Hayasaka, Fumio 1914 - 1955
Author: Sudoh, Eiko
Last updated：April 20, 2018
Author: Sudoh, Eiko
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Born in Sendai in 1914, Hayasaka Fumio's family moved to Hokkaido when he was four years old. He became familiar with the piano and organ during his middle school years and aspired to become a composer at the age of 15. However, due to family circumstances, he entered society immediately after graduating from middle school and pursued music through self-study.
In 1934, he met Akira Ifukube, Atsushi Miura, and others, and together they formed the "New Music League" in Sapporo. Influenced by the music of Satie, they brought a fresh perspective to the Japanese music scene, which had been predominantly focused on German music. Subsequently, his orchestral works, Prelude to Two Hymns (1935) and Ancient Dances (1937), successively received awards. In 1936, he received guidance from Alexander Tcherepnin, who visited Japan, and the following year, his piano piece Nocturne No. 1 (1936) was published.
Career in Film and Academia
In 1939, recognized by the president of Toho Film, he moved to Tokyo. He joined Toho Film as a music director and composed scores for films such as Akira Kurosawa's Rashomon and Seven Samurai, and Kenji Mizoguchi's Ugetsu Monogatari. His music frequently won music awards at the Mainichi Film Concours, thereby supporting the golden age of Japanese cinema from a musical standpoint. In 1941, he became a lecturer at Nihon University's Department of Arts, where he was in charge of the newly established "Film Music" course.
Concert Works and "Pan-Orientalism"
Concurrently, he served as a committee member in organizations such as the Japan Music Culture Association and the post-war Japan Society for Contemporary Music. From 1947 onwards, he actively dedicated himself to works for concert performance, holding annual premieres with the "Shin Sakkyoku-ha Kyokai" (New Composers' Association), which he co-founded with Yasuji Kiyose, Akira Ifukube, and others. His compositional style was distinctly Oriental, drawing inspiration from Gagaku and Noh. He advocated for "Pan-Orientalism," aiming to shift the framework of music from Western to Oriental. This endeavor provided significant guidance to his successors, including Toru Takemitsu and Yasushi Akutagawa, and profoundly influenced the direction of subsequent Japanese contemporary music.
Major Works and Piano Compositions
His representative works include:
- Dance of the Left and Dance of the Right (1941)
- Metamorphosis for Orchestra (1953)
- Yukara (1955, posthumous work)
Piano pieces were composed throughout his entire creative period, including:
- Five Movements for Piano (1940)
- Piano Album in Pentatonic Scale Nos. 1 & 2 (1940)
- Poem (1947)
- Piano Concerto (1948)
Among these, Piano Pieces for Chamber (1941) particularly well expresses Hayasaka's aspiration for "Japaneseness," both musically and philosophically.
Death and Legacy
Hayasaka passed away in 1955 at the young age of 41 due to chronic tuberculosis. Posthumously, he was awarded the Mainichi Film Concours Special Music Award and the Minister of Education Award for Fine Arts.
Author : Sudoh, Eiko
Last Updated: April 20, 2018
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Author : Sudoh, Eiko
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Fumio Hayasaka was born in Sendai in 1914. When he was four years old, he moved to Hokkaido with his family. During his junior high school years, he became proficient in piano and organ, deciding to pursue composition at the age of 15. However, due to his family's circumstances, he was unable to attend music school. Upon graduating from junior high school, he immediately entered the workforce and pursued his musical education through self-study.
Formation of the New Music League and Early Works
In 1934, Hayasaka met with Akira Ifukube and Atsushi Miura, and together they formed the “New Music League” in Sapporo. Influenced by French composers such as Satie, they introduced a new impetus to the Japanese music scene, which had been predominantly shaped by German influences. Subsequently, Hayasaka's early orchestral works, Futatsu no Sanka e no Zensoukyoku (Prelude to Two Hymns) (1935) and Kodai no Bukyoku (Dance Antique) (1937), garnered awards. In 1936, Hayasaka studied composition with Alexander Tcherepnin during his visit to Japan. The following year, his piano piece Nocturne (1936) was published.
Film Music Career
In 1939, Hayasaka relocated to Tokyo, having been recruited by the president of Toho Corporation. As a music director, he joined Toho Corporation, where he composed numerous film scores, including Akira Kurosawa's Rashomon and Seven Samurai, as well as Kenji Mizoguchi's Ugetsu Monogatari. His film scores received multiple Mainichi Film Awards and significantly contributed to the golden age of Japanese cinema. In 1941, Hayasaka became a lecturer at Nihon University Arts Department, lecturing in newly established 'Film Music' courses.
Concert Works and Musical Philosophy
Concurrently, Hayasaka served as a committee member for organizations such as the Japan Music Culture Association and the Japan Society for Contemporary Music. He also actively composed concert pieces, frequently presenting his works at the “New Composition Association,” which he co-founded with Yasuji Kiyose, Akira Ifukube, and others in 1947. Hayasaka's musical style was distinctly Oriental, drawing inspiration from Japanese traditional music, including Gagaku and Noh. He advocated 'pan-orientalism,' striving to shift the musical paradigm from a Western-centric framework to an Oriental one. His endeavors provided guidance to younger composers, including Tōru Takemitsu and Yasushi Akutagawa, and profoundly influenced the subsequent Japanese contemporary music scene.
Major Works
Hayasaka's major works include:
- Ancient Dances on the Left and on the Right (1941)
- Transformation for Orchestra (1953)
- Yukara (1955, posthumous)
He composed numerous piano pieces throughout his lifetime, such as:
- Five Movements for Piano (1940)
- Piano Album in Pentatonic Scale 1st, 2nd (1940)
- Poetry Song (1947)
- Piano Concerto (1948)
Among his piano compositions, 17 Piano Pieces for Camber (1941) notably reflects Hayasaka's aspiration to express Japanese culture, both musically and philosophically.
Later Life and Legacy
He succumbed to chronic tuberculosis in 1955, at the age of 41. Posthumously, he was honored with the Mainichi Film Special Music Award and the Art Encouragement Prizes.
Works(30)
Piano Solo
pieces (3)
prelude (2)
Various works (13)