Sakurashimeji

Overview

Sakurashimeji is a Japanese folk and guitar duo formed in 2014, made up of Gaku Tanaka and Hyoga Takada. They belong to EBiDAN, the young male talent group of Stardust Promotion, and release through the SDR label. Their music is meant to stay beside listeners in both sunny ("sakura") and shady ("shimeji") moods, like a gentle breeze or a tailwind. In recent years they have written their own lyrics and music, with down-to-earth words and melodies. Since their debut, Emi Fukumoto has designed their image character, CD jackets and merchandise. Fans are called "Kinokorian," a name the two members chose. On August 23, 2024, they changed their name from "さくらしめじ" to "Sakurashimeji."

Career

Formation and debut (2014-2015)

The duo formed on June 14, 2014, as "Gaku & Hyoga" during an audition segment on TOKYO MX's "EBiDAN," where both happened to bring the same guitar. They were the first guitar duo selected from EBiDAN39&KiDS. They held their first street live at Omiya Archet in August, and on November 24, 2014, at "Seiodansai 2014," the name Sakurashimeji and the venue-limited first single "Ikujinashi / Kinou no Yume" were announced as a surprise. It went on nationwide sale on March 11, 2015, followed by the second single "Kimi deshita / Sekigae no Kamisama" in June. In July they began a free live tour of all 47 prefectures, and held their first solo concert on December 29.

Growth (2016-2019)

They released the third single "Hajimaru Kisetsu / Thank You" and fourth single "Hidarimune" in 2016. In 2017 came their first mini album "Sakura Mejji" and the fifth single "Ayama Rhythm" (ending theme of TBS's Tomica Hyper Rescue Drive Head). Their first album "Harushimeji" followed in April 2018, along with the EP "Uta wa Tsuzuku yo Dokomademo" in November and a tour final at Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall. In 2019 they held three consecutive two-man shows at Shibuya www with Koresawa, Masayoshi Oishi and Cidergirl, and Tanaka starred in the stage play "PINK." Fifth-anniversary projects included a nationwide 18-date tour and a live album, and "Aikotoba" became an ending theme for TV Tokyo's "Socrates no Tameiki."

2020-2022

Their second album "Aratamete, Sakurashimeji to Moushimasu." arrived in March 2020, along with a high-school graduation book. During the pandemic they held streamed lives, including one performed aboard a moving bus. In May they formed the unit "S.O.S! sound of smile!" with M!LK and SUPER★DRAGON, releasing "Kaze ga Fuku." In 2021, "Stories" became the ending theme of the drama "Takane no Hana-san," the album "Button" followed in March, and they performed at Nakano Sunplaza in a show with theatrical parts written by Tanaka, then at Zepp DiverCity. In 2022 they ran bimonthly shows in Shibuya through March 2023, and "simple" became the theme of "Takane no Hana-san 2."

2024 onward

The live album "Sakurashimeji Sakura TOUR 2023 FINAL <Shimetan>" was released on June 7, 2024. Singles that year included "Ikiru yo" (April), "Daisuki datta Ano Ko wo Kirai ni Natte" (May), "Ashita wo" (August 23, the day of the name change), "Sakurashimeji Classics Vol.1" (October) and "Itsuka Sayonara" (November). In 2025 they released "Laundry" (March), "Haru ga Natta" (April), "Sakurashimeji Classics Vol.2" (June), "Garakuta" (October) and the album "Utau Koto, Utau Koto" (October 22). Listed for 2026 are "Koiharu Biyori" (January), "Howling" (April), "Stamp" (July) and "Anata no Koe ni Naretara" (October).

Musical style

Built around acoustic guitar, their folk sound aims to be a gentle breeze and a supportive tailwind. Recently they have centered on self-written songs, and Tanaka began DTM production in 2020. They also stand out for acoustic self-covers, shows alternating band and solo-acoustic formats, and performances that incorporate theatre.