Junko Sakurada

Junko Sakurada
桜田 淳子
Born 1958
Akita, Japan[1]
Nationality Japanese
Occupation Singer and actress
Religion Unification Church
Children 3
Awards 5 wins, 2 nominations

Junko Sakurada (桜田 淳子 Sakurada Junko?, born 1958) is a Japanese singer and actress. She was part of a music trio in 1973, which included Momoe Yamaguchi and Masako Mori. Sakurada then became successful in a solo music career. In 1979 Sakurada appeared in a film made by the production company Toho, and became popular as an actress. She received multiple awards for her acting roles, including the Hochi Film Award, Award of the Japanese Academy, Kinema Junpo Award, and Mainichi Film Concours. Sakurada, a member of the Unification Church, participated in an arranged mass wedding held by the church and presided over by church founder Sun Myung Moon and his wife Hak Ja Han, in 1992. Publicity about her membership led to a decline in popularity, and she withdrew from public life. In 1999, representatives for the church said that she was happily married with three children, and did not wish to speak with the press.

Contents

Biography

Sakurada was born in 1958.[2] She is a singer and actress.[3] In 1973, she was part of "a hit female trio", which also included musicians Momoe Yamaguchi and Masako Mori.[4] The music trio became popular as part of the television program Producing the Stars (Star Tanjō!); they were known as "The Trio of Third-Year Junior High School Students" ("Hana no Chu 3 Trio").[5] According to Japan Pop!: Inside the World of Japanese Popular Culture, after this experience in a music group, she went off on her own to develop a solo music career, and became a megastar.[4] Cruising the Anime City: An Otaku Guide to Neo Tokyo described Sakurada as a 1970s music idol, like Pink Lady and Linda Yamamoto.[6] Sakurada's music inspired then 15-year-old Junichi Hirokami, who would go on to become a classical conductor.[7] Hirokami started a fan club dedicated to Sakurada in 1973, located in Chigasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture close to Tokyo.[7] In 1979, Sakurada appeared as a principal cast member in the film The House of Hanging (Byoinzaka no kubi kukuri no ie), made by production company Toho.[8] By 1991, she had become a "movie heartthrob".[9]

Sakurada is a member of the Unification Church founded by Sun Myung Moon in Seoul, South Korea in 1954.[3][10] According to The Washington Times, which is owned by the Unification Church affiliated News World Communications, Sakurada joined the church in 1977.[11] In July 1992, Sakurada announced she would allow Moon to select a husband for her in an arranged marriage. This led to "a mad scramble among young Japanese men" competing to be her groom.[12] In August 1992, Sakurada took part in a Blessing ceremony of the Unification Church in Seoul, South Korea along with 10,000 other couples representing 131 nations.[10][13] [10] Her husband is a Japanese businessman who is also a Unification Church member and an official within the church.[14] Sakurada said to journalists that she felt "very happy" to have married a husband selected for her by Moon.[2]

According to The Australian, "Ms Sakurada disappeared from public life soon after the ceremony."[10] One of Sakurada's last roles as a star was in the television piece Don't Call Me Auntie (Obasan Nante Yobanai de) on NHK.[15] According to The Daily Yomiuri, "This was one of Junko Sakurada's last starring roles before she fell out of favor with the public. Since she took part in the Rev. Moon's Unification Church mass marriage in Seoul in August, it is said that her commercial contracts have evaporated."[15] In 1999 a church spokesperson said: "Ms Sakurada is living happily with her husband and three children. She does not want to talk to the press."[16][10]

Works

Music

Kōhaku Uta Gassen
Charted Singles
# Title Release Date/Chart Position
1 Tenshi mo Yume Miru (天使も夢みる The Dreams of an Angel?)
Debut single		 1973-02-25 (#12)
2 Tenshi no Hatsukoi (天使の初恋 Angel's First Love?) 1973-05-25 (#27)
3 Watashi no Aoi Tori (わたしの青い鳥 My Blue Bird?)
Covered by Morning Musume		 1973-08-25 (#18)
4 Hana Monogatari (花物語 Flower Story?)
First top ten hit		 1973-11-10 (#9)
5 San Shoku Sumire (三色すみれ Tricolor Violet?) 1974-03-05 (#10)
6 Kiiroi Ribbon (黄色いリボン Yellow Ribbon?) 1974-05-25 (#10)
7 Hana Uranai (花占い Prophetic Flower?) 1974-08-25 (#9)
8 Hajimete no Dekigoto (はじめての出来事 First Affair?)' 1974-12-05 (#1)
9 Hitori Aruki (ひとり歩き Walking Alone?)
 1975-03-05 (#4)
10 Shiroi Kaze Yo (白い風よ White Wind?) 1975-05-10 (#9)
11 Jyuushichi no Natsu (十七の夏 Summer of the '70's?)
Covered by W		 1975-06-05 (#2)
12 Tenshi no Kuchibiru (天使のくちびる Lips of an Angel?) 1975-08-25 (#4)
13 Yureteru Watashi (ゆれてる私 Sway Me?) 1975-11-25 (#5)
14 Naka Naiwa (泣かないわ I'm Crying?) 1976-02-25 (#4)
15 Natsu ni go Yōjin (夏にご用心 Beware of the Summer?) 1976-05-25 (#2)
16 Ki ga Tsuite yo (気がついてよ I Noticed?)
 1976-08-25 (#2)
17 Mō Ichido Dakefuri Muite (もう一度だけふり向いて Go Back, Just Once More?) 1976-12-05 (#11)
18 Anata no Subete (あなたのすべて All of You?)
 1977-02-25 (#6)
19 Kimagure Venus (気まぐれヴィーナス Fickle Venus?) 1977-05-15 (#7)
20 Mou Modorenai (もう戻れない Can't Go Back?) 1977-09-05 (#8)
21 Shiawase Shibai (しあわせ芝居 Pretending To Be Happy?) 1977-11-05 (#3)
22 Oikakete Yokohama (追いかけてヨコハマ Chasing Yokohama?) 1978-02-25 (#11)
23 Lipstick (リップスティック?) 1978-06-05 (#10)
24 Hatachi ni Nareba (20才になれば 20 Years Old?) 1978-09-05 (#14)
25 Fuyu Iro no Machi (冬色の街 Winter-Colored Town?) 1978-12-25 (#29)
26 Santa Monica no Kaze (サンタモニカの風 Winds of Santa Monica?) 1979-02-25 (#24)
27 MISS KISS (-?) 1979-05-25 (#25)
28 Party is Over (パーティー・イズ・オーバー?) 1979-08-25 (#51)
29 LADY (-?) 1979-11-25 (#51)
30 Utsukushii Natsu (美しい夏 Beautiful Summer?) 1980-04-21 (#44)
31 Yuugure wa Love Song (夕暮れはラブ・ソング Twilight Love Song?) 1980-07-21 (#65)
32 Kōbe de Aetara (神戸で逢えたら When we Met in Kobe?) 1980-10-21 (#85)
33 Keshō (化粧 Cosmetics?) 1981-01-01 (#42)
34 Misty (ミスティー?) 1981-06-05 (#53)
Studio albums
# Title Release Date
1 Soyokaze No Tenshi (そよ風の天使 Angel Breeze?)
Debut album		 1973-06-25
2 Watashi No Aoi Tori (わたしの青い鳥 My Blue Bird?) 1973-09-25
3 Junko To Hana Monogatari (淳子と花物語 Junko's Flower Fairytales?) 1974-01-10
4 San Shoku Sumire (三色すみれ Tricolor Violet?) 1973-03-25
5 Jurokusai No Kanjou (16才の感情 Feelings Of A Sixteen Year Old?)
 1974-08-25
6 Spoon Ippai No Shiawase (スプーン一杯の幸せ Spoonful Of Happiness?) 1975-03-25
7 Watashi No Sugao (わたしの素顔 I Am Famous?) 1975-07-05
8 Seishun Zenki (青春前期 Early Youth?)' 1976-04-05
9 Atsui Kokoro No Shoutaijou (熱い心の招待状 Warm Hearts Invitation?)
 1976-12-05
10 Love (ラブ?)
 1977-07-25
11 Shiawase Shibai (しあわせ芝居 Pretending To Be Happy?) 1977-12-05
12 Stained Glass (ステンドグラス?) 1978-04-25
13 Hatachi Ni Nareba (20才になれば 20 Years Old?)
 1978-10-25
14 Ai No Romance (愛のロマンス Romance Of Love?) 1979-03-05
15 Ichimai No He (一枚の絵 Unfinished Painting?)
 1979-06-01
16 Party Is Over (パーティー・イズ・オーバー?) 1979-09-05
17 Anata Kamo Shirenai (あなたかもしれない You Could Be?) 1981-03-05
18 My Dear (-?) 1981-11-05
19 Naturally (ナチュラリー?) 1983-09-23
Live Albums
# Title Release Date
1 Jurokusai No Recital (16才のリサイタル Recital Of A Sixteen Year Old?)
 1974-12-21
2 Viva Seventeen (ビバ・セブンティーン?) 1975-12-21
3 Seishun Zanka - Recital 3 (青春讃歌〜リサイタル3 Youth Anthem - 3d Recital?) 1976-12-21
4 Junko Recital 4 (淳子リサイタル4 Junko's 4th Recital?) 1977-12-21
5 Junko Recital 5 (淳子リサイタル5 Junko's 5th Recital?)
 1978-12-21
6 Junko Super Live (淳子スーパーライブ?) 1979-12-21
7 Shishousetsu (私小説 Romantic?) 1980-12-21
Greatest Hits Releases
# Title Release Date
1 Grand Deluxe (グランド・デラックス?)
 1974-07-05
2 Best Collection '75 (ベストコレクション'75?) 1974-12-05
3 Super Deluxe (スーパー・デラックス?) 1975-08-05
4 Best Collection '76 (ベストコレクション'76?) 1975-11-20
5 Best Hit Album (ベスト・ヒット・アルバム?)
 1976-10-25
6 Junko (淳子?) 1977-06-25
7 Best Hit Album (ベスト・ヒット・アルバム?) 1978-06-25
8 Shiawase Shibai/Watashi No Aoi Tori (しあわせ芝居／わたしの青い鳥?)' 1979-07-01
9 Best Album - My Road (ベストアルバム My Road?)
 1980-12-05
10 COLEZO! Junko Sakurada - Best (COLEZO! 桜田淳子ベスト?)
 2005-03-09
11 COLEZO! TWIN Junko Sakurada (COLEZO! TWIN 桜田淳子?) 2005-12-16
12 GOLDEN BEST Junko Sakurada (GOLDEN☆BEST 桜田淳子?) 2007-07-25
13 GOLDEN BEST - Complete Single Collection (GOLDEN☆BEST コンプリート・シングル・コレクション?)
 2009-09-16

Film

Television

Awards and nominations

Year Award Work Category Result
1987 Hochi Film Award Itazu - Kuma Best Supporting Actress Won[17][18]
1988 Award of the Japanese Academy Itazu - Kuma Best Supporting Actress Nominated[17]
Kinema Junpo Award Itazu - Kuma Best Supporting Actress Won[17]
1990 Award of the Japanese Academy Hana no furu gogo Best Supporting Actress Nominated[17]
1993 Hochi Film Award Ohikkoshi Best Supporting Actress Won[17][19]
1994 Kinema Junpo Award Ohikkoshi Best Supporting Actress Won[17]
Mainichi Film Concours Ohikkoshi Best Supporting Actress Won[17]

See also

References

  1. ^ Sekine, Hiroshi (1995). Cinderellas: the selected poetry of Sekine Hiroshi. Yakusha. p. 243. ISBN 1880276550. http://books.google.com/books?id=M9KBAAAAIAAJ&dq=junko+sakurada+akita&hl=en. 
  2. ^ a b Agence France-Presse (August 26, 1992). "60,000 Married By Rev. Moon". Chicago Sun-Times (Chicago Sun-Times, Inc.): p. 14. 
  3. ^ a b West, Mark D. (2007). Secrets, Sex, and Spectacle: The Rules of Scandal in Japan and the United States. University Of Chicago Press. pp. 169, 188. ISBN 0226894088. 
  4. ^ a b Craig, Timothy J. (2000). Japan Pop!: Inside the World of Japanese Popular Culture. M.E. Sharpe. p. 317. ISBN 0765605619. 
  5. ^ Mainichi Daily News staff (February 7, 1999). "Bands must dance to producers' beat". Mainichi Daily News. 
  6. ^ Machiyama, Tomohiro (2004). Cruising the Anime City: An Otaku Guide to Neo Tokyo. Stone Bridge Press. p. 59. ISBN 1880656884. 
  7. ^ a b Ikeda, Takuo (August 30, 1993). "Youthful conductor finds roots in rock; Critics dislike 'outspoken' performances". The Nikkei Weekly (Japan): p. 20. 
  8. ^ Quandt, James (2001). Kon Ichikawa. Indiana University Press. p. 436. ISBN 0968296939. 
  9. ^ Reid, T.R. (November 7, 1991). "Japan offers Bush understanding - Cancellation of Presidential visit is a rerun but still big news". The Washington Post (The Washington Post Company): p. A44. 
  10. ^ a b c d e Stokes, Alan (February 8, 1999). "One missing from Moonstruck mass". The Australian (New South Wales, Australia: News Limited). 
  11. ^ Breen, Michael (August 26, 1992). "Strangers of the morning shout 'I do' 60,000 times". The Washington Times (News World Communications): p. A1. 
  12. ^ Snow, Misti; Jeff Strickler (July 20, 1992). "Hot Topics". Star Tribune (Minneapolis, Minnesota): p. 01E. 
  13. ^ The Daily Yomiuri staff (March 6, 1993). "Unification Church Questioned; For Controversial Religious Sales". The Daily Yomiuri: p. 2. 
  14. ^ Rafferty, Kevin (August 21, 1992). "Moon shines for Seoul mates in mass unification". The Guardian (Guardian Newspapers Limited): p. 8. 
  15. ^ a b "Televiews by Wm. Penn". The Daily Yomiuri: p. 18. October 10, 1992. 
  16. ^ Osedo, Hiroshi (February 6, 1999). "Moonies plan mass wedding". The Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Australia: Nationwide News Pty Limited): p. 026. 
  17. ^ a b c d e f g Internet Movie Database staff (2009). "Awards for Junko Sakurada". Internet Movie Database (IMDb.com, Inc.). http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0757304/awards. Retrieved 2009-12-13. 
  18. ^ "Taxing VS Best Picture The Emperor's Naked stormy discussion over" (in Japanese [translated]). Cinem@Hochi. 28 December 1987. http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=en&u=http://cinemahochi.yomiuri.co.jp/h_award/1987/&rurl=translate.google.com&usg=ALkJrhgf3GHliJ15AvD9y4dIEAupqsqhyA. Retrieved 13 December 2009. 
  19. ^ "Double joy of pregnancy is recognized in the midst of the turmoil Junko Sakurada" (in Japanese [translated]). Cinem@Hoshi. 27 December 2003. http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&u=http%3A%2F%2Fcinemahochi.yomiuri.co.jp%2Fh_award%2F1993%2F&sl=ja&tl=en. Retrieved 13 December 2009. 

External links