TAKiO SORAN YUTAKA Front Cover

TAKiO SORAN YUTAKA

ITO TAKiO

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Takio Ito has long been recognized as a pioneer who has breathed new life into traditional Japanese folk music, sharing its spirit with audiences around the world. His signature arrangement, **TAKiO'S SOHRAN2**, has become a beloved anthem both in Japan and overseas, inspiring people of all ages and cultures to sing and dance together.

Born in 1950 into a fisherman's family in Tomakomai, Hokkaido, Takio Ito moved to Tokyo at the age of fifteen as part of Japan's postwar wave of young workers. In 2026, he celebrates the 60th anniversary of that life-changing journey a milestone that reflects a lifetime devoted to Japanese folk music.

**Soran Bushi** originated among the herring fishermen of Hokkaido as a traditional work song. Amid the rough northern seas, fishermen sang together to synchronize their movements, encourage one another, and endure the hardships of their work. The song was also shared during celebrations after a successful catch, becoming a lasting symbol of resilience, camaraderie, and the spirit of Hokkaido.

For this new release, Takio Ito once again reinvents Soran Bushi together with the younger generation of the **TAKiO BAND**. The result is two newly reimagined arrangements**"Yutaka"** and **"So (Creation)"**each presenting its own distinctive musical landscape.

Rooted in tradition while embracing innovation, these new interpretations preserve the soul of Soran Bushi and carry its powerful heartbeat into the future, inviting listeners around the world to experience the next evolution of this timeless Japanese folk song.

Past Rank In

TAKiO SORAN YUTAKA

iTunes Store • Dance TOP SONGS • Japan • TOP 24 • 20 Jul 2026

Artist Profile

  • ITO TAKiO

    Born in Tomakomai, Hokkaido, **Takio Ito** has developed a unique musical style that transcends the traditional boundaries of Japanese *min'yo* (folk music), blending it with rock, jazz, and other contemporary genres. As the leader of **TAKiO BAND**, he has performed extensively throughout Japan and around the world while continuing his lifelong "Journey in Search of Songs," dedicated to preserving and promoting regional folk songs and local cultural traditions across Japan. One of his most celebrated works, **TAKiO'S SOHRAN**, was inspired by his own life as the son of a fisherman. The song expresses his deep connection to the land and sea of his native Hokkaido, his respect for his fisherman father and brother, and the emotions he carried when leaving his hometown alone to begin a new life in Tokyo. Its powerful message and heartfelt spirit have resonated deeply with audiences, particularly those living in urban society. His signature work, **TAKiO'S SOHRAN2**, was further developed through his friendship with the teachers and students of Wakkanai Minami Junior High School, whom he met while filming the NHK Asahikawa television program *Takio Aruite Live*. The song gained nationwide recognition through the television drama *Kinpachi Sensei* and the Ministry of Education-selected, Agency for Cultural Affairs Award-winning film *Wakkanai Manabiza: Soran Bushi no Uta ga Kikoeru*. Today, it is widely known as **Nanchu Soran** and has become one of Japan's best-known folk-based works, performed by people of all ages throughout Japan and around the world. Takio Ito appeared on Japan's prestigious **NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen** in 1989 and 2003. He has introduced Japanese folk music to international audiences through performances at **WOMAD** and concert tours across the Middle East, South America, and Europe. In addition to his performing career, he has produced cultural projects and regional revitalization programs throughout Japan and has taught at universities. In 2006, he founded the non-profit organization **Fieldworks Japan Academy for the Preservation of Folk Performing Arts**, dedicated to preserving traditional folk performing arts, nurturing future generations, and promoting volunteer and community activities. In 2025, Takio Ito received the **Meijin (Master Performer) Award**, the highest honor presented by the Japan Minyo Association. He also serves as a **Cultural Ambassador for Kawasaki City**, continuing to pass on the spirit of Japanese folk music by combining tradition with innovation. In 2026, he released **TAKiO SORAN Yutaka** and **TAKiO SORAN Sou**, newly reimagined versions of his beloved signature work created with a new generation of musicians. Through these recordings, Takio Ito continues to share the enduring beauty and vitality of Japanese folk music with audiences across generations and around the world.

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