Masaaki Sakai

"Songoku" and "Imadewa Ososugiru" EPs!

Click on the pictures below to see larger versions of them. In addition, after the image of the back of each sleeve, there are links to [Large] and [Massive] versions - especially useful for reading all the small Japanese kanji characters.
[Large version] [Massive version]
[Massive version] [Large version] [Massive version]

For a long time now, we've thought that Masaaki Sakai contributed just 2 songs to Monkey season 2:
- The song played at the end of all season 2 episodes (it ends with the words "Magic Monkey"), just before the end credits. This song is called "Songoku" (co-written by Yukihide Takekawa from Godiego) and was released as a single in Japan. A longer clip of this song can be heard near the start of episode 34, "Keep on Dancing".
- A Japanese version of the Godiego ballad "Thank You, Baby". This can be heard in episode 11, "The Difference Between Night and Day", and episode 15, "Monkey Meets The Demon Digger".

Well, my Japanese friend has managed to find 2 Masaaki Sakai EPs:
1) Songoku
The A-side is "Songoku", and the B-side is his Japanese version of the Godiego song "Havoc in Heaven", called "20 Oku Nen No Kurayami"
2) Ima Dewa Ososugiru
The A-side is "Imadewa Ososugiru", and the B-side is "Kono Michi No Hatemademo", Masaaki Sakai's version of the Godiego song "Thank You, Baby".

I don't have the actual EPs sent me photocopies of the record sleeves.
Would you be interested in hearing any of these songs? If so, send me a message using the Monkey Feedback page, and if I ever manage to track down copies, I'll let you know.

NOTE:
(a) I had no idea he'd recorded his version of "Havoc In Heaven"

(b) I had no idea that his version of "Thank You, Baby" (strictly speaking, it's a different song to the same tune - the lyrics aren't a direct translation) was released as a single in Japan. The Japanese lyrics mean:
"Flowers, Birds, don't ask me where we go.
We would just walk on. It's only such a thing.

Your heart, your word, I will never forget them.
..."
(thanks to Eiji Ikeda who translated these and sent them to the mailing list back in 1999)

(c) His song "Ima Dewa Ososugiru" is the third song that Masaaki Sakai recorded for "Monkey". This can be heard in episode 15, "Monkey Meets The Demon Digger", straight after Monkey is sent away by Tripitaka.

Note that I've included "massive" versions of the back sleeves just in case you would like to read the tiny Japanese kanji characters (they're difficult to distinguish between one another unless the scans are massive)

The back sleeves to both these EPs contain the lyrics for all the songs. I'm hoping to receive these lyrics in romanji characters, and maybe even English translations, at some point. If any of you can help with these in the meantime, please go ahead and send the information to me using the Monkey Feedback page

The Japanese romanji lyrics and English translation for these songs can be found on the pages below:
Monkey Music - Lyrics of "Songoku" by Masaaki Sakai

Monkey Music - Lyrics of "20 Oku Nen No Kurayami" by Masaaki Sakai

Monkey Music - Lyrics of "Ima Dewa Ososugiru" by Masaaki Sakai

Monkey Music - Lyrics of "Kono Michi No Hatemademo" by Masaaki Sakai

Other news / information!

First of all, please note that the information below is not presented very neatly yet - I've just put all the new information in red below. Sometime soon, I will incorporate all this information into the appropriate sections of this page.
Here's some miscellaneous Masaaki Sakai information from my Japanese friend:
The most important TV show he does is "Shinsyun Kakushigeitaikai" ("Celebrities' Hidden Talent Show"), parlor trick competition.
It is screened on 2 or 3 Jan every year.
He is King of KAKUSHIGEI as he was in dinner show in THE DAY I MET MONKEY!.

Shinsyun (noun) : New year
Kakushi (adj.): Hidden
Gei (noun) : Talent
Taikai(noun) : Open, Event, Show

Fuji-TV , SUN, 9:00 pm , "ARUARU DAIJITEN" , health information show
And the whole name of "Aruaru" is "Aruaru dai jiten"
It means Aruaru great dictionary.

(in response to a comment about me seeing Masaaki Sakai on TV every morning while I was on holiday in Japan in 2001):
I remember his great working. The name is "Kakkurakin dai housou".
It was a comedy on live. (1976-1986 NTV)

The latest news:
He gave his car, Alfa Romeo, to Masahiko "Macchi" KONDO who is a famous singer and racer, because Masaaki Sakai will be absent from the classic car race, La Festa Mille Miglia 2002 due to his business:
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/hochi/geinou/sep/o20020917_50.htm

Here's a snippet of info I've received from a friend in Japan:
Sakai's father, Shunji Sakai, was a famous actor and vaudevillian, often performing at theatres in Asakusa (in Tokyo).

Some old news
In August 2000, Masaaki Sakai performed a stage comedy based on famous character of Edo period. This show was called "Gozonzi Isshin Tasuke, Mekara uroko no monogatari". (Tasuke Isshin means "Story of awakening".) Tasuke Isshin is a legendary person in fiction like Robin Hood.

Here's a scan of the newspaper clipping advertising this show:
Masaaki Sakai's stage show in August 2000

It played from 1 August from 27 August 2000 at the Meijiza, Tokyo.

Here's some more information I received about Masaaki Sakai's stage comedy:
"Sakai's stage comedy is, as you know from newspaper cutting, a period drama based on a very popular character of early Edo era. The title of comedy is "Gozonji Isshin Tasuke" meaning "The famous Isshin Tasuke". Sakai plays Tasuke, a fish peddler, who is honest and straight without fear of authority. This story was repeatedly made into movies, stages and TV dramas.
Actually NHK made Tasuke story for prime time this year. Sakai's stage comedy is shown at Meijiza theater, Tokyo, till 27 this month."

Miscellaneous information
Check out these 2 Masaaki Sakai records: Masaaki Sakai & The Spiders/ASU-O INORU
Masaaki Sakai & The Spiders/FUTARI-HA IMA

Some information from a friend in Japan in August 2000:
"Masaaki Sakai still does a lot of Japanese TV. Seems like he and Beat Takeshi have got all the silly quiz shows and talk shows sown up. Actually, Masaaki does this sweet "Adventure" show that involves the guests winning little stuffed animals as they answer problems correctly. No guesses as to what the monkey dolls look like (^_^).
"Adventure" show: Can't be very old as it wasn't on this time last year. It is pretty stock stuff (There are another 2 shows like it). It is unusual to see something like this on Kyoto Broadcasting System though as they usually buy things in from TBS and Fuji TV. Actually though, the prog is a little bland abd I much prefer the dippy thing he does (can't recall the name) hanging onto a wand with a little demon stuck into the top.
Also he's been doing more CMs these days too (including a dead dodgey one for Nescafe canned coffee)

This web page mentions Masaaki Sakai a lot:
http://www.fujitv.co.jp/jp/pub_info/pub/98-365.html
My friend's translated some of it and says it basically talks about Sakai Masaaki and his antics in a pizza making contest and his rehearsal up to the event. It's pretty funny.

The lyrics to Masaaki Sakai's song "Saraba, Koibito" ("Goodbye, my love") are as follows:

Saraba koibito 
by Sakai Masaaki 
Sayonara to kaita tegami
"Table" no ue ni oita yo
Anata no nemuru kao mite
Damatte soto e tobi dashita
Itsumo shiawase sugita no ni
Kizukanai futari datta
Tsumetai kaze ni fukarete
Yoake no mati o hitori yuku
Warui no wa boku no hou sa kimi jyanai

Yureteru kishya no mado kara
Tiisaku ie ga mieta toki
Omowazu mune ni sakenda
Kanarazu kaette kuru yo to
Itsumo shiawase sugita no ni
Kizukanai futari datta
Furusato e kaeru tizu wa
Namida no umi ni sutete yukou
Warui no wa boku no hou sa kimi jyanai

Itsumo shiawase sugita no ni
Kizukanai futari datta
Furusato e kaeru tizu wa
Namida no umi ni sutete yukou
Warui no wa boku no hou sa kimi jyanai

Here's an English translation of this song by Julia Drake-Brockman:
Letter that said good-bye
I put it on the table, you know
As I watch you sleeping
silently, I leave...

Although we were always so happy
We never seemed to notice

Blown around by the cold wind
I entered town at dawn
I was the bad one, not you

From the window of the steamtrain
I saw the house in the distance
and without thinking I choked with sorrow
I promise I'll be back

Although we were always so happy
We never seemed to notice

The map that leads back to our hometown
I'll discard in a sea of tears
I was the bad one, not you

Although we were always so happy
We never seemed to notice

The map that leads back to our hometown
I'll discard in a sea of tears
I was the bad one, not you

Note from Julia about this translation:
"I've finally translated Masaaki's song...it's a bit prosaic..sorry...never been good at this sort of thing...which is undoubtedly why i'm not an award winning songwriter...if somebody wishes to make it a bit more poetic..."

Regarding the question of how good Masaaki Sakai's English is - according to someone who knows him: "Sakai san speaks fair English....."
Also, when he did the interview with Front magazine, the English journalist who conducted the interview said:
"Sakai speaks limited English - Millie speaks it very well.
There was an interpreter present during the interview who helped us overcome any language barriers that cropped up."
PS Millie is Masaaki Sakai's ex-wife.

A Japanese friend of mine sent me this information about Masaaki Sakai in July 2000:
"I happened to see a long interview with Mili Okada (Mrs. Sakai) on TV the other day. She talked a lot about Sakai as a husband and a father of two little daughters. You know he has been married twice. He founded "Sakai Masaaki Aids Fund" and helps fighting against Aids by conducting various activities. Although he is a very popular figure here, this part of his personality in not so well known."

Here's Masaaki Sakai's page on the "ARTISTdirect" web site:
MASAAKI SAKAI: Overview

It looks like Masaaki Sakai was in London in 2000, doing a tourist programme for Japanese TV:
Round the World
(this page includes a photo of him)

The TV show is called "Rough the World", and Masaaki Sakai did episode 2:
---
Episode 2 (4/19/00 & 4/26/00)
Sakai Masaaki takes you to London to visit spots off the beaten track--Perfume and jewelry shops frequently by the Royal Family; even a ghostly tour!

The Morning Freeway web page includes a photo of Masaaki Sakai competing the Mille Miglia race in 1998.

Some information from a Japanese friend in 2000: "About UK spiders best album, I wrote the band information.
This UK Big Beat label released 2 more GS (group sound, Japanese '60s beat) compilation called GS I Love You , the 1st volume include some spiders early recordings.
Please see my web pages' Wellwater conspiracy interview, they are unit from famous grange bands. can you believe they covered '60s spiders song!?
Wellwater Conspiracy

In '70s there was famous comedy program called Jikan desuyo. Sakai san appeared as main act, who worked at public bath boy. Monsieur Kamayatsu (another son filtre) appeared too. In some episode, they formed a bath boys rock band.

You can see Aussie issue and Dutch issue of Spiders EP on wanted

Here's the information for Masaaki Sakai's entry in the 2000 Mille Miglia race (driver number 245) - note that he's registered under his real name, Masaaki Kurihara:
KURIHARA
Co driver TSUKADA
Car CISITALIA 202 S MM
1947
Nationality Japanese.

Some more information about Masaaki Sakai's father:
"Sakai's father appeared some movies, at least, he appeared Spiders no Daishoudou and Spiders no Daishigeki."

The Songs page lists a song by Masaaki Sakai called "My Lullaby Song", which was sung in NHK's program 'Song to everybody'. However, the MP3 of this song seems to be someone else singing it (maybe the webmaster of this web page?)

Some information about The Spiders (the band Masaaki Sakai was in the 1960s):
Some of the Spiders movies are sold as video, the price is about 4000yen. Theirs movie are all comedy with their briliant original songs. They are interesting enough even if you can't understand Japanese well.

Machaaki's father was famous comedian, sometimes he acted as old lady, in some spiders movie he appeared such a old lady and said to Machaaki "Wanna see your parents(this is Japanese rubber stamp to young rudy boys)".

Here's 2 photos of The Spiders:
Spiders photo 1 Spiders photo 2
See if you can spot Masaaki :)

Check out the excellent Trans-World '60s Punk:Cutie Morning Moon website, that is dedicated to 60s garage punk, and includes information about The Spiders and The Tigers.

Here's a photo of Masaaki Sakai doing the "Monkey dance" while he was in The Spiders:
Monkey Dance
This is the 1st Spiders single:
Furi Furi / Monkey Dance (1st single, failed to chart)

"SONGOKU" composed by Yoko & Takekawa Masaaki Sakai's song "Songoku" was composed by composed by Yoko & Takekawa. Yoko = Yoko Narahashi. She wrote the words to Songoku, Gandhara, Monkey Magic .. almost all words of Godiego songs are written by her.

"By the way, we Japanese call 'Monkey'(not TV title but He) "Songoku" Son is Family Name. Goku is first name."

The Alex's Japanese Drama List web page includes listings for 2 of Masaaki Sakai's TV shows: "Papa Survival", "Sekai de Ichiban Papa ga Suki". These TV shows are available on video for trade (not for sale).

In 1996, Masaaki Sakai won an award (Minister of Education Award for New Artists) - here's the details:
---
Field: Popular Entertainment

Name: Masaaki Sakai (real name: Masaaki Kurihara)
Age: 49
Profession: Comedian
Awarded for: Performing the comedy, "Oshaberi Denroku.(Talkative Denroku)"
---

Some information from a Japanese friend about whether Masaaki Sakai had received any martial arts training for the role:
"He is not a martial arts speacialist. He somehow learned it for the drama. Japanese TV has samurai drama tradition, so actors can take it into their performances. Masaaki Sakai is now known as a very versatile actor."

Here's some Japanese web sites related to Masaaki Sakai:
---
It says something about a trademark beige coat, and Shinano, it's about his Columbo film:
http://www.fujitv.co.jp/jp/golden/pub/99-81.html

Daddy Survival is now available on DVD...you can see Masaaki on the cover: http://www.tdf.toshiba.co.jp/tdf/dvdsoft/soft/tobh-1013.htm
---

The Vol.3 web page includes info on a Japanese song by Masaaki Sakai called 'Streetlight".
The Saturday Night Chubaw! is for Masaaki Sakai's TV show 'Here's the kitchen'.

Here's some information I received from an Australian Monkey fan in September 1999:
"Did anyone in OZ see the show Unreal TV on Sunday night (channel 10)?

Masaaki Sakai was in the very last clip - they were showing a bit from his show (probably "Superhuman Coliseum") and some guy was drinking milk and regurgitating it through his nose, then drinking tadpoles and then regurgitating them through his nose, back into their tank. Now that's what I call quality programming."

Back in the 1970s, Masaaki Sakai used to present a 'Top 10 Chart Hits' music TV show in Japan, and since Godiego were on this TV show a lot, he got to know the band members quite well.

When Monkey was first shown in Japan, it was possible to buy a toy retractable Monkey staff. Oh boy do I want one!

Sending fanmail to Masaaki Sakai

Masaaki Sakai
S Dash
3-16-13-512
Roppongi, Minato-ku
Tokyo
JAPAN 106-0032

Biography

After that, he appeared in HAHA WA SAKIBINAKU, also in 1952, Shin Toho's HAWAI CHONDOCHU in 1954 etc. Then he turned to singing. In 1962, he joined the Japanese rock group, The Spiders, as a vocalist (he also played the flute at times). The following year, 1963, he left school. From about 1966 onwards, The Spiders rode a wave of popularity, along with The Tigers and The Tempters. In 1966 they had a hit, "Taiyo ga naite iru" and in 1970, "Electronic obachan" etc. Sakai achieved sudden popularity. The group made two films for Nikkatsu in 1967, two more for the same film company the following year and one for Toho also in 1968.

Here's a photo of The Spiders taken at their management office (click on it to see a larger version of it):

The Spiders are still very famous in Japan. In the Spiders, only Ohno Katsuo (keyboard), Inoue Takayuki, and a bass player had musical backgrounds. Tanabe Shouchi (drummer) was a president of the management office and a music publisher, who was forced to become a member due to the shortage of members. Masaaki Sakai had already acted (movies like Funaki Kazuo's seishun/kikaku - mono) by then. They also needed a handsome-looking one to appeal to female fans, and so Inoue Jun was hired. In those days, not many keyboard player used both hands! In Japan, the Spiders are Mod icons, and figurines of the band were produced; they are so collectable that they cost as much as ?00! For lots more information about the Spiders, check out the Spiders web site.

In 1970, the group disbanded and Sakai became independent as a solo singer. In 1971, he had the hit, "Saraba, koibito" and received Nihon Record Grand Prix Popular Award. After he went solo, he made a number of comedies for Toho in the early 70s. He has appeared in other films for other studios throughout his career up to the present.

With his small frame (ed.: in real life, he looks very much as he does in MONKEY with the same cheeky face but he doesn't have heavy sideburns or such thick eyebrows.), he moves his body well and can make people laugh with his deft, clever nonsense actions and his gags. He shows a comedic sense which he inherited from his father.

In television, in 1970, he received the Golden Arrow Special Prize on TBS' JIKAN DESU YO and made many appearances including SAIYUKI (MONKEY) on various networks throughout the 70s.

In May 1974, he got married. A few years later, they were divorced. He didn't have any children in his first marriage.

In 1989 he re-married to Millie Okada who was an actress and fashion model. He is known to be a devoted husband and father, and has two daughters, Kikuno and Koharu. He has said of his daughters, 'they're so cute that I don't mind if I put into my eyes.' (this is a Japanese expression). Before their marriage, Millie Okada was once a model for women's magazines. Since both Masaaki and Millie began supporting activities to fight against AIDS, she sometimes appears on TV talk shows to speak out for their campaign.

When Masaaki was 6 years old, he lived in Kamakura (suburb of Tokyo). They had a strange lodger, Yonosuke Yamazaki. Before becoming an entertainer, Shunji Sakai (his father) was working at a public bath. Yonosuke was the owner of the public bath. He lost his ownership of the public bath because of debt, and he stayed at Shunji's house. Masaaki says 'I thought Yonosuke was my real grandfather, but he wasn't actually.' Even after Shunji's death, Yonosuke continued to live with them, when they moved. Once, Yonosuke secretly took Masaaki's sunglasses out for his 'the retired' meeting and took a picture. On another occasion, he picked up the phone and imitated Masaaki's voice for a joke. Masaaki says 'I might be seeking for 'Fatherhood' in Yonosuke. He died at about 90 years old like sleeping.' Masaaki continues 'I think I could help him to make his life great.'

He is known as a singer, and is a popular tv host and entertainer on many prime time TV shows in Japan, and occasionally he acts in (comedy) drama series. He is one of the biggest stars in Japan, and is still on TV a lot (he recently had two daytime shows). He is known as a "great entertainer" now and has the nick-name "Macha-aki". He is well-loved and is well known for being funny.

His songs used to be pop music, and although he has sung moody ballads it is not enka - he has never been an enka singer. In 1999, he came back as a member of Sans Filter, in which he sings beat numbers. Once a year, there is a Japanese TV programme called Kohaku Uta Gassen (Red-White Singer Clash). The best singers are picked and divided into male vs female singers. It's worth watching this programme as Masaaki may appear on it.

Masaaki is a famous car enthusiast, and has competed several times in the annual Mille Miglia retrospective car race in Italy (it takes place every May), including in May 1998, with his wife as navigator.
Some news: "On 18 October 2000, Masaaki Sakai entered a Japanese road race with his pal Inoue (the guitarist of Sans Filter), he won the race! Got No.1 prize! It's amazing!"

His height is 165 cm.

Usually, he never meets fans, but in November 1998, he met with me and Nikki Brown, since we'd travelled all the way from England to Japan in the hope of meeting him. During our meeting with him, we found out that he speaks some English, and also noticed that he barely seems to have aged (just a few grey hairs) since doing Monkey in 1978. For more information about our meeting with him, see the The Day I Met Monkey page.

Masaaki has great comic timing and he really is a fun and quirky actor to watch. Even though we don't get to hear his real voice in the English dubbed version of Monkey, his facial expressions often say everything.

Masaaki was once asked to revive "Monkey" in a parody show but he declined, saying that the show was quite special to him and best kept untouched.

Before acting alongside Masako Natsume in Monkey, he appeared in Toei's Truck Yaro:Otoko Ippiki Momotaro movie with her.

Monkey's dubbed English voice sounds almost identical to the Japanese voice of Masaaki Sakai in the original version.

Masaaki recorded two songs that can be heard in "Monkey":
- A Japanese version of the Godiego ballad "Thank You, Baby". This can be heard in episode 11, "The Difference Between Night and Day", and episode 15, "Monkey Meets The Demon Digger".
- The song played at the end of all season 2 episodes (it ends with the words "Magic Monkey"), just before the end credits. This song is called "Songoku" (co-written by Yukihide Takekawa from Godiego) and was released as a single in Japan. A longer clip of this song can be heard near the start of episode 34, "Keep on Dancing".

There is a rumour that he has something to do with the restaurant business.

In Japan, Masaaki Sakai sometimes does lunchtime and dinner shows, in which he sings, tells jokes, performs tricks, and often involves members of the audience. On Christmas Eve 1996, he did one at the Hotel New Otani in Tokyo.

On Christmas Eve 1997, he did another one at the Hotel New Otani in Tokyo.

In November 1998, he did 2 dates at hotels in Japan:
08/11 Plaza Inn Mizusawa (Mizusawa, Iwate-prefecture)
14/11 Imabari International Hotel (Imabari,Ehime-prefecture)

News [May 2000]

At the time of the email (24 May 2000), he was in Italy taking part in the Mille Miglia race.

Masaaki Sakai heard that the first 2 Monkey videos were successful in the UK, and he is happy to hear the big sales of the videos and the wide appeal for the people in the UK. He was pleasantly surprised that he has a high popularity among young people.

For information about Sans Filtre, see the Monkey Cast - Masaaki Sakai - Sans Filtre" web page.

In the first week of September 2000, for the first time ever, Masaaki Sakai watched the English-dubbed version of Monkey at home with his daughters. Usually he doesn't watch programmes in which he's appeared. But he enjoyed watching Monkey. He even said that the English-dubbed voice is close to his own. He also said that he was very active at the time!

His stage productions include:

Oshaberi Denroku (1995) (Meijiza)

His TV shows include:

Jikan Desu Yo (1970) (TBS)
He received the Golden Arrow Special Prize for his performance in this tv show.

"Hacchaki Machaaki" (1970s) (TBS)
This was Masaaki Sakai's most popular TV show in the 1970s - it was a comedy TV variety show with short cont and music.

Monkey ('Saiyuuki' in Japanese) (1978) (NTV)
This web site is dedicated to Monkey, so for more information about it, go to the Monkey Heaven homepage.

Daddy Survival

Here's the Kitchen! ('Chuubou desuyo!' in Japanese) (TBS)
His weekly/daily (?) comedy cookery show.
This cookery entertainment programme is hosted by Masaaki Sakai with his assistant Tohko Amemiya, and features many celebrity guests. This show is completely different from other cookery entertainment programmes in that the dishes are good sometimes and very BAD at other times! The chatting among the participants is hilarious. Sometimes Masaaki has to cook things himself on this show. There was one show where these three chefs were giving tips and advice and Masaaki Sakai had to cook a meal.
In one show, a celebrity tried to make a traditional Japanese dish 'niku-jaga' (beef and potato) with the help of cooking tips given by chefs.
Masaaki Sakai (host), Touko Amemiya (hostess) and a guest try cooking the prepared menu, by following the instructions of three professional chefs (sometimes a video recording, sometimes they're live in the studio). After dinner the guest gives a rating from zero to three points (stars).

Superhuman Coliseum
This show showcases people with very bizarre "talents". Masaaki Sakai is one of the hosts of this TV show.
NOTE: In the UK, clips from show are often shown on the ITV show "Tarrant on TV", and it's often possible to see Masaaki in the clip!

Shinano no Columbo (1998)
He's a Japanese-style Columbo, called Iwao Takemura, and walks around in this baggy raincoat (he doesn't limp though). You see him going around putting the pieces together and solving the crime, it's so corny.

Kakushigeitaikai (Fuji TV)
An annual event and back in the early days...

Celebrities' Hidden Talent Show. (Fuji TV)
Fuji TV's long running New Year special. This has been running in Japan for over 20 years. Masaaki Sakai shows fantastic talent on this show every year, e.g. pulling a table cloth from under a fully-laid table.

Tennou no ryouriban
A serial where he played an Emperors' cook.

Aruaru
A show he does about things that are good for your health.
In one show, the topic was how good vinegar is for health (the type of vinegar most commonly used in Japan is rice vinegar which has rather yellowish colour).

Tokugawa Yoshinobu (NHK) [Episode synopses]
A Japanese historical drama, in which all the men have partly-shaven heads and look very weird. NHK is a national network, sort of like the BBC.
The story is set sometime in the mid-19th century. At that time Japan started trading with overseas for the first time in about 300 years. New things came into Japan (in one episode the spreading of the newly-imported disease cholera is depicted) and the society became unstable. There were two parties: one comprised advocates of the feudal government of the time and the other was against it and thinking of establishing a new government.
NOTE: This is also shown by Japanese Satellite television (JSTV). In the UK, JSTV's telephone no. is 0171 426 7330, and their fax no. is 0171 426 7339

?Unknown name?
Masaaki portrayed some sort of wrestling robot.

[He made many appearances on various networks throughout the 70s - which tv shows? If you know, please let me know.]

You may be able to see some of his shows on an Asian TV network, if where you live in has a large enough Japanese population.

His TV adverts include:

A beer commercial
With a bit where he sings a line and then says "good night" in English.

His movies include:

1. Spiders

Kougen no Ojyousan 65.12 Nikkatsu
Seishun A Go Go 66.3 Nikkatsu
Namidakun Sayounara 66.7 Nikkatsu
Yuuhi ga naiteiru 67.5 Nikkatsu
The Spiders no Go Go Mukoumizu sakusen 67.8 * Nikkatsu
Kigeki Ekimae 100 nen 67.11 Tohou
Kimi wa Koibito 67.11 Nikkatsu
The Spiders no Daishingeki 68.1 * Nikkatsu
Omoide no yubiwa 68.4 Shochiku
The Spiders no Daisoudou 68.5 Nikkatu
The Spiders no Baritou Chindouchu 68.8 Nikkatsu
Kitahodaka zessho 68.9 Toho
Nippon Oyafukou Jidai 68.12 * Toho

All movies are comical and with many of their original songs. So if you can't understand Japanese, you can still enjoy them.

2. Solo

[He made a number of comedies for Toho in the early 70s - what were they called? If you know, please let me know.]

TV shows / movies

Tokyo Kishiden (1952)
Haha Wa Sakibinaku (1952)
Shin Toho's Hawai Chondochu (1954)

His records include:

1. Spiders

Albums
1. New Best (Philips) (PHCL-2027)
2. Album No.1 + No.2 (2 in 1) (TECN-20387)
3. '67 Album No.3+6 (2 in 1) (TECN-20388)
4. Wind Is Weeping + Album No.4+8 (2 in 1) (TECN-20389)
5. Meiji 100 Years, Spiders 7 Years Plus No.5 (2 in 1) (TECN-20390)
6. '69 Album No.7+5 (2 in 1) (TECN-20391)
7. Rock "N" Roll Runaissance+6 (2 in 1) (TECN-20392)
8. Let's Go Spiders (Ace Records) (CDWIKD 202) (OCT 2000)

Some of these CDs can be bought from:
CDJapan

The first 7 CDs can be bought from the online CD store Comfort, which is based in Japan.
You won't find the CD listed anywhere on their web site. Follow the instructions given for "Placing an Order", letting them know which country you're in and the CD details, and they'll get back to you with the total cost and payment instructions.

Pictures of some of these albums can be found on the Spiders web site.

CD 8 refers to a compilation album released in the UK in October 2000:
On Monday 30 October 2000, "Let's Go Spiders" CD was released in the UK. It features many of the best known songs by the Japanese band The Spiders, which featured Masaaki Sakai. See the Ace Records - CDWIKD 202 - OCT 2000 page for full details of this CD, including a tracklisting. See the Ace Records Album Search Results and CDWIKD 202 pages for the tracklisting and short biography of The Spiders on separate pages.

Ace/Big Beat are well distributed, so the CDs should be available to order from all High St record shops (Our Price, V-Store, HMV, MVC). Alternatively, you can order it by mail order - details given on the Ace Records web site.

See the wanted page for information about some of the Spiders music that was released in Australia and the USA.
See the GSのCD再発情報：スパイダース (Japanese) page for information about various Spiders CDs.
See the GSのCD再発情報 page for details of "The Spiders story" 2CD with MC by Masaaki Sakai and Jun Inoue.
See the GSreissued CD page for details of re-issued Spiders CD that are available to buy now.

2. Solo

Click on the picture of the front of the sleeve to see a larger picture of it. It is no longer possible to click on the back of the record sleeve picture to view a larger picture of the lyrics.
Click here for a translation of the lyrics into English.

2. Shiawase E No Shotai (2:42) / Dare Demo Ai O Motometeru (3:04)

Click on the above picture to see a larger picture of it.

3. Magic Monkey
4. Songoku
5. Saraba, koibito (a hit in 1971)

Albums
1. Best One (Victor)
2. Best Selection (Columbia)

(Click here to see the back)
Click on the above pictures to see larger versions of them.
Click here for the track listing (including English translations).

3. Best Of Best (Victor)
4. Twenty-Three Nights - Collection (Victor)
5. Best Score of "Machaaki" (TECN-25619) - you can see a photo of this album on the GSのCD再発情報 page.

CDs 1 (repackaged and now called just "Masaaki Sakai") and 5 (listed under its Japanese name "Machaaki no Best Score") can be bought from :
http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=VICL-41068
http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=TECN-25619

[I don't know where CDs 2, 3 and 4 can be bought. If you know, please let me know.]

3. Sans Filtre

Their single "Yei Yei" was released by Chikara-Juku Co., Ltd, catalogue number: CJEH-3002.
It's a 3-track maxi CD, featuring:
Yei Yei
Time
YA YA
They performed all 3 of these songs on Kohaku. My favourite is "Time" - it sounds very Beatles-esque, a bit like "Don't Let Me Down". The first 2 lines of the song is "I need your love on my mind... I need your love all the time".

The images below show the various parts of the sleeve of this Sans Filtre CD, including the lyrics, and a promotional poster advertise the release of this CD:

It's possible for fans all over the world to order Sans Filtre's "Yei Yei" CD from the CD Japan online store.
To find it, click on Search, and use 2.Search by a word to search for Sans Filtre.
NOTE: When ordering from CD Japan, I'd recommend getting the CD shipped by Airmail (Express Mail to some countries, including the UK, can cost over twice the cost of Airmail and can cost more than the cost of the CD). So please ensure that on the order form, you set the Delivery Method to "By Airmail" (unless you set this, it will be shipped by Express mail, which is more expensive).

If you have any information about Masaaki Sakai, or if you can help with any of the missing bits on this page, please let me know using the Monkey Feedback page, and I'll put the information here.

Related web sites:

Monkey Cast - Masaaki Sakai - Sans Filtre - All the latest information on Masaaki Sakai's band, Sans Filtre!

The Day I Met Monkey - Details of the day I met Masaaki Sakai!

The Day I Met Masaaki Sakai - Photo Gallery Thumbnails - Photos from the day Nikki Brown and I met Masaaki Sakai (on the excellent The Unofficial Masaaki Sakai Website web site).

machaki - This page features a bizarre caricature of Masaaki's head on a chicken's body!

Monkey Autographs - Masaaki Sakai - Masaaki Sakai autographs.

Monkey Interviews - Masaaki Sakai - Interviews with Masaaki Sakai.

Monkey Meetings - Masaaki Sakai - Details of fans who've met Masaaki Sakai.

Filmography for Masaaki Sakai [Internet Movie Database] - Lists his movies and tv shows.

Western Carnival - All about the Western Carnival festival in Tokyo in the 1960s - features a picture of Masaaki Sakai in his band The Spiders!

Spiders - A great biography of Masaaki's old band The Spiders!

Group Sounds - Information about Masaaki Sakai's old band The Spiders

October 18, Party Line - Includes a photo of Kevin Costner with Masaaki Sakai, who both played golf in the Suntory Open '96 pro-am!