせ
Chitose Hajime on her 2005 single "Kataritsugu Koto"
Chitose Hajime on her 2005 single "Kataritsugu Koto"
Background information
Birth name 元ちとせ (Hajime, Chitose)
Born January 5, 1979 (1979-01-05) (age 29)
Origin Flag of Japan Amami Ōshima, Japan
Occupation(s) Singer
Years active 2001-present
Label(s) Atsuga Records (2001)
Epic Records (2001-present)
Website http://www.hajimechitose.com/

Chitose Hajime (元ちとせ Hajime Chitose?, born January 5, 1979) is a singer from Japan. She is from Amami Ōshima and sings in a style particular to that region, with distinctive falsetto effects. Because of this, it is said that her voice has a relaxing effect that has been observed in electroencephalograms taken from the brains of people listening to her singing.

Chitose Hajime was recognized as a gifted folk singer at a young age. She won many folk song competitions, released two traditional folk albums on an indie label, and was approached by numerous record labels. She decided to study to become a beautician instead of pursuing music. However, Hajime had severe allergic reactions to many of the chemicals used by beauticians. She withdrew from school, and seriously considered a music career.

In 2001, she released a self titled mini-album on the indie label Office Augusta. The album was covers of older songs, but was so well received that Hajime was pushed to release another mini-album. In August of 2001, Chitose released her second mini-album with Augusta Records entitled Kotonoha (コトノハ?). This release featured 5 original tracks.

In 2002 she released her first major label single on Epic Records - "Wadatsumi no Ki" (ワダツミの木?). It was the third highest selling single of the year behind only Hikaru Utada's "traveling", and Ayumi Hamasaki's "H". Three months later, she released a brand new single, "Kimi wo Omō" (君ヲ想フ?). While also very popular, it was not nearly the success that her first single was, although it did help to cement her as a permanent artist.

Her first major album, Hainumikaze (ハイヌミカゼ?), followed later in the year. It sold 800,000 copies, charted for 57 weeks, and was the 16th highest selling album of the year.

She released 3 more singles before her second major album, Nomad Soul (ノマド・ソウル nomado souru?), was released in 2003. Shortly after a concert tour, and the release of a live album and DVD in 2004, Hajime announced that she would be taking time away from the music scene to get married, and have a child. Her first child miscarried, but she successfully gave birth to a girl on January 20, 2005.

She returned to the music industry in November of 2005 with the single "Kataritsugu Koto" (語り継ぐこと?), the ending theme for the anime BLOOD+. The single was a hit, reaching #12 on the Oricon charts. She followed this success with her next come-back single, "Haru no Katami" (春のかたみ?), the ending theme for the anime AYAKASHI - Japanese Classic Horror. This single sold 6050 copies in its first week, and remained on the charts for 7 weeks total. A third single was released before her next album. The single, "Ao no Requiem" (青のレクイエム?), was the theme song for the Studio GAGA film Hatsukoi. It featured 1 extra track, and charted for 3 weeks. The following week, Hajime released her third original major album, Hanadairo (ハナダイロ?). The album was available in both a regular edition, and a limited edition. The limited edition featured a 13th track, "Shinda Onna no Ko" (死んだ女の子?) with Ryuichi Sakamoto), as well as a DVD containing the music videos for "Kataritsugu Koto", and "Haru no Katami".

Contents

[edit] Discography

[edit] Indie Albums

  • [1994.08.12] Higya Merabe (ひぎゃ女童) - Cassette Tape, Central Gakki Records

Side A

  1. Naga Asabana Bushi (長朝花節)
  2. Shonjoshu Bushi (俊良主節)
  3. Kurudando Bushi (くるだんど節)
  4. Magaryo Takajichi Bushi (曲がりょ高頂節)
  5. Rankan Boshi Bushi (らんかん橋節)　　　　 　　　
  6. Amagurumi Bushi (雨黒み節)
  7. Shumichi Nagahama Bushi (塩道長浜節)
  8. Honen Bushi (豊年節)
  9. Komori Uta (子守唄)

Side B

  1. Yukyunnya Kana Bushi (行きゅんにゃ加那節)
  2. Nagakumo Bushi (長雲節)
  3. Shunkane Bushi (シュンカネ節)
  4. Yoisura Bushi (ヨイスラ節)
  5. Kunnyori Yoneago Bushi (国直よね姉節)
  6. Kantsume Bushi (かんつめ節)
  7. Shogachi Gin (正月着物)
  8. Choukikujo (ちょうきく女節)
  9. Mucha Kana Bushi (むちゃ加那節)
  • [2002.06.09] Shima • Kyora • Umui (故郷・美ら・思い) - originally released in 1997, it was re-released in 2002 by Central Gakki Records
  1. Asakasetsu (朝花節)
  2. Nagatomohanasetsu (長朝花節)
  3. Shonjoshusetsu (俊良主節)
  4. Kurudandosetsu (くるだんど節)
  5. Kantsumesetsu (かんつめ節)
  6. Shonkanesetsu (シュンカネ節)
  7. Rankanhashisetsu (らんかん橋節)
  8. Amekurumisetsu (雨黒み節)
  9. Shusetsunagahamasetsu (塩道長浜節)
  10. Yoshinori Nabe Kanasetsu (嘉徳なべ加那節)
  11. Kunnyoriyoneagosetsu (国直よね姉節)
  12. Osakumosetsu (長雲節)
  13. Mucha Kanasetsu (むちゃ加那節)
  14. Chookikujosetsu (ちょうきく女節)
  15. Itoayatsurisetsu (糸繰り節)
  16. Yoisurasetsu (ヨイスラ節)
  17. Ikyonnyakanasetsu (行きゅんにゃ加那節)
  18. Ikyooresetsu (行きょうれ節)
  19. Kubamehasetsu (くばぬ葉節)
  20. Magaryo Takachidjisetsu (曲がりょ高頂節)
  21. Shoogatsugin (正月着物)
  22. Hoonensetsu (豊年節)
  • [2001.03.10] Hajime Chitose - mini album, Augusta Records
  1. Birthday
  2. Namae no nai Tori (名前のない鳥)
  3. Sweet Jane
  4. Little Wing
  5. Fuyu no Sanitorium (冬のサナトリウム)
  6. Home Again
  • [2001.08.01] Kotonoha (コトノハ) - mini album, Augusta Records
  1. Kotonoha (コトノハ)
  2. Yakusoku (約束)
  3. Ryuuguu no Tsukai (竜宮の使い)
  4. Seirei (精霊)
  5. Sanhachigatsu (三八月)

[edit] Major Albums

  • [2002.07.10] Hainumikaze (ハイヌミカゼ)
  1. Sango Jugoya (サンゴ十五夜)
  2. Wadatsumi no Ki (ワダツミの木)
  3. Natsu no Utage (夏の宴)
  4. Hikaru Kaigara (ひかる・かいがら)
  5. Shinshin Raika (心神雷火)
  6. 37.6
  7. Hatsukoi (初恋)
  8. Hainumikaze (ハイヌミカゼ)
  9. Kimi wo Omou (君ヲ想フ)
  10. Rinto Suru (凛とする)
  • [2003.09.03] Nomad Soul (ノマド・ソウル)
  1. Triangle (トライアングル)
  2. Neiro Nanairo (音色七色)
  3. Sen no Yoru to Sen no Hiru (千の夜と千の昼)
  4. Itsuka Kaze ni Naru Hi (いつか風になる日)
  5. Hisui (翡翠)
  6. Aurora Sora Kara Mitsumete Iru (オーロラの空から見つめている)
  7. Kono Machi (この街)
  8. Getsurei 17.4 (月齢１７．４)
  9. Yuri Collection (百合コレクション)
  10. Uragano Oka (ウルガの丘)
  • [2004.08.04] Fuyu no Hainumikaze (冬のハイヌミカゼ) - Double Disc Live Album

Disc 1

  1. Kotonoha
  2. Triangle
  3. Byakuya
  4. Aurora no Sora kara Mitsumete Iru
  5. Getsurei 17.4
  6. Hainumikaze
  7. Kimi wo Omou
  8. Yuri Collection
  9. Yoru ni Yomeru Uta
  10. Namae no Nai Tori
  11. 37.6
  12. Shooryoo
  13. Kono Machi

Disc 2

  1. Sango Jugoya
  2. Shinshi Raika
  3. Sanpono no Susume
  4. Hummingbird
  5. Neiro Nanairo
  6. Wadatsumi no Ki
  7. Sen no Yoru to Sen no Hiru
  8. Itsuka Kaze ni Naru Hi
  9. Mihachigatsu
  10. Uruga no Oka
  11. Hikaru Kaigara
  • [2006.05.10] Hanadairo (ハナダイロ)
  1. Hitsuji no Dolly (羊のドリー)
  2. Maebure (前兆)
  3. Ao no Requiem (青のレクイエム)
  4. Yomihitoshirazu (詠み人知らず)
  5. Hanadairo (はなだいろ)
  6. Haru no Katami (春のかたみ)
  7. Tsuyukusa no Yoru (蛍草の夜)
  8. Kyouryuu no Egaki Gata (恐竜の描き方)
  9. Reimei (黎明)
  10. Amurita (甘露)
  11. Kaze to Uta to Inori (風と歌と祈り)
  12. Kataritsugu Koto (語り継ぐこと)
  13. Shinda Onna no Ko (死んだ女の子) - Available on First Press Edition Only (written by Turkish poet Nazim Hikmet)

[edit] Singles

  • [2002.02.06] Wadatsumi no Ki (ワダツミの木)
  1. Wadatsumi no Ki (ワダツミの木)
  2. Maboroshi no Tsuki (幻の月)
  3. Yoru ni Yomeru Uta (夜に詠める　うた)
  • [2002.05.22] Kimi wo Omou (君ヲ想フ)
  1. Kimi o Omou ( 君ヲ想フ)
  2. Oyasumi (おやすみ)
  3. BLUE
  • [2002.11.07] Kono Machi (この街)
  1. Kono Machi (この街)
  2. Hummingbird (ハミングバード)
  3. Rinto Suru -strings version- (凛とする－strings version－)
  • [2003.06.11] Sen no Yoru to Sen no Hiru (千の夜と千の昼)
  1. Sen no Yoru to Sen no Hiru (千の夜と千の昼)
  2. Byakuya (白夜)
  3. TRUE COLOURS
  • [2003.08.13] Itsuka Kaze ni Naru Hi (いつか風になる日)
  1. Itsuka Kaze ni Naru Hi (いつか風になる日)
  2. Sanpono no Susume (散歩のススメ)
  • [2005.11.23] Kataritsugu Koto (語り継ぐこと)
  1. Kataritsugu Koto (語り継ぐこと)
  2. Tsuki wo Nusumu (月を盗む)
  3. Happiness is a Warm Gun
  • [2006.03.08] Haru no Katami (春のかたみ)
  1. Haru no Katami (春のかたみ)
  2. Ai to Iu Na no Okurimono (愛という名の贈りもの)
  3. Perfect
  • [2006.05.03] Ao no Requiem (青のレクイエ)
  1. Ao no Requiem (青のレクイエム)
  2. Tooku e Ikitai (遠くへ行きたい)
  • [2007.08.22] Anata ga Koko ni Ite Hoshii/Miyori no Mori (あなたがここにいてほしい/ミヨリの森)
  1. Anata ga Koko ni Ite Hoshii (あなたがここにいてほしい)
  2. Miyori no Mori (ミヨリの森)
  3. Bojou Love is a Many Splendored Thing (慕情　Love is a many splendored thing)
  4. Ushinawareta Mono-tachi e (失われたものたちへ)

[edit] DVD

  • [2004.08.04] Music Film Hajime Chitose Live - Fuyu no Hainumikaze (ミュージック・フィルム　元ちとせライヴ「冬のハイヌミカゼ」) - DVD Featuring Live Performances and a 'Music Film' of Chitose in Amami O-Shima

Music Film track list

  1. Kotonoha (コトノハ)
  2. Triangle (トライアングル)
  3. Hainumikaze (ハイヌミカゼ)
  4. Kimi o Omou (君ヲ想フ)
  5. Yuri Collection (百合コレクション)
  6. Hikaru Kaigara (ひかるかいがら)
  7. Seirei (精霊)
  8. Kono Machi (この街)
  9. Shinshin Raika (心神雷火)
  10. 37.6
  11. Wadatsumi no Ki (ワダツミの木)
  12. Sen no Yoru to Sen no Hiru (千の夜と千の昼)
  13. Itsuka Kaze ni Naru Hi (いつか風になる日)

Bonus Live Material

  1. Kotonoha (コトノハ)
  2. Triangle (トライアングル)
  3. Getsurei 17.4 (月齢 17.4)
  4. Yoru ni Yomeru Uta (夜に詠める歌)
  5. 37.6
  6. Seirei (精霊)
  7. Sango Jugoya (サンゴ十五夜)
  8. Sanpo no Susume (散歩のススメ)
  9. Hummingbird (ハミングバード)
  10. Neiro Nanairo (音色七色)
  11. Wadatsumi no Ki (ワダツミの木)
  12. Itsuka Kaze ni Naru Hi (いつか風になる日)
  13. Sanhachigatsu (三八月)
  14. Uruga no Oka (ウルガの丘)

[edit] External links