Haruomi Hosono made his debut in 1969 with the band April Fools. The 55th anniversary project, "HOSONO MANDALA," aims to share the path and ongoing activities of Hosono, who has continued to rewrite Japanese music history. This fall, the digital museum, "HOSONO MANDALA," tracing the career of Haruomi Hosono, is scheduled to open to the public. The first part of the project, a special exhibition titled "Hosono-san and Haruomi-kun," will be held from May 31st at the LifeSnyder Hall at Rikkyo University, Hosono's alma mater.  

Courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment
"Hosono-san and Haruomi-kun" features the past Haruomi-kun and the present Hosono-san. This exhibition transcends time and space, as they discuss their lifelong loves of music, movies, manga, and more. Through the composition of the exhibition, where Hosono-san's words are added one by one to the notebook doodles that Haruomi-san passionately drew in the past, visitors will be reminded of the surprising yet familiar events that have led to childhood favorites that continue to provide fresh discoveries even as adults. There will also be a mysterious installation where visitors can hear Hosono Haruomi's singing voice through the exhibits, as if listening carefully to a distant memory. In addition, songs by Ox Drivers, the folk band he was active in during his high school days, will be performed for the first time in the world.

Courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment

Courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment

Courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment

Hosono viewing the exhibition/Courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment


The venue is being managed by Haruka Misawa of the Misawa Design Laboratory at the Nippon Design Center. A booklet of the same name, "Hosono-san and Haruomi-kun," which compiles the exhibition into a single volume, will also be on sale at the venue.

Courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment

Courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment
Haruomi Hosono
Born in Tokyo in 1947. Musician. Debuted in 1969 with "April Fool's Day". Formed "Happy End" in 1970. He began his solo career in 1973, while also performing as a member of "Tin Pan Alley." In 1978, he formed "Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO)," and worked in the music industry as a producer and label president. After YMO disbanded, he explored world music, ambient music, and electronica, and was active in a wide range of fields, including composing, producing, and film music.






*Updated June 4 (images added)