Kyoichi Usamoto is a Fukuoka-born singer-songwriter who debuted on London Records in 1982 and is best known for his 2006 setting of Kenji Miyazawa’s “Ame ni mo Makezu”.[1]
Career
A graduate of Kyushu University’s economics faculty, Usamoto debuted in 1982 on London Records with “Jinsei Haretari Kumottari” (人生晴れたり曇ったり), giving a debut concert at the Fukuoka Postal Savings Hall on 24 October that year. Alongside his own records he has written, composed and arranged songs for many other singers.[1]
Later work
His 11th single, “Ame ni mo Makezu” (雨ニモマケズ), released on Nippon Crown on 6 September 2006, sold more than 20,000 copies after a 2008 television feature, tying him closely to Iwate Prefecture, where he was named a cultural ambassador and performed in support of areas hit by the 2011 earthquake. In March 2021 he underwent emergency surgery for a cerebral hemorrhage and has since been in rehabilitation.[1]
Discography
Notable songs
- “人生晴れたり曇ったり” ↗1982
- “雨ニモマケズ” ↗2006
References
- “宇佐元恭一”. Wikipedia (Japanese). Retrieved 11 October 2026.
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