Pop Japan

Last September, ONE OK ROCK, one of Japan’s most electrifying bands of today, conquered around 110,000 people, in what is considered their biggest concert so far, in Nagisaen, Shizuoka prefecture. Takahiro, the band’s vocalist, surely, is a proud Moriuchi.

The second of the brothers, Tomohiro, is currently working in a TV station in Japan.

His younger brother, Hiroki, is also a vocalist of his own band named My First Story. Their parents, Shinichi Mori and Masako Mori, are also famous singers in the Japanese Enka or ballad stage.

So what do they have in common? It probably is their signature high voice that has been passed down to the members of the family. But how high, really, is this signature Moriuchi voice?

Shinichi Mori

Born as Kazuhiro Moriuchi, the head of the Mori family boasts of his unique Rod Stewart-like voice. This high raspy voice was what jumpstarted his career when he won the competition, Rizumu Utagassen (Rhythm Song Battle), in Fuji TV in 1965.

Since then, this hoarse voice had been bringing music awards under his name, including the Nippon Broadcasting Excellence Award for a Male singer for 4 separate years.

The unique sound of his voice was also what captured the heart of his balladeer wife, another Enka singer, Masako Mori.

Masako Mori

Last July 1, Masako Mori celebrated her 45th anniversary in the industry with the release of the album entitled “Hundred years of Love.”

Japan first heard her significantly high and soothing voice in 1971, in Nippon Television’s A Star is Born singing competition. She championed the event at an early age of 13. In 1977, she became part of the girl group, Hana no Takai (Flower of High), before starting her career in Enka.

In 1986, she married Shinichi Mori and two years after, their first child was born.

Takahiro Moriuchi

Resembling the looks and the voice of his mother, Takahiro Moriuchi, or more popularly known as Taka, is now making a name in the international music industry with his band, ONE OK ROCK. After their first-ever US release in 2015, under Warner Music, the band is now preparing for a new album set to be up by 2017.

Their latest single, Taking Off is the official theme song of the Japanese movie, Museum. The film is directed by Keishi Otomo, the same director with whom the band had a collaboration for the three Rurouni Kenshin movies.

His cover of the Adele hit Hello has been trending since it has been published on Youtube on June.

Hiroki Moriuchi

The youngest of the three Moriuchi brothers, Hiroki is currently proving the world that he is more than just the shadow of his family.

Like Taka, in 2002, he also started his singing career with the agency Johnny & Associates, which specializes in pop idol groups.

In 2011, following the footsteps of his brother, he had his own rock band named My First Story. In 2014, their single Fukagyaku Replace was used as an ending theme song in the historical anime, Nobunaga Concerto.

Last June, they released their fourth album entitled Antithese. They will be performing in Taiwan on October 29 for their We’re Just Waiting 4 You tour. On November 18, they will be ending the tour in Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, which will be their first ever concert in the famous concert arena, on November 18.

The Moriuchi voice has proved its prowess. Even though Shinichi and Masako have long retired from the industry, the two brothers are here to continue the legacy, not only in Japan but also internationally.