Japanese folk singer Tomoya Takaishi dies at 82

Folk singer Tomoya Takaishi, best known for his comical song “Jukensei Blues” (Entrance exam-taker blues), passed away on Aug. 17 due to illness. He was 82.

Takaishi, whose real name is Tomoya Shiriishi, was born in Hokkaido in 1941. While a student at Rikkyo University in Tokyo, he visited west Japan’s Kansai region in 1966 and performed at the Osaka laborers’ music council concert. Traveling throughout Japan, he began singing at student and labor rallies, and became friends with Makoto Oda and Shunsuke Tsurumi, who were core members of the Beheiren anti-Vietnam War organization, and writer Takeshi Kaiko.

In 1968, Takaishi released “Jukensei Blues,” which became a big hit selling over 900,000 copies. In 1971, Takaishi formed the folk band The Natarsher Seven with guitarist Junji Shirota and others. As one of the leading folk singers in Kansai, Takaishi began the “Yoiyoiyama Concert,” which became a summer tradition in Kyoto, with lyricist Rokusuke Ei and others in 1973. The event continued until 2011 with two hiatuses. His year-end concert was held a total of 47 times through 2022.

Takaishi’s funeral will be held with his close relatives attending. A farewell event will take place in the city of Kyoto at a later date.