Tokyo Jihen (東京事変, Tōkyō Jihen), also known as Tokyo Incidents, is a Japanese rock band formed in 2003 by singer-songwriter Ringo Sheena after she temporarily halted her solo career. The band is known for blending experimental rock with jazz, funk, pop, and acid jazz elements, and has sold over 2.3 million albums, singles, and DVDs.
History
Origins (2003)
Tokyo Jihen began as Ringo Sheena's backing band for her final solo tour, "Sugoroku Ecstasy," in autumn 2003. The touring band featured guitarist Mikio Hirama, keyboardist H Zett M, drummer Toshiki Hata, and bassist Seiji Kameda. After the tour, Sheena announced she would cease solo activities and join the group as a full member.
Phase 1 (2004–2005)
The band officially formed as a permanent unit on May 31, 2004. They made their major debut with the single "Gunjō Biyori" on September 8, 2004, and released their first album, Kyōiku, later that year. In July 2005, keyboardist H Zett M and guitarist Mikio Hirama left the band. They were replaced by Ichiyō Izawa (keyboards) and Ukigumo (guitar), forming what fans call "Phase 2."
Phase 2 (2006–2012)
The second album, Adult (2006), became the band's first to reach number one on the Oricon charts. Subsequent albums included Variety (2007), Sports (2010), and Dai Hakken (2011). On January 11, 2012, the band announced its dissolution, which took effect after a final concert at Nippon Budokan on February 29, 2012.
Reunion (2019–present)
On January 1, 2020, Tokyo Jihen released a surprise digital single, "Erabarezaru Kokumin," and announced a reunion tour. Their sixth studio album, Ongaku (音楽, "Music"), was released on June 9, 2021.
Members
Current members
- Ringo Sheena (椎名 林檎) – lead vocals, guitars, keyboards, piano
- Seiji Kameda (亀田 誠治) – bass guitar, upright bass
- Toshiki Hata (刄田 綴色) – drums, percussion
- Ukigumo (浮雲, "The Drifting Cloud") – guitars, backing vocals, rap (joined 2005)
- Ichiyō Izawa (伊澤 一葉) – keyboards, guitars, piano, backing vocals (joined 2005)
Former members
- H Zett M (H是都M) – keyboards, piano, backing vocals (2003–2005)
- Mikio Hirama (晝海 幹音) – guitars, backing vocals (2003–2005)
Musical style and songwriting
Tokyo Jihen's music is characterized by sophisticated arrangements and genre-blending, incorporating experimental rock, avant-pop, and acid jazz. The members employ diverse songwriting methods: Sheena and Izawa use musical notation, Kameda uses humming or computer-based recording, and Ukigumo—who cannot write notation—has his melodies transcribed by other members.
Discography (studio albums)
- Kyōiku (教育, 2004)
- Adult (大人, 2006)
- Variety (2007)
- Sports (スポーツ, 2010)
- Dai Hakken (大発見, 2011)
- Ongaku (音楽, 2021)
External links
- Official website (in Japanese)
