A column spotlighting the folk songs that defined their eras and the guitars played by the artists behind them!
Every artist uses a wide variety of guitars depending on the era, stage size, and musical concept.
I’m sure there are various opinions out there—like, “Back then, this was definitely the one!” or “This is my main guitar now!”—but for this feature, I’ve selected the guitars that artists are actually using right now from among the many options!
I’d like to introduce the guitars I’ve chosen.
Timeless folk songs and the enduring charm of acoustic music! Here’s our selection!
“Introducing Folk Songs from Around the World”
The Folk Crusaders
“The Yopparais Are Back” December 1967
It’s no exaggeration to say that The Folk Crusaders, led by Kazuhiko Kato (aka Tonoban), led the Japanese music scene from the late 1960s through the 1970s.
Even if you’ve never really listened to Japanese folk songs or aren’t familiar with Kazuhiko Kato, there’s one song you absolutely know: “The Drifter Has Returned.”
It’s The Folk Crusaders’ debut song and their signature track. Did you know that the first edition of the record was titled “Kaettekita Yopparaï”!?
We’ve selected guitars played by Kazuhiko Kato, the band’s central figure!
While there’s a model named after him, we’re spotlighting these four guitars!
・MARTIN D-45 (Kazuhiko Kato)
MARTIN’s flagship model! It’s a model that can be called the pinnacle of acoustic guitars.
They only produce it when they can source carefully selected wood—that commitment to quality is why the D-45 remains the best of the best!
・MARTIN D12-20 (Kazuhiko Kato)
Its slotted headstock and 12th-fret joint silhouette have captivated countless musicians.
With the rich, full-bodied sound of its mahogany body, this is a must-have for folk fans!
・MARTIN D-28 (Kazuhiko Kato)
This is the best-selling Martin Dreadnought! It’s powerful and has plenty of volume!
It’s a versatile guitar that excels at both chord strumming and arpeggios!
・MARTIN OOO-28 (Kazuhiko Kato)
The crisp, resonant mid-to-low frequencies of the rosewood pair perfectly with the clear, responsive high frequencies produced by the Triple-O body size!
It’s second to none for playing phrases that showcase your fingerstyle technique!
“A Giant of the Early Folk Song Era”
Tomoya Takaishi
“Exam-Taker’s Blues” March 1968
As a standard-bearer of Kansai folk music, Tomoya Takaishi was active in a way that truly seemed to lead his contemporaries.
Above all, his signature song is this one: “Exam Student Blues”!
Living out the lyrics to the letter, there must have been many young people who, in their fervor for music, ended up switching to “Prep School Blues”!
In recent years, he’s also been active as a marathon runner—and has even won races!
Perhaps his good health is fueling his energy and helping him refine his music even further.
The lyrics are universal and still resonate today, but please don’t throw stones at couples in the park.
Tomoya Takaishi uses many different guitars, but here’s one that really stands out!
・MARTIN D-28
Although the D-28 has undergone repeated minor changes in detail since its release in 1931, its basic structure has remained unchanged.
This is proof that it is a standard guitar that has long been trusted and loved for its high level of craftsmanship!
“The God of Folk”
Nobuyasu Okabayashi
Yamaya Blues, September 1968
His debut song, “Yamaya Blues,” is indeed a track that leaves a vivid impression.
Actually, the song “Honjama Ojamashimasu” was originally intended to be his debut single, with “Yamaya Blues” scheduled for the B-side; however, as you know, Nobuyasu Okabayashi was known for his provocative lyrics. As a result, “Honjama Ojamashimasu” was shelved!
Coincidentally, it was an era when people were putting messages into their songs. Nobuyasu Okabayashi wasn’t exactly a guitar virtuoso who wrote songs.
Believe it or not, he apparently composed “Yamaya Blues” using only the chords he could play at the time! That’s amazing!
When I think of his younger days, the MARTIN guitar comes to mind.
In recent years, he’s been a devoted user of TERRY’S TERRY, known for its custom-made instruments.
・MARTIN D-35
A popular model that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the D-28! However, in the folk scene, the D-35 still enjoys strong support!
With plenty of volume and a brilliant, well-balanced tone, it’s truly an indispensable sound for singer-songwriters!
・TERRY’S TERRY Custom Model No. 9
“TERRY’S TERRY” is a guitar company founded by Terumi Nakamoto, also known as Terry Nakamoto. They craft high-end, custom-made guitars!
Nobuyasu Okabayashi plays the one with serial number 9!
“The Leading Figure of Kichijoji Folk”
Wataru Takada
Wataru Takada / “Five Red Balloons” April 1969
Wataru Takada boldly set Japanese lyrics to American traditional folk, bluegrass, and country music, delivering powerful message songs. His motto, “Sing wherever I want to sing,” truly reflects his personality.
We’ve selected the compilation album “Wataru Takada / Five Red Balloons,” which pairs his debut track “Five Red Balloons” with other songs!
There’s a story that in every region of Japan, there are musicians who say they were “influenced by Wataru Takada.”
This is proof of just how much passion is packed into his music.
While he has used guitars like the LAKEWOOD, the instrument most closely associated with him is undoubtedly the Wataru Takada model crafted by Terry Nakamoto.
We’ve selected three memorable models!
・YAMAHA Wataru Takada Model
As the name suggests, it’s his very own model! It’s based on the YAMAHA FG-2000, but it’s fretless from the 14th fret onward!
“I don’t play in those areas anyway, so I don’t need frets!” It’s said that Wataru Takada requested this specification with those exact words!
・MARTIN D-28
With a spruce top and rosewood sides and back, the D-28 is the first guitar that comes to mind when you think of this combination!
It’s a guitar often cited as the benchmark for acoustic guitars, with comments like, “The D-28 has better high-end…”!
・MARTIN D-45
“We won’t produce it unless we can source carefully selected materials specifically for the D-45!” That’s the level of dedication behind the D-45.
Not only are the materials mentioned above carefully selected, but the craftsmen who build them are also handpicked! Even if the materials are available, the guitar won’t be produced without the right craftsmen!
“A Group That Emerged in the Dawn of Folk Music”
Five Red Balloons
To a Distant World, May 1969
Isato Nakagawa, who knew the group’s central figure, Takashi Nishioka, back then, described him as “a peculiar guy—a strange old man who wore a beret, black-rimmed glasses, and rubber boots, carried a banjo, and played the fretting technique, which was rare at the time.”
The lyrics of “To a Distant World” evoke the era with a touch of fairy-tale charm and convey a message about life through a narrative that isn’t straightforward.
While he’s famous for his talkative live MCs, the fact that he talked constantly—not just between songs but even during them—is a story that’s very typical of Takashi Nishioka!
Takashi Nishioka has used many instruments, not just the guitar, but these two standards are, of course, among his favorites!
・MARTIN D-35 (Takashi Nishioka)
When comparing the D-35 and D-28—since they’re made of the same materials and the only difference is whether the back is 3-piece or 2-piece—is there really that much of a difference in sound?
I often hear people ask this, but actually, the biggest difference lies in the bracing of the top!
The D-35 uses 6.35mm-thick wood, while the D-28 uses 7.94mm-thick wood, so the difference in vibration frequency creates a distinct sound!
・GIBSON J-45 (Takashi Nishioka)
The J-45 has become a globally iconic acoustic guitar.
It all began in 1942 with the round-shouldered J-model, which was conceived as a rival to Martin’s D-model!
More than 70 years later, the D-model and J-model—the two flagship models that have carried the music industry on their shoulders—still stand as worthy rivals!
“First President of For Life Records”
Hitoshi Komuro
I Probably Won’t Go to the Moon April 1971
Beyond his own musical career, he continues to showcase his talent through diverse band activities, radio hosting, and composing music for TV dramas, films, and theater.
His debut song, “I Probably Won’t Go to the Moon,” exudes defiance and energy!
Come to think of it, since he was the driving force behind establishing the folk music scene in Japan, that raw power was perhaps only to be expected.
He is also famous as the first president of Four Life Records, which he founded alongside Yosui Inoue, Takuro Yoshida, and Shigeru Izumiya. The selection process was by majority vote, and the result was a unanimous choice of Hitoshi Komuro. That means Hitoshi Komuro himself voted for himself, doesn’t it?
Hitoshi Komuro uses a truly wide variety of guitars depending on his work—whether as a solo artist, band member, or composer.
I’ve selected these three models.
・MARTIN D-28S
With its slotted headstock and 12th-fret joint, this is a visually striking guitar!
Its sound, with even more power in the mid-to-low range, made it a legendary instrument that gained popularity in the folk music scene both in Japan and abroad at the time!
・MARTIN D-35
A key difference compared to the D-28 is the “fret-edge binding”!
This not only changes the appearance but also affects the neck’s grip and playability itself. This feature offers a glimpse into why the D-35 enjoys such enduring popularity among professionals!
・YAMAHA FG-1500
It was the height of Japan’s high-growth era—and YAMAHA was right in the thick of it! Introduced in 1971, this was YAMAHA’s first fully handcrafted high-end acoustic guitar!
“Evoking Empathy Among the ‘Disillusioned Generation’ Through Song”
Ryo Kagawa
Lesson: June 1971
His debut—which is also known as a shocking incident—resulted from an unprecedented turn of events: Wataru Takada pulled Ryo Kagawa onto the stage at the 1970 Nakatsugawa Folk Jamboree.
It’s a famous anecdote that while most singers on the main stage were met with chants of “Go home!” the crowd’s reaction toward Kagawa turned into thunderous cheers.
The song performed there was none other than “Lesson.”
Although the song is often described as an anti-war song, it is actually a song about life. Perhaps that is why it continues to be universally loved, sung, and listened to.
Takuro Yoshida’s song “Ryo Kagawa’s Letter” was, in fact, written specifically about him.
Ryo Kagawa’s name is a stage name, reportedly created by combining the “Ka” from Yuzo Kayama, the “Kawa” from Kazuo Hasegawa, and the “Ryo” from Ryo Ikebe!
When I think of Ryo Kagawa, Yamaha immediately comes to mind!
Since he also uses custom models, I’ve selected this one from the commercially available lineup!
・YAMAHA LL-10
The LL series is a revamped version of the L series—which was popular as the industry standard in the ’70s—released to mark its 10th anniversary!
I’m sure many of you were really drawn to the design of the LL logo on the headstock!
・YAMAHA S-51
This guitar debuted as an evolution of the YAMAHA L-51, nicknamed one of the “Four Heavenly Kings”!
While the L-51 featured an asymmetrical design, the S-51 was made symmetrical to achieve a better balance between volume and tone!
“The Man Who Brought Folk Music into the Mainstream”
Takuro Yoshida
“Human Beings” November 1971
“I sing about whatever comes from within me. I don’t care at all what people think of my songs. I don’t really understand them myself.” So said Takuro Yoshida, the hero racing toward tomorrow.
“Ningen Nante” became a song that truly epitomized the Japanese folk scene itself.
It was often used as the final number in his live shows, sparking an eternal sing-along. I’m sure many of you are familiar with that scene.
Takuro Yoshida, known for his uncompromising style, found himself in a folk scene where there was a strange prevailing sentiment that “going mainstream is wrong” and “commercialism is nonsense.”Takuro Yoshida, a trailblazer of his era, had many female fans, and despite his own intentions, he attracted a great deal of attention from the mainstream. During in-store promotional campaigns for record releases and on TV set, he was often misunderstood as being “arrogant,” and there were even reports of physical altercations. This is the kind of story you’d expect from Takuro Yoshida, a leading figure in the scene.
“The great Kazuhiko Kato went out of his way to bring it to me,” he says of his 1967 Gibson J-45.
While he also uses other models like the J-200, he selects this lineup across various manufacturers!
・GIBSON J-45
When it comes to Takuro Yoshida’s 1967 J-45, it’s the “Modern Logo” model! It features a 14-degree headstock angle and a narrow neck with a 39mm nut width!
This model comes equipped with a thick large pickguard and an upper-belly bridge with adjustable string action!
・MARTIN D-35
Takuro Yoshida’s model was made in 1971! Compared to modern models, it has aged over time, resulting in a notably sweeter and softer sound!
The J-45 introduced earlier and this D-35 are the guitars that immediately come to mind when thinking of Takuro Yoshida!
・YAMAHA L-53
This is one of the four iconic Japanese-made vintage models from Yamaha, known among fans as the “Four Heavenly Kings”!
It features an all-solid-wood construction, with a three-piece rosewood back featuring an ebony center!
The sparkle of the abalone inlays scattered across the headstock, body, fingerboard, and bridge is absolutely stunning!!
・GUILD F-50
With maple sides and back and an arched back design, this guitar delivers a sound that’s the polar opposite of the two models above!
It’s also a jumbo-sized model—one size larger! It’s the flagship model of the GUILD F series!
“KING OF LIVE”
RC Succession
Early RC Succession, February 1972
Although RC Succession is generally associated with rock, their debut was actually in the folk genre.
While it was certainly folk, the band gained widespread support by confronting themselves through honest expression, voicing the perspectives of adolescence, and being led by the intensely distinctive vocals of Kiyoshiro Imawano.
Their debut album is titled “Early RC Succession.” The title is interesting, but what really stands out is the sequence of tracks 8 and 9.
Track 8 is “This World Is All About Money,” and track 9 is “I Wasn’t Born to Make Money.” It’s just the best!
After a long-awaited comeback following their indefinite hiatus in 1991, the band effectively disbanded following the death of Kiyoshiro Imawano in 2009.
Here’s a selection of Kiyoshiro Imawano’s guitars from RC Succession, known for their overwhelming live performances!
・GIBSON HUMMINGBIRD (Kiyoshiro Imawano)
Gibson’s first square-shouldered guitar! The hummingbird depicted on the pickguard is striking!
Not only does it deliver incredible sound, but its striking stage presence and captivating appearance have made it a guitar that many are drawn to and want to own!
・GIBSON J-200 (Kiyoshiro Imawano)
Its origins date back to 1937! The model number at the time was SJ-220! This guitar is notable for its bridge, nicknamed the “moustache”!
With its thick body and powerful sound, it’s aptly nicknamed the “King of Flat-Tops”!
・MARTIN D-41 (Kiyoshiro Imawano)
A model based on the D-28 with added decorative details!
Instead of using carefully selected woods like the D-45, it uses woods from Martin’s standard lineup.
It’s a guitar that’s been adorned with decorative details just like the D-45!
・Conch Shell (Kiyoshiro Imawano)
The conch shell exudes an overwhelming presence on stage! Of course, there’s even a conch shell solo segment! Oh! Wait—it’s not a guitar!
“A Talented Maverick”
Shigeru Izumiya
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, April 1972
Shigeru Izumiya leaves a lasting impression with his style of strumming the guitar fiercely while singing as if he were furious.
“You bastards!” “You idiots!” His MC segments, filled with such outbursts, have remained unchanged since his debut.
Just like his songs with strong messages, he’s actively involved in charity work, and there are too many heartwarming stories about him to list here.
“Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter” is Shigeru Izumiya’s second single and his biggest hit.It has been covered by countless musicians, which speaks to just how beloved this song is. It may be a cliché, but that line—“Today is the day when everything…”—inspires me no matter how many times I hear it.
When he was a teenager, his home burned down in a house fire, and he lost all his electric guitars and amplifiers—which led him to begin expressing his music with just an acoustic guitar! His massive hit album “Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter” was produced by Kazuhiko Kato.
Although Shigeru Izumiya often uses electric guitars in his live performances, the MORRIS he’s selected is such a vital part of his setup that he’s even said, “If I lose this, I’ll quit performing!”
・MORRIS TC-601
A guitar featuring a body made of high-texture graphite with a structure similar to that of natural wood!
A guitar that’s a perfect match for Shigeru Izumiya’s intense performances!
・GIBSON J-45
Shigeru Izumiya uses a New, modern J-45.
Actually, right after he bought it, he used it in a live show and—in the heat of the moment during the first song—hit the body so hard that the top split right down the middle!
It has since been repaired multiple times, and he still treasures it, playing it even though it’s covered in scratches!
・GIBSON HUMMINGBIRD
A guitar characterized by a crisp, snappy sound with a strong attack!
The secret to this unique and distinctive sound lies in the combination of a short scale and an adjustable bridge!
・RAINSONG DR1000
An all-graphite guitar! Its selling point is a natural sound that defies the typical impression of graphite as producing a metallic tone!
The neck is, of course, also made of graphite! Thanks to its high strength, you won’t have to worry about warping! True to its name, it’s resistant to bad weather and performs brilliantly on outdoor stages!
“A Pioneer of 1970s Folk and New Music”
Yosui Inoue
“Into a Dream” March 1973
It’s no exaggeration to say that “Into a Dream” represents not only Yosui Inoue’s career but Japanese pop music as a whole.
What exactly was that hard-to-find item in his bag that he crawled around searching for, without even being allowed a moment’s rest?
In the 1970s folk scene, it was standard practice for performers to say funny things during their MC segments to get the audience excited; there was a prevailing mindset that folk singers simply had to be able to talk.
Yosui Inoue is also famous for barely ever doing any MCing on stage. To take things a step further, when he snapped a string during a performance, he reportedly set down his guitar, pulled out a New set of strings, and began changing them in complete silence!
It’s hard to describe the scene, but this behavior—which at first glance seems like him just doing his own thing—is actually a typical anecdote that shows Yosui Inoue’s sincere dedication to music.
By the way, “Yosui Inoue” is his real name, but it’s actually pronounced “Akimi,” not “Yosui.”
Yosui Inoue, who has delivered memorable performances throughout the decades—here’s the guitar he chose!
・GIBSON J-45
The model Yosui Inoue used on stage in the ’70s featured a thick, molded pickguard and a single-string bridge on the upper belly.
So far, so standard—but the saddle was fixed, not adjustable! Perhaps he replaced it to suit his sound preferences and the acoustic conditions on stage!?
・GIBSON J-160E
The J-160E is a guitar famous for being used by John Lennon and George Harrison.
Yosui Inoue also uses a model from the ’60s, but it has been refitted with a pickguard bearing the GIBSON logo—which is not the original specification!
・GIBSON LG-0
This is the very guitar he’s holding on the album *Hyo no Sekai*! Believe it or not, he reportedly borrowed this guitar from Kiyoshiro Imawano!
The difference from the original specifications is the tailpiece; it has an appearance reminiscent of a 12-string from Gibson’s B series.
・YAMAHA FG-150
The FG-150—Yamaha’s first domestically produced folk guitar!
This is the very guitar Yosui Inoue bought as his first, and it has inspired countless classic songs from years past!
“The Shining Personality of Oi-chan”
Kōsetsu Minami and Kaguya Hime
“Kandagawa” September 1973
I often hear people say that listening to “Kandagawa” brings back memories of their own student days.
Regarding the lyric “the public bath in the alley,” there used to be a public bath called “Yasubei-yu” behind a bus stop in Nishi-Waseda, Shinjuku Ward.
There’s speculation that this might have been the inspiration, but it’s since gone out of business. What a shame!
By the way, while many people assume that both the lyrics and music were written by Kōsetsu Minami, the lyrics were actually written by lyricist Kijō, and the music was composed by Kōsetsu Minami.
“Kanda River,” which sold a cumulative total of 1.6 million copies, naturally received an offer to perform on the “Kōhaku Uta Gassen” in 1973, the year of its release.
However, a controversy arose at this point. NHK claimed that the famous phrase “Kurepasu” in the lyrics was a registered trademark and asked them to change it to “Crayon.” Minami Kōsetsu and Kaguya Hime refused this request, leading to the unprecedented situation where they declined to appear on that year’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
In 2014, marking the 65th anniversary of his birth and the 45th anniversary of his debut, Yamaha released a signature model for Kōsetsu Minami, the group’s leader. From among the guitars he used in past live performances, we’ve selected this diverse collection!
・GUILD D-50
GUILD, used by musicians in the folk scene, was every bit as popular as the two giants, Gibson and Martin!
Its crisp, well-defined tone with a strong attack is a signature characteristic of the brand!
Among them, this is the highly popular top-of-the-line model! The one used by Kōsetsu Minami is a 1973 model!
・OVATION SUPER ADAMAS
The OVATION SUPER ADAMAS catches the eye with its unique appearance! KAMAN Corporation originally manufactured helicopter blades!
The technology designed to prevent vibrations from reaching the cockpit was adapted and evolved into a technique that maximizes the pickup of the body’s vibrations. How fascinating!
The one used by Kosei Minami is a 1978 model!
・MARTIN OOO-28
The OOO-28 is famously played by Eric Clapton!
The playability and responsive sound unique to the OOO size are a huge hit not only with fingerstyle players but also in the folk scene, known for its lyrical poetry!
Kōsetsu Minami’s guitar is a 1949 model!
・MARTIN D-76
A model released to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the United States!
This model uses the same grade of wood as the D-45 and features a D-35-style three-piece back!
Featuring an eagle head inlay and star-shaped position marks, this is, in a sense, an uncharacteristic Martin guitar!
“The Only Woman in the Folk Song World”
Iruka
“Nagori Yuki” November 1975
The sight of this petite woman cradling a large Martin and singing tenderly inspired many female folk singers to follow in her footsteps.
The origin of Iruka’s nickname comes from a friend who, while she was a student at Joshibi University of Art and Design, saw her holding her guitar case and remarked, “You look like a pod of dolphins.” True to the spirit of Joshibi University of Art and Design, she also worked as a picture book author and later became a visiting professor there.
As you know, “Nagori Yuki” is a cover of Kaguya Hime’s song.
Actually, the lineup for the recording of Iruka’s single was absolutely incredible!
It featured a dream team: Tadaaki Yoshikawa on acoustic guitar, Shigeru Suzuki on electric guitar, Tsugutoshi Goto on Bass, and Shuichi “PONTA” Murakami on drums.
In 1992, he made his first appearance on the Kohaku Uta Gassen. He performed “Nagori Yuki,” and his opponent was none other than Kōsetsu Minami!
Speaking of the guitars Iruka uses—this is the one! It’s truly her trademark! Believe it or not, she owns three of them!
・MARTIN D-35
Commonly known as “No. 1,” this 1972 model was purchased by her husband because he felt she needed a good guitar to perform as a solo artist!
Nicknamed “No. 2,” this one is a 1967 model with a Brazilian rosewood body! She got this one to use while “No. 1” was in for repairs!
And “No. 3” is, believe it or not, a 1967 model that she received as a gift from Hitoshi Komuro himself!
“Symbol of a Scream”
Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi
“Junrenka” October 1978
By the time he made his debut, the folk music boom had already passed, and Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi—with his slender build and long hair—was dubbed the “belated folk youth.”
Inspired by Takuro Yoshida, he moved to Tokyo, where he made his debut and steadily rose through the ranks, eventually sharing the stage with his idol, Takuro Yoshida.
Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi had previously been promoted in the enka and kayōkyoku genres with his title track “Ame no Arashiyama,” but he experienced a setback in his career as a musician. The song he released in a bid to make a comeback was none other than “Junrenka.”
Although the original version features a band, he is famous for performing the song live as a solo act using only an acoustic guitar and a harmonica.
Known for his unique style, he describes the powerful way he plays the guitar as “hitting” it and espouses the theory that “an acoustic guitar isn’t something you play—it’s something you hit.”While his musical style rarely draws widespread attention, his skills as a guitarist—including his exceptional three-finger picking—are actually on par with those of studio musicians!
The shape of the harmonica holder now commonly used for blues harmonicas was actually invented by him!
Influenced by musicians from Japan and abroad in the ’60s and ’70s, he uses a wide variety of guitars, but his association with TAKAMINE—which has even released a signature model—is particularly memorable.
・TAKAMINE NPT-012
An Electric Acoustic guitar with a jumbo-sized body! An Electric Acoustic guitar equipped with the NPT preamp, which defined TAKAMINE in the ’90s!
The early models had a red preamp LED! Of course, the one used by Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi is the red one!
・TAKAMINE DMP-500-6
The simple black finish paired with the 6-string tuner design gives it a cool, understated look!
An Electric Acoustic guitar equipped with a preamp featuring a single vacuum tube! This preamp became a huge hit thanks to its airy sound!
There was such a rush of people wanting to swap out the preamps on their existing TAKAMINE guitars for this one that the preamps sold out before the guitar itself did after its release!
・GIBSON L-00
A unique playing feel thanks to its thick, triangular neck! An iconic American acoustic guitar that weaves a mellow, bluesy sound!
The model used by Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi dates back to the late 1930s!
・TERRY’S TERRY Custom Model No. 1
“TERRY’S TERRY” is a guitar company founded by Terumi Nakamoto, also known as Terry Nakamoto.
Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi has been friends with Terry Nakamoto since his debut. The guitar he uses bears the astonishing serial number No. 1!
“Over 4,000 live performances”
Masashi Sada
“Kanpaku Sengen” July 1979
Even though he holds nearly 100 concerts every year, his tickets still command a premium!
Masashi Sada is a musician who captivates fans across generations with his lively banter, affable demeanor, and that divine singing voice.
He is also active as a novelist and has written songs for TV shows and commercials. The theme song for *From the North* is, of course, incredibly famous.
Apparently, when “Kanpaku Sengen” was first released, there were complaints that it was sexist. How sad. There is no greater message of love for his wife than this song!
In his private life, Masashi Sada doesn’t wear glasses; he refers to putting them on as “becoming hiragana.”
He says this refers to his transformation from his real name, “Masashi Sada,” to his stage name, “Masashi Sada”!
While he’s often associated with using YAMAHA custom models like “Terry’s Terry,” he’s actually been using MARTIN guitars extensively since Grape’s early days!
・MARTIN D-45 TREE OF LIFE
A custom guitar produced in a limited run of just 50 pieces in 1993!
It features ultra-premium woods—Bearclaw Sitka Spruce and Brazilian Rosewood—and the “TREE OF LIFE” inlay crafted from abalone, which shines brilliantly across the headstock, fingerboard, pickguard, and bridge! The engraving on the tuning pegs is also absolutely stunning!
・MARTIN OOO-21
More than 110 years have passed since the world’s first Auditorium model debuted in 1902. It remains a guitar beloved by the world’s top players to this day!
Masashi Sada primarily uses this model for recording!
・YAMAHA L-55 CUSTOM
By the late 1970s, the L Series had established itself worldwide as YAMAHA’s premium guitar line!
The L-55 CUSTOM is the ultimate embodiment of the L Series, released in 1980! Of course, it’s autographed by Terry Nakamoto!
・YAMAHA LL-120MS CUSTOM Masashi Sada Model
Released in 2002, this guitar bears the name of the LL series—which evolved from the L series, originally created as the high-end model of the FG series!
Believe it or not, this is Yamaha’s very first artist model!
“A massive typhoon makes landfall from Kyushu! A fiery voice roars out!”
Chage & Asuka
“River of Ten Thousand Li” September 1980
“River of Ten Thousand Li” was Chage & Asuka’s third single and their first to reach the Top 10.
Though a song about fleeting love, its ingenious arrangement, unique atmosphere, and incredibly impactful chorus firmly gripped the hearts of listeners.
The album *Hot Wind*, which included this track, debuted at No. 1 on the Oricon charts, and in 1981, the group embarked on the “Hot Wind Tour,” which spanned 60 shows nationwide.
With their two major hits of the ’90s, “SAY YES” and “YAH YAH YAH,” Chage & Asuka were truly at the pinnacle of the pop music world.
Their debut was sparked by forming an acoustic duo for a popular song contest sponsored by Yamaha.
Asuka’s lyrical melodies and vocal prowess were referred to at the time as “folk enka.”
Incidentally, in 1990, they changed their name from “Chage & Asuka” to “CHAGE & ASKA.” This was because, during their overseas activities at the time, the alphabetical spelling of “Asuka” was written as “ASUKA,” but it was being mispronounced as “Asuka.” They changed it to ensure it was pronounced correctly. It was a curious incident that could only happen because they were active on the world stage!
Since the ’90s, their stage performances have varied widely, ranging from playing electric guitars to performing with just a microphone.
The most memorable guitars from their early days are probably their respective Yamaha L-series models, aren’t they?
・YAMAHA L-52 CUSTOM (Asuka)
Featuring maple for the sides and back, and an extra-large 17-inch body!
This guitar served as the prototype that would later give birth to the innovative “Country Jumbo” series!
・MARTIN D-35 (Asuka)
Like many musicians, Asuka naturally owns the D-35, a legendary instrument in the folk scene!
This is also the guitar he used during his live performance on MTV Unplugged!
・YAMAHA L-53 CUSTOM (Chage)
The L-53 CUSTOM, produced from 1975 to 1980!
It features Brazilian rosewood on the sides and back, delivering a clear, resonant sound!
This guitar is notable for the oversized abalone inlay adorning the headstock!
・GIBSON J-50 (Chage)
The J-50, which debuted as the natural-finish version of the GIBSON J-45!
The model used by Chage is a 1960s round-shoulder guitar!
Folk songs are a genre of popular music with roots in American folk tradition.
They have evolved uniquely in Japan, where they are performed not only as solo acoustic guitar-and-vocal performances but also, at times, in a band setting.
In addition to songs with strongly anti-social messages, Japan has its own wealth of masterpieces that express tender romantic feelings and richly evocative stories.
Perhaps college students were performing college folk in the style of Joan Baez, while hippies aspired to be troubadours like Bob Dylan.
Whatever form it took, folk songs can now be considered the original landscape of Japanese music.
What kind of guitars did they use? Who were the musicians? And what were their feelings as they sang?
Why not pick up the guitar you admired back then and listen to those classic songs once again?
You’re sure to make some new discoveries!