Login
Login

Naomi Sagara

{{Short description|Japanese pop singer}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}

{{Infobox person

| name =

| image =

| alt =

| caption = Sagara recording Music Calendar for Tokai TV

| native_name = 佐良直美

| birth_name = Nahoko Yamaguchi ({{langx|ja|山口 納堡子}})

| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1945}}

| birth_place = Tokyo, Japan

| death_date =

| death_place =

| nationality = Japanese

| other_names =

| occupation = singer, animal welfare activist

| years_active = 1967-present

| known_for =

| notable_works =

}}

{{Nihongo|Naomi Sagara|佐良 直美|Sagara Naomi|born 1945}} is the stage name of {{Nihongo|Nahoko Yamaguchi|山口 納堡子|Yamaguchi Nahoko}}, an award-winning Japanese popular singer who was prolific between 1967 and 1980. She won numerous awards as a singer and composer, branching into acting. After a surgery to remove polyps on her vocal cords in 1985, she became a business woman. Since 1993, she has worked in the field of animal welfare and has published several books about animal care. She has periodically returned to television in guest appearances and in 2010 resumed singing and composing.

Early life

Sagara was born in 1945 in Tokyo. She suffered from severe shyness from childhood, but had a love for music. Raised in a wealthy family, her grandfather is the major shareholder of Tomoe Industries, she began music training with jazz singer {{ill|Sanae Mizushima|ja|水島早苗}} at the age of sixteen. She enrolled in Nihon University College of Arts to study television direction and originally wanted to produce music programming for Fuji TV. While she was in university, she continued singing at such venues as Nikko Music Salon mainly to gain an understanding of the performer's perspective. When she graduated in 1967, Fuji was not interested in hiring a woman producer, but she was approached by a scout from The Japan Victor Company who was looking for new singing talent.{{sfn|Tokyo Sports|2010}}

Career

Sagara debuted as a singer with the song The World for Two People ({{langx|ja|世界は二人のために}}), which won her the Best New Artists Prize at the 9th Japan Record Awards in 1967 and sold 1.2 million copies.{{sfn|Tokyo Sports|2010}} She became known for her distinctive style and had many hits throughout the country.{{sfn|Law|2014|p=143}} In 1969, she won the grand prize for If It Is Happy, If It Is Sad ({{langx|ja|いいじゃないの幸せならば}}) at the 11th Japan Record Awards, presented by the Japan Composer's Association for best new record and performer. The win marked the first time the top honors had gone to a woman.{{sfn|Japan Composer's Association|1969}} Beginning in 1967, Sagara was invited to sing at the Year-end Song Festival, known as "Kōhaku", hosted by the Japan Broadcasting Corporation ({{langx|ja|Nippon Hōsō Kyōkai, NHK}}). For thirteen consecutive years, she participated and placed in the finals for the competition five times.{{sfn|Zaikei Shimbun|2016}}{{sfn|Red and White Record|2017}} In 1972, she won the annual singing battle and repeated her win in 1974 and 1976.{{sfn|Nikkan Sports|2012}}

Her music career led Sagara into acting, as she composed the theme song for the television drama Arigatou (Thank you), which aired from 1970 to 1974.{{sfn|Oricon News|2011}} She was a featured actress in the final season of the program.{{sfn|Sekiguchi|2011}}{{sfn|Clements|Tamamuro|2003|p=311}} In 1977, the mayor of Hiroshima, the Chamber of Commerce, and executives of the Hiroshima Bank organized a festival underwritten by the Chugoku Shimbun and RCC Broadcasting in honor of the resilience of the citizens in surviving the bombing and celebrating peace and the joy of living. Sagara was selected as the featured singer for the inaugural Hiroshima Flower Festival, and sang the theme song, Hanaguruma.{{sfn|Yamamoto|2012}}

In 1980, a woman claiming to be Sagara's former partner outed her as a lesbian on TV Asahi's Afternoon Show, causing the collapse of her career.{{sfn|Larkin|2006}}{{sfn|Law|2014|p=143}}{{sfn|Daily Shincho|2016}} Sagara denied the alleged affair and the woman retracted her statement, but the damage was done, as invitations to the premier award shows disappeared.{{sfn|Daily Shincho|2016}} She did continue to work in music for a few years, releasing a single YASUKOの場合 (Yasuko case) in 1983{{sfn|Oricon News|2011}} and then a jazz album to honor her former teacher Mizushima in 1986. After completing the album, Sagara lost interest in her music career. The following year, she had surgery to remove polyps on her vocal cords. She was told that after the surgery she would be unable to sing for a year. Sagara took a 9 to 5 job in her family business.{{sfn|Tokyo Sports|2010}}

Wanting to work with animals, Sagara began a company, Animal Fanciers's Club, in 1993, in Nasushiobara in the Tochigi Prefecture. Her focus is on rescuing dogs and cats and improving animal welfare.{{sfn|Tokyo Sports|2010}}{{sfn|Zaikei Shimbun|2016}} At the facility, she trains dogs and does outreach, inviting internationally known lecturers to educate the public about proper care of animals.{{sfn|Zaikei Shimbun|2016}} Since 2003, she has published books dealing with animal care.{{sfn|Books Kinokuniya|2003}} In 2010, after two decades away from the music industry, Sagara released an album, いのちの木陰 (Shades of Life).{{sfn|Sekiguchi|2011}} After hearing the song, she was selected in 2011 to compose and sing the theme song for the TBS series Izakaya Henji.{{sfn|Oricon News|2011}}{{sfn|Sekiguchi|2011}}

Selected books

  • {{cite book |last1=Sagara |first1=Naomi |title=Sagara naomi ga oshieru inu tono kurashikata: chūkōnen ga aiken to tanoshiku kurasu tame no jōzu na shitsuke to kaikata. |date=2003 |publisher=Ōizumishoten |location=Tōkyō |language=Japanese |isbn=978-4-278-03932-0}}
  • {{cite book |last1=Sagara |first1=Naomi |last2=Okuda |first2=Hiroko |last3=Shimizu |first3=Terunobu |title=Wanchan to odekake |date=2003 |publisher=Intāwākushuppan |location=Tōkyō |isbn=978-490-1-16150-3 |language=Japanese}}
  • {{cite book |last1=Sagara |first1=Naomi |title=Dōbutsu no kamisama ni ikasarete |date=2012 |publisher=Taikōsha |location=Tōkyō |language=Japanese |isbn=978-4-924-89984-1}}

Awarded Songs

class="wikitable"
Year

!Award

!Song

!Category

1967 (Showa 42)9th Japan Record AwardsSekkai Wa Futari No TameniNew Artist Award
1969 (Showa 44)11th Japan Record AwardsIijanaino Shiawase NarabaJapan Record Award
1973 (Showa 48)15th Japan Record Awards-15th Anniversary Commemorative Award

References

= Citations =

{{Reflist|30em}}

= Bibliography =

{{refbegin|30em}}

  • {{cite book |last1=Clements |first1=Jonathan |last2=Tamamuro |first2=Motoko |title=The Dorama Encyclopedia: A Guide to Japanese TV Drama Since 1953 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LzeSd4SvU7cC&pg=PA311 |year=2003 |publisher=Stone Bridge Press |location=Berkeley, California |isbn=978-1-880656-81-5}}
  • {{cite news |last1=Larkin |first1=Thomasina |title=Invisible minority |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2006/02/28/issues/invisible-minority/#.W185-SAnbIU |access-date=30 July 2018 |newspaper=The Japan Times |date=28 February 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730162242/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2006/02/28/issues/invisible-minority/#.W188biAnbIU |archive-date=30 July 2018 |location=Tokyo, Japan}}
  • {{cite book |last=Law |first=Benjamin |title=Gaysia: Adventures in the Queer East |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UipYAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA143 |year=2014 |publisher=Cleis Press |location=Berkeley, California |isbn=978-1-62778-036-0}}
  • {{cite news |last1=Sekiguchi |first1=Ken |title=佐良直美復活！ 27年ぶりの新曲がTBSドラマ「居酒屋もへじ」の主題歌に |url=https://www.rbbtoday.com/article/2011/09/14/81005.html |date=14 September 2011 |access-date=30 July 2018 |publisher=RBB Today |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804213825/https://www.rbbtoday.com/article/2011/09/14/81005.html |archive-date=4 August 2017 |location=Tokyo, Japan |language=Japanese |trans-title=Sagara Naomi Revives! New song after 27 years is the theme song of TBS drama "Izakaya Henji"}}
  • {{cite web |last1=Yamamoto |first1=Akira |title=Part 22: Flower Festival |url=http://www.hiroshimapeacemedia.jp/?p=24282 |website=Hiroshima Peace Media Center |publisher=Chugoku Shimbun |access-date=30 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522195138/http://www.hiroshimapeacemedia.jp/?p=24282 |archive-date=2015-05-22 |location=Hiroshima, Japan |date=24 October 2012}}
  • {{cite web |ref={{harvid|Books Kinokuniya|2003}}|author= |title=佐良直美が教える犬との暮らし方—中高年が愛犬と楽しく暮らすための上手なしつけと飼い方 |url=https://www.kinokuniya.co.jp/f/dsg-01-9784278039320 |website=Kinokuniya |publisher=Books Kinokuniya |access-date=30 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730223436/https://www.kinokuniya.co.jp/f/dsg-01-9784278039320 |archive-date=30 July 2018 |location=Tokyo, Japan |language=Japanese |date=1 September 2003|trans-title=How to live with a dog as taught by Naomi Sagara: Good discipline and a way to live happily with mature, middle-aged and older dogs}}
  • {{cite news |ref={{harvid|Daily Shincho|2016}}|author= |title=「キャッシーにはめられた」と語っていた「佐良直美」のレズ騒動 |url=https://www.dailyshincho.jp/article/2016/02280510/?all=1 |access-date=30 July 2018 |publisher=Daily Shincho |date=25 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508042403/https://www.dailyshincho.jp/article/2016/02280510/?all=1 |archive-date=8 May 2016 |location=Tokyo, Japan |language=Japanese |trans-title="Lady troubles" of Naomi Sagara who said she was "framed by Cassie"}}
  • {{cite news |ref={{harvid|Zaikei Shimbun|2016}}|author=|title=森愛CLUB 第2回講演会『命の協奏曲』開催のお知らせ 5月22日（日）フクラシア品川クリスタルスクエアにて |url=https://www.zaikei.co.jp/releases/351961/ |publisher=Zaikei Shimbun |access-date=30 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730181706/https://www.zaikei.co.jp/releases/351961/ |archive-date=30 July 2018 |location=Tokyo, Japan |language=Japanese |date=26 April 2016 |trans-title=Mori Love Club 2nd lecture "Notice of holding life's concert" May 22 (Sun) at Fukurashia Shinagawa Crystal Square}}
  • {{cite news |ref={{harvid|Tokyo Sports|2010}}|author=|title=佐良直美が30年前のレズ騒動を語る |url=https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/entame/2238/ |publisher=Tokyo Sports |access-date=30 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170601034053/https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/entame/2238/ |archive-date=1 June 2017 |location=Tokyo, Japan |language=Japanese |date=13 November 2010 |trans-title=Naomi Sagara talks about the Lesbian accusation 30 years ago}}
  • {{cite news |ref={{harvid|Oricon News|2011}}|author=|title=佐良直美、37年ぶりのドラマ主題歌 |url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2001788/full/ |publisher=Oricon News |access-date=30 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825232005/http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2001788/full/ |archive-date=25 August 2017 |location=Tokyo, Japan |language=Japanese |date=14 September 2011 |trans-title=Naomi Sata, theme song for the first time in 37 [sic] years}}
  • {{cite web |ref={{harvid|Red and White Record|2017}}|author=|title=歌合戦：記録 |url=http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~zf7j-ktwk/redwhite/record.html |website=asahi-net.or.jp |publisher=ASAHI Net |access-date=30 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170402133736/http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~zf7j-ktwk/redwhite/record.html |archive-date=2 April 2017 |location=Tokyo, Japan |language=Japanese |date=2017 |trans-title=Song fight: records}}
  • {{cite web |ref={{harvid|Japan Composer's Association|1969}}|author=|title=第11回 日本レコード大賞 |url=http://www.jacompa.or.jp/reco11.html |website=Japan Composers Association |publisher=Japan Composer's Association |access-date=30 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722155519/http://www.jacompa.or.jp/reco11.html |archive-date=22 July 2018 |location=Tokyo, Japan |language=Japanese |date=31 December 1969 |trans-title=The 11th Japan Record Awards}}
  • {{cite news |ref={{harvid|Nikkan Sports|2012}}|author=|title=第63回NHK紅白歌合戦 |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/kouhaku/2012/presenter.html |access-date=30 July 2018 |newspaper=Nikkan Sports |date=2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160720103401/https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/kouhaku/2012/presenter.html |archive-date=20 July 2016 |location=Tokyo, Japan |language=Japanese |trans-title=The 63rd NHK Koharu singing battle}}

{{refend}}

{{Animal welfare}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sagara, Naomi}}

Category:1945 births

Category:20th-century Japanese actresses

Category:20th-century Japanese composers

Category:20th-century Japanese women writers

Category:21st-century Japanese actresses

Category:21st-century Japanese composers

Category:21st-century Japanese women writers

Category:Animal welfare workers

Category:Japanese businesspeople

Category:Japanese women composers

Category:Japanese women singers

Category:Living people

Category:Nihon University alumni

Category:Businesspeople from Tokyo

Category:20th-century Japanese women composers

Category:21st-century Japanese women composers