Jun Tanaka
AliasGentouki
Birth dateJanuary 12, 1977 (age 49)
Birth placeHimeji, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan
GenreJ-pop, Rock,
Alternative, Bossa,
Jazz, R&B, Urban
OccupationMusician, songwriter, singer, composer, arranger
music producer
InstrumentVocals, guitar, keyboards
Years active1995–present
LabelVictor Entertainment
WebsiteGentouki Official Web Site

Gentouki (ゲントウキ) is a Japanese band and solo performing name of singer-songwriter and producer Jun Tanaka. Gentouki has released 6 major singles and 5 major albums in the band's history.
Most recent album Tanjoubi was released on September 21, 2016.[1]

Members

Jun Tanaka (田中潤) is the founder, vocalist and songwriter of Gentouki. Tanaka continues Gentouki as a solo project with live support members.

Past members

  • Mori Takashi (森敬)
From Okayama prefecture. Bassist. (1995–2001)
  • Hiroyuki Yoshida (吉田裕之)
From Nara prefecture. Drummer. (1995–2000)
  • Kenta Itou (伊藤健太)
From Hirakata, Osaka prefecture
Nicknamed Itoken. Bassist. (Official member 2001–2006)
  • Kyosuke Sasai (笹井 享介)
From Nagano Prefecture. Drummer. (Live support 2000–2002. Official member 2002–2006)

Support members

  • Kenta Itou (伊藤健太) (ex Gentouki)
Bassist. (Live support 2008 – )
From Kawanishi, Hyōgo Prefecture. Drummer.
  • Daisuke Shimaoka (嶌岡大祐) (ex SG Honeoka)
From Osaka prefecture. Piano.
  • NELO (ネロ) (THE ORANGES)
From Tokyo prefecture. Guitar.

History

Early life

Jun Tanaka grew up with the influence of music his parents listened to, such as American pop music from A&M Records, The Beatles and classic Japanese pop and folk music.
He is deeply influenced by Brazilian artists including Elis Regina, Joyce Moreno, Doris Monteiro, Tom Jobim, and João Gilberto.

Gentouki formation (1995–2000)

The band formed in Osaka 1995 under the name 'Everyday Flowers' and eventually changed the band name to Gentouki, meaning magic lantern after manga artist Oji Suzuki's Toumei Tsuushin.[2]
Tanaka was attending university at the time and enlisted Hiroyuki Yoshida on drums and Takashi Mori on bass, with Jun Tanaka on vocals, guitar and keyboard. After a number of live shows, Gentouki completed a 6-song cassette demo tape.[3]

Indies debut (2000–2003)

The band made their indies debut at the label CHILDISH SOUP with the mini-album Omae no Ashiato. During this time, the band attracted interest from musicians like Keiichi Sokabe and Yoshihiko Inohara. Gentouki was considered a rival band of Kirinji. They performed at the Udagawa-cho Rock Festival and venues across Tokyo. In 2001, the band would release their first single Haikara. and album Minami no Hankyuu.through DAIZAWA RECORDS, with member Kenta Itou joining on bass, and officially becoming a 2-man band. After moving from Osaka to Tokyo in 2002, Gentouki recorded the cover of Aoi Kuruma for Spitz tribute album Ichigo Ichie Sweets for my SPITZ. Support drummer Kyosuke Sasai would also become the third official member in November 2002. Illustrations of the band's work during this period was done by a mutual close friend.

Major debut (2003–2006)

Gentouki had their major debut in February 2003 with the single Niibiro no Kisetsu released through label Teenage Symphony. This song was featured in heavy rotation broadcasts on FM802. September 2003 saw the release of first major album Itsumo no You ni.

On April 15, 2005, Gentouki performed their single Hajimari no Kisetsu on NHK PopJam (1993–2007) which has since become with Music Japan. 2 months later, the single Tsuioku no Rainy Day was released and was featured as the song for the Tsuioku no Rainy Road campaign, which led to an in-store live tour, and heralded the release of second major album Kanjou no Tamago in August 2005. 2006 started off with the release of mini album Romen Densha to Cheese Cake which was themed after Matsumushi street in Nishinari, Osaka, where Tanaka lived in his early twenties. The album was featured on heavy rotation in famous cheese cake shops around Osaka.[4]

Dissolution and solo (2006–2016)

In December 2006, Itou and Sasai left the band over irreconcilable differences of the band's direction. This led Tanaka to continue the band as a solo project. Gentouki went on to release a best-of album titled Gentou Meisaku Gekijou in February 2007. From 2008, Tanaka started activity as a producer and arranger for popular artists like SMAP, May J., Koda Kumi, Satomi Takasugi and others. Tanaka has continued to perform live shows under the Gentouki moniker with ex bassist Itou has rejoined Gentouki as a live support member, as well as drummer Nobuyuki Mori, a founding member of legendary band Quruli fame.[5]

Comeback (2016–)

Gentouki provided the commercial song for retailer Marui's Sparkling Sale campaign for Winter 2016.[6] In Spring 2016, Tanaka announced that Gentouki would be releasing a new major album under Victor Entertainment with the album Tanjoubi released September 21, 2016.[7] This launched Gentouki's bilingual efforts, as the album features English translations of the song lyrics, as well as providing English on the official homepage and social media posts.

Yusuke Nakamura involvement

The 2003 Niibiro no Kisetsu single and Itsumo no You ni releases marked the involvement of illustrator Yusuke Nakamura.
Being a big fan of Gentouki and being impressed by their live performance, Nakamura personally requested the band to let him do illustrations for their CDs.[8] This resulted in Nakamura's first professional illustration job, illustrating the artwork of 2003 single Nibiiro no kisetsu. Illustrator Yusuke Nakamura is still closely related to Gentouki and has provided most of their CD artwork. Nakamura continues to be a close friend of Tanaka and has provided the artwork for Gentouki's newest album Tanjoubi in 2016.[9]

Discography

Singles

 Release dateTitleCatalogTracklistingNotes
1stJuly 26, 2001HaikaraUKDZ-5005
  1. Haikara
  2. Minami Hankyuu
  3. Nanairo Hikouki (Bonus track)
Released on DAIZAWA RECORDS
2ndFebruary 19, 2003Nibiiro no KisetsuMUCT-5001
  1. Nibiiro no Kisetsu
  2. Namida ga Kareru Made
  3. Ameagari no Asa
Teenage Symphony / DREAMUSIC
3rdJune 18, 2003Sutekina, Ano Hito.MUCT-5002
  1. Sutekina, Ano Hito.
  2. Natsu no Omoide
Teenage Symphony / DREAMUSIC
4thFebruary 18, 2004Mitasarete Kokoro waMUCT-5005
  1. Mitasarete Kokoro wa
  2. Michinari
  3. Minami Hankyuu (Live)
Teenage Symphony / DREAMUSIC
5thNovember 10, 2004Saraba!MUCT-5010
  1. Saraba!
  2. Oboetate no Melody
  3. Jackle no Yoru
Teenage Symphony
6thApril 6, 2005Hajimari no KisetsuMUCT-5013
  1. Hajimari no Kisetsu
  2. Monochrome Smile
  3. Yume no Kakera
Teenage Symphony
7thJune 22, 2005Tsuioku no Rainy DayMUCT-5015
  1. Tsuioku no Rainy Day
  2. Kikoenai Real
Teenage Symphony

Albums

 Release dateTitleCatalogTrack listingNotes
1st Mini AlbumOctober 1, 2000Omae no AshiatoCSCD-08
  1. Douka Omoidashite
  2. Omae no Ashiato
  3. Kyoujitsu
  4. Café au lait
  5. Futari no Seikatsu
Released on CHILDISH SOUP
1st AlbumOctober 26, 2001Minami HankyuuUKDZ-0006
  1. Nanairo no Hikouki
  2. Haikara
  3. Bonyari Yume
  4. Hinatabokko
  5. Narenai Sakamichi
  6. Hakken
  7. Clover
  8. Koe wa Kakezu ni
  9. Minami Hankyuu
  10. Tooku e
Released on DAIZAWA RECORDS
2nd AlbumSeptember 25, 2003Itsumo no You niMUCT-1006
  1. Ameagari no Asa (album version)
  2. Sutekina, Ano Hito
  3. Giragira Taiyou wo Se ni
  4. Futari no Curry Rice
  5. Namida ga Kareru Made (album version)
  6. Mitasarete Kokoro wa
  7. Kimi ga Warau Toki
  8. Heya
  9. Arifureta Mirai e
  10. Natsu no Omoide
  11. Kairiki otoko no Jidai
  12. Nibiiro no Kisetsu
TEENAGE SYMPHONY
3rd AlbumAugust 3, 2005Kanjou no TamagoMUCT-1014
  1. Neko no Akubi
  2. Top News
  3. Monochrome Smile
  4. Saraba!
  5. Tsuioku no Rainy Day
  6. Makeup
  7. Oboetate no Melody
  8. Hajimari no Kisetsu
  9. Kanjou no Tamago
  10. Yume no Kakera
Teenage Symphony
2nd Mini AlbumMarch 1, 2006Romen Densha to CheesecakeMUCT-1016
  1. Matsumushi Koushin Kyoku
  2. Ichimokusan
  3. 1.7m
  4. Movie Star
  5. Muchuujin
  6. Amechan, Hitotsu
Teenage Symphony
Best AlbumFebruary 28, 2007Gentou Meisaku GekijouMUCT-8001:Limited Edition
MUCT-1018:Standard

CD

  1. Sutekina, Ano Hito.
  2. Ichimokusan
  3. Top News
  4. Tsuioku no Rainy Day
  5. Mitasarete Kokoro wa
  6. Saraba!
  7. Gougai to Scramble Kousaten
  8. Aoi Kuruma
  9. Movie Star
  10. Michinari
  11. Nibiiro no Kisetsu
  12. Natsu no Omoide(Nouryou version)
  13. Jackal no Yoru
  14. Kikoenai Real
  15. Abeno-music Abeno-life
  16. Hajimari no Kisetsu

Limited edition DVD music videos

  1. Nibiiro no Kisetsu
  2. Sutekina, Ano Hito.
  3. Mitasarete Kokoro wa
  4. Saraba!
  5. Hajimari no Kisetsu
  6. Tsuioku no Rainy Day
  7. Ichimokusan
Teenage Symphony
5th AlbumSeptember 21, 2016TanjoubiMUCT-1014
  1. Tanjoubi (Birth Day)
  2. Gomannen Survivor (50-Thousand Year Survivor)
  3. Kamome no Kimochi (A Seagull's Heart)
  4. Bye-Bye
  5. Ai no Sabaku (Desert of Love)
  6. Softcream to Skirt no Kinenbi (Anniversary of Ice Cream and a Skirt)
  7. Algorithm
  8. Busy Days
  9. Sutekina, Ano Hito (Bonus track acoustic version) (That Wonderful Person)
Victor Entertainment

Unreleased

Untitled 6 song demo tape from 1995

Compilation

Release dateTitleCatalogTracklistingNotes
July 25, 2001STYLUS#1CCJ-0001Omae no AshiatoCollege Chart Japan
March 20, 2002Smells Like Teenage SymphonyMUCT-1001Hinatabokko〜(Shitunaigaku version)DREAMUSIC
October 17, 2002Ichigo Ichie Sweets for my SPITZMUCT-1003Aoi KurumaDREAMUSIC
July 30, 2003The Many Moods of Smiley SmileMUCT-1004Natsu no OmoideTeenage Symphony
October 7, 2007TOKYO BOSSA NOVA 〜vento〜HRBD-001Softcream to Skirt no KinenbiHappiness Records
November 12, 2008TOKYO CITY POPsHRBD-010AmebaHappiness Records

Produced Works

  • Satomi Takasugi "hand"（Composer） – From album MASCARA released May 26, 2010
  • Lay "Kono Ai de Aru You ni"（Composer） – From single Kono Ai de Aru You ni released June 2, 2010
Ending song of Japanese-Korean movie Cholula no Shi
  • SMAP "Mijikai Kami"（Composer） – From album We are SMAP! released July 21, 2010
  • Miyazaki Kaoru "Bye-Bye," "Gimme Your Love"（Composer, lyricist, Arranger) From album 9 STORIES released October 10, 2012
  • May J. "Eternally"（Composer, Arranger – From album Brave released December 5, 2012
  • Asako Toki "Girls (You are so special)"（Composer・Co-Arranger – From album HEARTBREAKIN' released June 12, 2013

Produced and Arranged Work

  • Masaki Shigaki
Album Hummingmoon from August 2, 2008. Produced Track 1 "this song", track 9 "Tenkininaare", Track 11 Tsuki no Michi de Aimashou.
Performed organ on track 4 "Natsu no Odoriko", guitar and tambourine on track 6 "Sully"
  • Miki Taramae
Single "Heartbeat" released June 10, 2009
Arranger, Instrumental programming, acoustic guitar
  • Koda Kumi "I Love you, SAYONARA"（Arranger） – Cover album "ETERNITY 〜Love & Songs〜" released October 13, 2010
  • moumoon "Happy Unbirthday"（Arranger） – From album 15 Doors released March 2, 2011
  • Jonathan Wong "Boku ga Iru"（Arranger） – From single Kimi wa Bara yoru Utsukushii released June 5, 2011
  • Tomoko Tane
Album Uh Baby Baby from October 26, 2011
Sang chorus, keyboard and programming on track 4 "Warattete", keyboards and programming on track 7 "Tokyo wa Nukeru Youna Aozora ~Happy Birthday~"
  • May J. "Shiroi Kuma no You ni"（Arranger） – From cover album Summer Ballad Covers released June 19, 2013

Soundtracks

  • Movie Long Caravan(October 2009)
Made title song Long Caravan for EXILE MATSU.

Music videos

DirectorSong
Gen AsadaSaraba! (2004)
Masao KimuraIchimokusan (2006)
Yutaka KimuraSutekina, Ano Hito|Nibiiro no Kisetsu (2003)
Tetsuji KuramitsuMitasarete Kokoro wa (2004)
Satoshi TakakiTsuioku no Rainy Day (2005)
Ryota BabaTanjoubi (2016)

Performances

  • April 12, 2002 – SPACE SHOWER Retsuden 13 ~Sachiyu (Happy End no Utage~
  • October 20, 2002– MINAMI WHEEL 2002
  • October 18, 2003– MINAMI WHEEL 2003
  • October 24, 2004– MINAMI WHEEL 2004
  • September 17, 2005– RADIO BERRY Berry Ten Live 2005
  • October 11, 2014– BEATRAM MUSIC FESTIVAL 2014
  • December 4, 2014– Gentouki One-Man Live "Tokyo Matsumushidori~2014nen Muchuu no Tabi~"

References

  1. ^ "ゲントウキ「誕生日」MV公開＆アルバム特設サイトにKIRINJI、江口寿史らコメント"
  2. ^ "ブログ 幻燈雑記 | ゲントウキ". Archived from the original on April 2, 2016. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
  3. ^ "ゲントウキのライブなど・・"
  4. ^ Inc., Japan Music Network (March 8, 2006). "ゲントウキ、地元大阪をテーマにミニアルバム発表。おかげで間違えられて…!?"
  5. ^ "森信行 (@momomomokkun) – Twitter"
  6. ^ "マルイ". - marui website.
  7. ^ "ゲントウキ｜誕生日"
  8. ^ "誕生日に御乱心。 : 中村佑介 公式ブログ". 中村佑介 公式ブログ
  9. ^ "ゲントウキ「誕生日」 – VICL-64642 – 4988002722297". billboard-japan.com.