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In 1854, Japan opened its doors to the world with the arrival of Commodore Perry and his fleet of black ships.
Following the signing of the Treaty of Peace and Amity between the United States and Japan in Yokohama, the port of Shimoda in Izu was immediately opened.

Two years later, Townsend Harris, the first American Consul General to Japan, landed in Shimoda with his interpreter, Henry Heusken.
They began residing at Gyokusenji Temple, which they used as the American consulate.

Harris would later become widely known through the story of Tojin Okichi.
Although the tale became popular in early Showa-era Japan and was based on a real woman, much of the story is believed to be fictional, reflecting the social atmosphere of that time.

In reality, before Okichi ever arrived at Gyokusenji, local boys from Shimoda were already working as live-in servants, attending to Harris and Heusken in their daily lives.
One of those boys was the protagonist of this song, Sukezō Nishiyama.

Sukezo Blues is an image song inspired by the biographical manga
Serving Harris and Falling in Love with Okichi - The Boy from Shimoda, Sukezo's Story
written by Takeshi Sugimoto and illustrated by Hiroyuki Araki, published by Nagakura Shoten in August 2020.

Set to an upbeat blues rhythm, singer-songwriter Kei Daikouji lightly and vividly sings the dramatic life of Sukezo.

Also available is a 12-episode YouTube series titled Sukezo Sanpo, in which Kei Daikouji guides viewers around the town of Shimoda.
Be sure to check it out as well.

Artist Profile

  • Kei Daikouji

    Born on November 2, 1979. Kei Daikouji is a singer-songwriter from Ayase City in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. She made her indie debut in 2005 with the single Peach Moon, followed by her major debut in 2006 with the maxi single Machiawase o Shimashou (Let Us Meet). Before launching her solo career, she was active as the guitarist and vocalist of the all-female band Ramune, which disbanded in April 2004. In 2009, her song Watashi no Suiheisen (My Horizon) was featured as the ending theme of the Fuji TV program Lion no Gokigenyou, gaining nationwide recognition. Alongside her music career, she works as a nurse and holds a sixth-degree master certification in Japanese calligraphy, showing her diverse talents. Currently, she is based in her hometown of Ayase, where she continues to write and perform music while contributing to her community through her work as a nurse. She also serves as the executive committee chair of the Ayase Music Festival, an annual event held every September that promotes community building through music. Additionally, she is providing original songs for the Ayase Civic Musical Kesaran Pasaran, which is scheduled to be performed in December 2025 at the Ayase City Owens Cultural Hall. Through this project, she continues to support and promote local cultural initiatives.

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