久石 譲 – ハウルの動く城
JOE HISAISHI – HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE
THE PEERLESS WALTZ OF THE JAPANESE JOHN WILLIAMS FOR CALCIFER, SOPHIE & HOWL
If you had to choose only one artist to listen to the rest of your life, who would it be? I’d pick Joe Hisaishi. The magic of his music for Howl’s Moving Castle is comparable to that of the famous demon from the film, Calcifer 🔥
Discover everything about the Japanese John Williams (that’s how he is called), the movie, and our Trembol “Merry-Go-Round of Life (人生のメリーゴーランド), a real wonder to the rhythm of waltz.
A lot of music and emotions await you, here we go!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Video | Joe Hisaishi Summer
- Life & Music of Joe Hisaishi
- What is Howl’s Moving Castle?
- Video | Joe Hisaishi Merry-go-Round of Life
- Trembol | Why did we choose Merry-go-Round of Life out of 100 works by Joe Hisaishi?
- Meaning | Joe Hisaishi explains his music
- You can’t miss | The best part of Merry-go-Round of Life
- Joe Hisaishi in Budokan | Studio Ghibli 25 Years Concert
- Did you know? | Fun facts about Joe Hisaishi
- Much more | Versions, Social Media…
- Technical Note about Joe Hisaishi and how to compose music for an Anime
Joe Hisaishi Summer
Who is Joe Hisaishi 久石 譲?
Joe Hisaishi (久石 譲 Hisaishi Jō) is the artistic name of Mamoru Fujisawa (藤澤守), a Japanese pianist, composer and musical director born in 1950, responsible for more than 100 soundtracks and albums, is that all!
Most known film scores: Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Porco Rosso, Totoro and Howl’s Moving Castle
Hisaishi started his career as a solo artist composing popular Japanese electronic music. His first album in 1981 is MKWAJU, which he will cover later in 2009 with an orchestra:
Joe Hisaishi One Summer’s Day | Spirited Away (千と千尋の神隠し)
Joe Hisaishi has mainly worked with Hayao Miyazaki, the most important director of Studio Ghibli. They were awarded with the Best Animated Film at the Oscars in 2003 for Spirited Away
Joe Hisaishi’s amazing work
He wrote in 2008 Okuribito (Departures) film score. The movie, directed by Yōjirō Takita, won the Best Foreign Film Oscar.
Joe Hisaishi & London Symphonic Orchestra | Departures
He was awarded the Medal of Honour by the Government of Japan in 2009 for his services to the arts. He is not lacking any art, right? 😊
Joe Hisaishi directed in 2001 his own film called Quartet. Of course, the soundtrack is his as well.
Another director with whom Hisaishi has collaborated many times is Takeshi Kitano. Do you know him? He was famous in Europe because he hosted in the 90s a comedy TV show called Takeshi’s Castle.
Joe Hisaishi The Legend of the Wind from the film Nausicaä
What is Howl’s Moving Castle | ハウルの動く城?
It’s an Anime movie (trailer) which original soundtrack was composed by Joe Hisaishi. The name of the film in Japanese it Howl no Ugoku Shiro, and the animation is absolutely astonishing. As almost every work by Hayao Miyazaki for Studio Ghibli, it’s a pretty conceptual movie.
The_Promise_of_the_World_Front | Fair Use (Under CC-BY-SA)
Howl’s Moving Castle is based on the first novel of a trilogy of fantasy books from the British author Diana Wynne Jones.
- Howl´s moving Castle
- The Castle in the air
- House of Many Ways
Howl’s Moving Castle explained [NO SPOILERS]
The film tells the story of Sophie, a young woman who is cursed by a witch and becomes an old woman. Sophie decides to go to Howl’s Moving Castle, because he is a wizard and may break the spell. The action happens in a fictional and technological world amid a war.
Howls_Moving_Castle_Soundtrack_Slipcase_Front | Fair Use (Under CC-BY-SA)
Hayo Miyazaki was totally against the 2003 Invasion of Iraq by the United States and wanted to reflect in this film issues related to pacifism.
For her part, Diana Wynne Jones wrote the novel at age 52, under an illness that made her feel much older than she was. She reflected that sentiment in the young protagonist, Sophie, whom a spell turns into a 90-year-old woman.
Howl, Sophie and Calcifer the fire demon. Howl’s Moving Castle Characters
I share a little teaser of the film so you can meet our three characters: Howl the wizard, Calcifer the fire demon and Sophie the young elderly woman.
Calcifer the fire demon is so popular that you can find all kinds of merchandising related to him.
Castle_in_the_Sky_croquis-35 | Fair Use (Under CC-BY-SA)
There are many people, mostly in Japan, with a Calcifer Tattoo
Calcifer is a fire demon who is tied to the wizard Howl by a contract that does not allow him to leave the castle.
He vows to use his magic to destroy Sophie’s curse if she helps him break the contract between him and Howl.
Joe Hisaishi Merry-go-Round of Life from Howl’s Moving Castle
Trembol | Why did we choose Merry-go-Round of Life out of 100 works by Joe Hisaishi?
I dicovered this song in a YouTube video by the great Jaime Altozano (in Spanish with English captions) where he technically decomposes the film score (more in our Technical Note).
As you can imagine, I fell in love with Merry-go-Round of Life and Joe Hisaishi’s piano.
All the imaginary of Japanese Anime invites you to escape to fantasy worlds, but when you hear a sublime melody like this, the rhythm of the waltz transports you directly there, you can’t help it, and if I tell you the truth, it’s better to let yourself go because it is an experience that you should not miss. How to do it? Put on your headphones, close your eyes and listen to the whole song. Leave the rest to Hisaishi.
Joe Hisaishi explains his feeling about music:
Without intelligence there is no sincere emotion, and vice versa. Sentiment is the indispensable element of truth and honesty […]. I am a sentimental humanist that likes to translate emotions.
Sin inteligencia, no hay emoción sincera y viceversa. El sentimiento es el elemento indispensable de la verdad y la honestidad […]. Yo soy un humanista sentimental al que le gusta traducir emociones.
Jean-Cristophe Arlon, Didier Leprêtre,“ Interview with Joe Hisaishi ”, Cinéfonia Magazine
You can’t miss ⭐️ The best parts of Merry-go-Round of Life
1. The emotion of the piano at the beginning.
2. The lively and magical central bridge.
3. The final waltz invites you to dream.
Joe Hisaishi in Budokan | Studio Ghibli 25 Years Concert
MEET STUDIO GHIBLI AND ITS 25 YEARS
Studio Ghibli is responsible for dozens of world-famous Japanese animated films such as: Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Totoro, Kiki: Delivery Service, Porco Rosso and of course, Howl’s Moving Castle.
All these films have something else in common, their soundtracks are signed by the great Joe Hisaishi.
Joe Hisaishi work is so influential to the overall film that the studio requests him to compose an “image book” of music, which is an early composition to help to shape the direction and writing before the final production. This is a completely contrary technique to that of any other animation studio, including Disney or Pixar, where the music is composed after the film is finished or almost.
This massive concert featured performances of these signature Miyazaki film scores composed by Hisaishi, conducting from the piano, and the 200-member New Japan Philharmonic World Dream Orchestra, along with six featured vocalists, the 800 combined voices of the Ippan Koubo, Ritsuyuukai and Little Singers of Tokyo choirs, plus a 160-piece marching band. Altogether there were some 1160 musicians and singers on stage, backed by images from Miyazaki’s films projected on a giant screen
As a commemoration of the 25 years of the studio, 3 concerts were held in the Japanese Nippon Budokan auditorium in 2008. The concert was conducted by Joe Hisaishi, who also played the piano alongside more than 1,000 musicians: the 200-member New Japan Philharmonic World Dream Orchestra, along with six featured vocalists, the 800 combined voices of the Ippan Koubo, Ritsuyuukai and Little Singers of Tokyo choirs, plus a 160-piece marching band.
It is a masterpiece that you should at least see once in your life.
WATCH THE FULL JOE HISAISHI IN BUDOKAN CONCERT
Concert Repertoire
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind
0:00:42 Opening [Legend of the Wind]
0:03:07 Requiem
0:04:26 A Battle Between Mehve and Corvette
0:05:50 Tooi hibi (Days Long Gone)
0:07:10 Tori no Hito (Bird Person)
Mononoke Hime
0:11:32 Ashitaka Sekki (Tale of Ashitaka)
0:13:51 Tatari gami (The Curse God)
0:16:14 Mononoke Hime (Princess Mononoke)
0:19:40 Umi no Mieru Machi (A Town with an Ocean View)
0:24:12 Shoushin no Kiki (Heartbroken Kiki)
0:25:35 Kaasan no Houki (Mom’s Broom)
0:29:36 Joe Hisaishi’s Presents Orchestra and Choruses
Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea
0:31:22 Shinkai Bokujyou (Deep Sea Ranch)
0:32:55 Umi no Okasan (Mother of the Sea)
0:36:51 Nami no Sakana no Ponyo (Ponyo of the Fish of the Wave)
0:38:37 Fujimoto no Tema (Fujimoto’s Theme)
0:41:12 Himawari no Ie no Rondo (Rondo of the Sunflower House)
0:44:29 Haha no Ai (Mother’s Love)
0:45:21 Imouto-tachi no Katsuyaku (Little Sisters’ Activities)
0:46:12 Haha to Umi no Sanka (Song of Praise for Mother and the Sea)
0:46:59 Gake no ue no Ponyo (Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea)
Laputa, Castle in the Sky
0:50:29 Hato to Shounen (Pigeons and a Boy)
0:52:54 Kimi o Nosete (Carrying You)
0:57:51 Taiju (The Huge Tree) ~Porco Rosso~
1:01:55 Kaerazaru Hibi (The Bygone Days)
1:43:21 (Encore) Porco Rosso: Madness
1:06:50 Hayao Miyazaki’s Video Address to the Audience
Howl’s Moving Castle
1:08:42 Symphonic Variation “Merry-go-round”
1:15:51 Cave of Mind
1:18:13 Jinsei no Merry-go-round (Merry-Go-Round of Life)
1:21:32 Joe Hisaishi presents Ayaka Hirahara
Spirited Away
1:22:05 Inochi no Namae (The Name of Life)
1:26:28 Futatabi (Reprise) ~Tonari no Totoro~
1:31:03 Kaze no toori michi (The Path of the Wind)
1:32:08 Sanpo (Stroll)
1:36:40 Miyazaki-san and Lasseter-san sing Sanpo
1:37:11 Tonari no Totoro (My Neighbour Totoro)
1:41:13 The “Mysterious Guest” revealed!!!
1:43:21 (Encore) Porco Rosso: Madness
1:47:29 (Encore) Princess Mononoke: Ashitaka and San
Did you know...?
🤔 Google most searched question about Joe Hisaishi
Why did Joe Hisaishi change his name?
His real name is Mamoru Fujisawa, but he changed it to “Joe Hisaishi” to make it easier to pronounce for his international public.
The name in kanji (Japanese writing) is 久石 譲, that can be read Kyūishi Jō. If you notice, it sounds a bit like Quincy Jones, the famous American music and composer, who happen to be Joe Hisaishi idol.
Here’s how to pronounce his name in Japanese:
How old is Joe Hisaishi?
Joe was born on December 6, 1950 in Nagano (Japan). As of 2020, he is 69 years old.
Howl's Moving Castle Cast. Which are Howl's Moving Castle voice actors?
Much more | Versions, Social Media...
- This is Jon Hisaishi Official Web Site, and his Facebook fan page. Make sure you also visit his YouTube channel.
- There are 2 versions of “Merry-Go-Ride of Life” that we highlight: Grissini Project and Kaori Mujari (guitar version).
- If you want to know more about the film: IMDB and Fandom.
- We recommend Joe Hisaish essential Playlist
Technical Note about Joe Hisaishi and Merry-Go-Round of Life
- Is Merry-go-Round of Life a waltz? Why?
Yes, it is, because a waltz recalls movement, and the movie is just about that, a castle in montion. What a great idea for Hisaishi to use a waltz!
- What is Joe Hisaishi’s musical style?
It’s a harmonious mix of electronic music, Japanese tradition, European classical music and over all the constant seek for simplicity and minimalism.
- In the soundtrack there is a music piece for each character, just listen:
Sophie’s theme is our “Merry-Go-Ride of Life” that is constantly playing in the film score, like: 1. Opening – 3. A Walk in the Skies – 6. Sophie in Exile – 12. In the Rain – 20. You’re in love – 24. Sophie’s Castle…
Howl’s theme is a more sad, but it still has a magical touch. You can find it in the soundtrack: “Track 16. The Secret Cave”. It also has its own complete song called “The Cave of Mind”, here it is:
Sophie and Howl’s themes mixed in “Track 25. The boy who swallowed a star”. Jaime Altozano, explains it much better than me, but our conclusion is the same, what Hisaishi does is terrific:
- Merry-Go-Ride of Life Chords
C minor 7 9 (C – E♭ – G – B♭ – D) – D Major 7 b9 (D – F# – A – C# – D♭) – G minor (G – B♭ – D) – G minor 7 (G – B♭ – D – F) – E♭ Major Maj7 (E♭ – G – B♭ – D) – F Major 7 (F – A – C – E) – B♭ Major Maj7 (B♭ – D – F – A). It is a complex and beautiful harmony.
- Merry-Go-Ride of Life Musical Structure
As it is a waltz, the piece generally holds its strong 3/4-time signature beat. The piece consists of three sections, the third being a variation of the first. It consists of 16 bars phrases of melodic material and some bridging bar in the middle. It also modulates (change from one key to another during the development of a work) upwards in the final part which makes you want the music to carry on.
Joe Hisaishi explains how to compose music for an Anime
It’s always the same process for each film, Hisaishi says. The production lasts from two to three years because director Miyazaki is very picky and demanding.
Before handing me a true screenplay, he gives me a rather simple kind of storyboard, he introduces the characters to me, and he speaks a bit about the story. Then he starts working, while I advance on my own.
He also gives me ten keywords, on which I construct my work.
In the first year, I begin to compose the music and after one year it is possible to make a CD: it is the first CD of the film, the image album, that is released before the full realization of the work.
This image album has two purposes: it allows me to realize what the music will be like later, but it also allows Miyazaki, who continues to draw, to work while listening to the music.
– Joe Hisaishi in Oliver Fallaix, Ilan Nguyên. Interview with Joe Hisaishi. “Anime Land” special issue (January 2000) –
Image_Symphonic_Suite_Howl’s_Moving_Castle_Booklet_Front | Fair Use (Under CC-BY-SA)
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