Official Seiko Matsuda Thread

[Kaiouforever]

If add all of those albums up, her sales for last week totaled 30,740!

Not bad. =]

[Zemus]

It's very impressive actually. The amount of sales for those are already close to what it was for her total 2007 sales. Back then she released a brand new album and three singles. Not any re-releases.
"Baby's breath" (album) sold 20,000+ and "Namida ga Tada Koboreru Dake" (single) 7,000+ copies. I don't have any stats for the other two singles though.

There was some promotion going on at the Omotesandou subway in Tokyo:


Credit: 雨のリゾート

Quite huge wall with Seiko albums there!

[Alessia_Tateno]

I'm sorry for not posting here for a long time (and my husband didnt have time to translate yet T.T I'm so sorry but I formated and many things happened...I'll try to make him do so ASAP...again I'm sorry T.T)

...But yesterday I did this picture on CD SHOP ^^

[Zemus]

Aah, please do not worry about it. I reassure you that I have no problem to wait, no matter how long it takes. In fact, it is I who should worry about how to properly repay and thank you and your husband for taking up this generous task.

Thanks for taking that picture. I couldn't resist purchasing several of those albums if I were there right now .

[Zemus]

カリブ・愛のシンフォニー
"Karibu Ai no Symphony"

I am a huge collector of everything Seiko. Movies and dramas being no exception. Yesterday I watched a movie from 1985 again. The interesting part of it is that it also is starring Masaki Kanda. He was married to Seiko for 12 years and they have a daughter together. This movie is probably a huge factor to how they met and started going out together.

Filming started on 1984/11/01, hence the "Pink no Mozart and "Heart no Earring" Seiko look. Locations included Japan, Mexico and Caribbean. Made some caps (in spoiler in case you do not wanna see):

Spoiler:

There is some intense kissing going on. It would be too much for AHS standards so I avoided to make captures of that scene. Surprised me the first time I watched the movie, after all she was such a famous idol. It's a movie but idols usually required to have this perfect, innocent and pure image.

Info on Seiko and Masaki Kanda:

• 1984/11/01 - "Karibu Ai no Symphony" filming begins.
• 1985/02/01 - They meet again when Seiko goes to Los Angeles to record.
• 1985/02/12 - Declared as lovers. Officially going out together.
• 1985/04/09 - Engagement announced at New Otani hotel.
• 1985/06/24 - Wedding ceremony with over 500 guests. Broadcasted live on TV around Japan. Had an amazing viewership rating of 34.9%.
  (Note: this beats a lot of of TV programs, even the most popular dramas)
• 1986/10/01 - Daughter Sayaka is born.
• 1997/01/10 - Divorce (view the divorce statement in English here!).

Scenes from the wedding, VTR on MUSIC STATION episode 1991/10/11 (uploaded by me):

[Kaiouforever]

That movie is so 80s! (Look at the outfit in the second cap! Hehe)

So...I know she just had that big re-release and all, but when are we getting a new release? =]

[Zemus]

^ We have to give it some time. Label switch is probably complicating things. I read on a Japanese blog awhile back that she is supposed to begin recording now that her concert tour ended. My prediction is a mid October to early December single release perhaps. Hopefully they will announce something next month.

Here is an article on Seiko in English language. Thought I would share since it's not very common to find material on her in non Japanese. It's a short snippet from a book entitled "Secrets, sex, and spectacle: the rules of scandal in Japan and the United States" which was published in 2006. I apologize if there are typos found, pretty much had to write the whole thing with my keyboard.

Seiko Matsuda is the queen of Japanese celebrity scandal. According to Shuukan Playboy, Seiko's privacy has been invaded more times than that of any other person in Japan, with 4,510 invasive stories from 1971 to March 2004. I have my doubts about the academic standard of Shuukan Playboy, but its count is a good indication, or at least an unsurprising one, of how her life is viewed by many people in Japan.

Seiko Matsuda (born Noriko Kamachi) began her career as a sixteen-year-old in 1978, when she won the first prize in a regional CBS-Sony-sponsored talent contest in Fukuoka, in southern Japan. Against her father's wishes, she traveled alone to Tokyo a year later to audition for Sun Music, the agency that eventually would propel Noriko Sakai (and her cutesy language) to stardom.

At Sun Music's urging, CBS-Sony embarked on a huge publicity campaign to make Seiko the number one sickeningly cute teenage idol of her generation. She filled the role perfectly, ignoring attempts by the music brass to shape her into a more mature singer and favoring an over-the-top cute approach that made her look like a child trapped in a woman's body. Her fake tears of joy (she sobbed, nothing fell) upon winning awards in 1980 earned the scorn of many but just increased her charm for faithful fans.

Seiko was more than a cute idol. She had cleverly shaped her own image into a Japanese stereotypical femininity, much as Madonna did in America. Her career took off; by 2004 she had 39 consecutive top-ten albums. In the 1980s, she racked up 24 consecutive number one singles on the Japanese charts - a figure that smashes records in both the United States (Whitney Houston, 7) and the United Kingdom (the Beatles, 7). The Beatles had only 20 U.S. number ones in their entire career.

The tabloids pounced: she was a false pretense of a star, a bowlegged country bumpkin who didn't deserve her fame. No matter; Seiko responded by grabbing her ideological soul mate, the baby-faced teen idol Hiromi Go (born Hiromi Haratake), who, more than twenty years later, continues to attract fans and turn stomachs with fake charm and a Japanese version of Ricky Martin's "La Vida Loca". They had plans to marry, apparently, until 1984, when Seiko fell in love with actor Masaki Kanda after he took care of her following a case of food poisoning in Mexico. She said to have broken off her relationship with Hiromi before she held a widely viewed press conference announcing their breakup. If front of the cameras, she once again was unable to produce a tear, even when she sobbed, "If we are reincarnated, let's be together". She then married Kanda in a ceremony that was seen on television by one out of three people in Japan.

Around this time, Seiko mutated from Madonna to Cher, becoming the entertainer who could not be be put asunder. For this her fans, who flocked to her 2004 tour to see the 42-year-old smile and sing her hits in frilly dresses meant for 16-year-old English court maidens, adored her. But unlike the difficulties Cher faced, Seiko's troubles, all of which were gleefully documented in the tabloids (and occasionally even the elite press), were of her own making. Volumes have been written about Seiko's tumultuous life (and most people in Japan know at least the broad outlines); for brevity, I will go blow-by-blow:

• 1985: Marries Kanda.
• 1986: Gives birth to Sayaka.
• 1987: Breaks social conventions by performing on stage again soon after
  childbirth (before Seiko, singers typically retired or took very long breaks after giving birth).
  Romantically linked to director Yoshitarou Negishi and actors Hiroyuki Sanda and Eiji Okada.
• 1988: Attempts to break into the U.S. market.
  Fails miserably in the U.S. market.
  While staying at the Park Lane Hotel in New York, allegedly begins a relationship - caught by tabloid photographers - with Masahiko "Matchy" Kondo. Matchy is the seven-year boyfriend and love of the life of Akina Nakamori, Seiko's rival and, with her more mature styles and sultry voice, in some sense the anti-Seiko.
  Three months later, Akina Nakamori attempts suicide. Seiko is implicated.
• 1989: Becomes independent, refusing to re-sign with Sun.
• 1990: Begins dating aspiring American actor Jeff Nichols, who tabloids claim is called "Daddy" by Sayaka.
• 1991: Is said to begin an affair with dancer Alan Reed.
• 1992: Linked again to Jeff.
• 1994: Jeff publishes kiss-and-tell book, Broken Heart.
  Kanda (remember him? her husband) claims everything is OK.
  Massive comeback ensues.
• 1997: Divorce from Kanda.
• 1998: Marries her dentist, Hiroyuki Hatano.
  Alan Reed files sexual harassment claim.
• 2000: Divorces Hatano.
• 2002: Daughter Sayaka debuts.
• 2003: Reconciles with rival Akina Nakamori, allowing their songs to appear on the same compilation CD (by 2005 they are bowling against each other on variety television).
• 2005-6: Allegedly feuds with Sayaka.

All along the way, the media attacked, the biggest story line being Seiko's insincerity. Fake crying, fake love, fake childishness, fake, fake, fake. Other story lines included suffering (isn't she durable!) and the usual attacks on her mothering ability and extramarital affairs.

Seiko is a Japanese Cosmo girl, the girl who knows what she wants both economically and sexually and takes the necessary steps to get it.

The author of that book is not even Japanese to begin with. It says in the book introduction that he visited Kyoto University in Japan to get some sources. Some of the "facts" listed are incorrect. He claims the she attempted to conquer the US market in 1988 and failed miserably. It was two years later and I wouldn't use the word miserably. She failed, yes. But had some small success as well, I would even say that she was more successful then a lot of Japanese stars who have tried it later on. It's true that Seiko's 1988 released "Citron" album had a lot of English lyrics but it surely wasn't made available outside Japan. Therefore, it doesn't count. This article made it seem that she was always faking everything, too. Surely is not completely the case. Fake crying? Yeah, maybe on some occasions (expected for an idol anyway), but I've seen her cry for real on a lot TV shows around the time of that breakup with Hiromi Go, during concers and when receiving awards.

Then there is that unfortunate Akina incident (a scandal that, I believe, is one of the reasons why her "Precious Heart" single was only weekly #2 and ended her streak)... The author claims Seiko reconciled with her as late as in 2003. Wrong again, it's a fact that Akina attended Seiko's concert in 1991. Plus they were both guests on several TV shows together in the 90s (MUSIC STATION etc.) and they got along extremely well. Now why would they do that if they still had some kind of feud ongoing.

Finally, tabloids are tabloids, one shouldn't trust everything they read in those. Although I must admit that their interest for Seiko have been quite immense!

Nonetheless a very interesting article.

[4minute Girl]

i reallyt want to by her cds

[Zemus]

New CM coming up soon. Diosa "Milky Type". Take a look at the promo picture:



The product release is 9/7 so we should expect to be able to watch a video of the new CM by then. Can't wait!

http://www.paon-diosa.jp/

[Kaiouforever]

Every time I see her she gets younger! I can't wait for the CM =D

[Zemus]

Still no CM but I agree with you, she does always look young for her age. In fact, if you ask me then she does sometime even look younger now than she did back in the 90s. What did you think of that book article by the way?

I've been watching a lot of Seiko on variety TV shows lately. I must say that anything with Seiko and Takaaki Ishibashi in it is totally win (UTABAN, Tunnels no Minasan Okagedesu, Food Prejudice King etc.). While at it I also found a scene of Seiko's TV debut. Captures from the NTV drama "おだいじに" (Odaijini) that originally aired way back in 1979. She is only 17 at this time:


VTR on Matthew's Best Hit TV 2005.02.09


Seiko as guest on the first ever episode of
Tunnels - Food Prejudice King (1995.05.04)

[Kaiouforever]

My friend jokes that he's waiting for the day when she turns into a baby (since she seems to get younger looking haha).

^That article is mostly rubbish, not even written by a Japanese person who probably can't even speak it. Of course Seiko-chan had a lot of drama in the news, but most of it was simply for publicity, or not true, because people sold lots of copies of magazines by publishing stories about her.

The important stuff to me is her great successes, her long-lasting career, everlasting charisma, and enduring charm. <3

[AyuGAME]

she use little makeup, but she looks young...
how old is she? 40?

[Zemus]

I agree with everything you said again, Kaiou. He even got the Akina Nakamori suicide attempt year wrong. It was huge so that alone shows how much "knowlegde" the author had. Although some information provided was new to me. For example, I wasn't aware that her father opposed the Sun Music audition that strongly.

Totally off topic, but Seiko's daughter Sayaka has finally dyed her hair black again. Wasn't too fond of the blond/brown color she has had ever since May this year.

Originally Posted by AyuGAME

how old is she? 40?

Not quite that young. Remember that she has been in the entertainment business since late 70s. She was born on 1962/03/10 which makes her age 47.

[AyuGAME]

47?!?!?! she looks like 35..amazing...drinking collagen is really working...
wow that sayaka? long time not hearing about her, i really like her song...is she not coming back to entertainment world?

[Zemus]

Sayaka is still doing entertainment. Mostly only on stage acting though, musicals and theater plays. I don't think she will return to singing anytime soon. Her career was temporarily "suspended" back in 2005 because of disagreements with her mother about her personal life.

Peter Pan musical one month ago:
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/entertainme...090708et08.htm
http://www.sanspo.com/geino/news/090...0538000-n1.htm

At the end of the year she will appear in another musical called "She Loves Me".

[AyuGAME]

^thanks for the info
i really want her to release new song again...but looks like she has better thing to do beside singing

[Zemus]

Only one week to go for the new CM release. Apart from new music I hope they will announce the release date of the 2009 concert tour DVD soon. Last year the tour ended on 8/3 and DVD was out on 10/22. Should be out around the same time this year as well I assume. Meanwhile, let's check out the following video. It's a performance of 風立ちぬ (Kaze Tachinu) on "The Best Ten" 1981/10/29, english subtitles and talk included:



It's such an angelic and wonderful song. Seiko-chan !

Originally Posted by AyuGAME

i really want her to release new song again...but looks like she has better thing to do beside singing

Yeah, she is quite busy. I'm not sure whether she even has the interest to start singing again or not. She will let her mother do that job. Seriously, though, I do enjoy to listen to her "Doll" album, especially the single tracks. Wouldn't mind a new song at all at some point in the future .

Seiko and Sayaka are probably the most interesting mother and daughter relationship in the Japanese entertainment business. I just love it when they appear on the same show. During Seiko's new year Count Down Live Party 2008-2009 concert they sang 赤いスイートピー (Akai Sweet Pea) together. It was very very sweet.

[Zemus]

Hah, SONY couldn't let her switch labels without releasing tons of already released stuff first it seems. Another best album coming up. 30th Anniversary is their excuse I guess. Still a bit lame . It's lame because she already has two best albums with the same theme. Although those were released a long time ago; "Kiniro no Ribbon CD1 - Blue Christmas" (1982.12.05) and "Christmas Tree" (1991.11.21).

Seiko Matsuda Christmas Songs

Release: 2009.11.11
Tracklist: Not yet confimed!
The following are guaranteed to be included:
クリスマスの夜 (Christmas no Yoru)
Pearl-White Eve
恋人がサンタクロース (Koibito ga Santa Claus)

http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=SRCL-7139
http://www.hmv.co.jp/product/detail.asp?sku=3663265

Rememeber that these are from SONY. Seiko switched to Unversal this June so if she is going to release new music it has to be from them.

[Yoake]

thansk for the video with subtitle.
It's a really nice song *.*


O.O why sony continues to release Seiko's stuff if she switched to universal?