Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi

Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi (うしろゆびさされ組) was a female Japanese pop music duo consisting of Yukiko Iwai and Mamiko Takai, formed in 1985.[1][2][3] In parallel to their membership in this duo, Iwai and Takai were at the same time members of Onyanko Club, a large pop group widely seen as a precursor to groups such as Morning Musume and AKB48. Onyanko Club sang back-up vocals on some of the songs released by Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi.[3] They are most notable for singing several of the theme songs for the anime television series High School! Kimengumi.[1][4] Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi debuted on Yūyake Nyan Nyan("Sunset Meow Meow") (夕やけニャンニャン) on 30 September 1985. Throughout their short-lived career, the group released six singles, three albums, a promotion video, and two photo books (in addition to the Kimengumi soundtrack albums). [1][5] The group disbanded after Takai's graduation from Onyanko Club on 5 April 1987.[1][6][7]

Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi
OriginJapan
GenresPop
Years active1985 (1985)–1987 (1987)
Past membersYukiko Iwai
Mamiko Takai

History

At first, this subgroup was called Kiwi Gumi (キウイ組, Kiui Gumi).[2][8] They printed 30,000 record jackets for their debut song under this name, but the name was hastily changed to Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi due to a change of heart on the part of Kazuji Kasai, chief director of Yūyake Nyan Nyan, supervisor of Onyanko Club.[2][8] According to Kasai, the reason Takai and Iwai were selected was because they resembled the heroines in the anime "High School Kimengumi".[8] On the other hand, it is said that it was simply because they were going in the same direction to return home.[1] They often took a cab home together after appearing on Yūyake Nyan Nyan.[7]

The subgroup had a somewhat unusual appearance, due to the difference in height between Iwai and Takai.[3][4] Takai was the taller one of the two, with a height of about 5' 2'' (about 157.5 cm), while Iwai barely reached 4' 11'' (about 150 cm), [9][10] so the height difference was remarkable.[3][4] The contrast between Takai, who is reputed to be one of the most popular and beautiful girls in Onyanko Club, and Iwai, who is said to be a cute character like those in Anime, was also a topic of conversation.[1] The debut song, released in October 1985, with the same title as the subgroup's name, was No. 5 on the Oricon chart. However, the five singles subsequently released all reached No. 1.[1] They also released feature-length promotional video titled Magical Ushiroyubi Tour (マジカルうしろゆびツアー, Majikaru ushiroyubi Tsuā), filmed in Brazil.[7]

In April 1987, Takai graduated from Onyanko Club, and Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi also disbanded.[1][7] On this occasion, they both said that it was a very pleasant memory and that they loved this subgroup.[7] On the other hand, It is said that Takai and Iwai did not get along well.[11][12] Kasai claimed that although they had differences in orientation, they were not as incompatible as thought.[11] however, Iwai herself subsequently admitted on a TV program that she and Takai did not get along well.[12]

Discography

Singles

All singles were released as EP singles.

  • Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi (うしろゆびさされ組) / A School Girl's Decision (女学生の決意, Jogakusei no Ketsui)
    (5 October 1985, 7A0525, Canyon)
  • Banana Tears (バナナの涙, Banana no Namida) / Abunai Sa•Ka•Na (あぶないサ・カ・ナ)
    (21 January 1986, 7A0550, Canyon)
  • Mr. Elephant's Scanty (象さんのすきゃんてぃ, Zō-san no Sukyanti) / Nekojita Kokoro mo Koi no Uchi (猫舌こころも恋のうち)
    (2 May 1986, 7A0577, Canyon)
  • Nagisa no "......" (渚の『・・・・・』, Nagisa no Kagikakko) / Not Only ★ But Also (のっとおんりぃ★ばっとおるそう, Notto Onri Batto Orusō)
    (27 August 1986, 7A0628, Canyon)
  • Waza Ari! (技ありっ!) / I'm Puzzling (わたしは知恵の輪, Watashi wa Pazuringu)
    (23 November 1986, 7A0666, Canyon)
  • Kashiko (かしこ) / Beating Pythagoras (ピタゴラスをぶっとばせ, Pitagorasu o Buttobase)
    (21 February 1987, 7A0686, Canyon)

Sources:[13][14][15][16]

Albums
  • Fuwafura (ふ・わ・ふ・ら)
    (5 June 1986, C28A0495 (LP), 28P6545 (cassette), D32A0189 (CD), Canyon)
  • An Balancing Toy (AN bALANCING TOY, An Baranshingu Toi)
    (15 December 1986, C28A0536 (LP), 28P6612 (cassette), D32A0248 (CD), Canyon)
  • Unlimited (∞, Anrimiteddo)
    (5 June 1986, C28A0555 (LP), ? (cassette), D32A0276 (CD), Canyon)

Sources:[14][15][17]

Collection albums
  • My Collection: Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi Best (MY これ！クション　うしろゆびさされ組BEST, Mai Kore!kushon: Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi Besuto)
    (5 December 2001, Pony Canyon)
  • Our Best: Ushiroyubi Encyclopedia Package 1: Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi (ぼくらのベスト うしろゆび大百科 package1 うしろゆびさされ組, Bokura no Besuto: Ushiroyubi Daihyakka Pakeiji Wan: Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi)
    (19 May 2004, PCCA-02036 (CD + DVD of Magical Ushiroyubi Tour), Pony Canyon)

Sources:[18][19]

Kimengumi albums

The High School! Kimengumi soundtrack albums were produced jointly for the anime with Onyanko Club, Musukko Club, and Ushirogami Hikaretai

  • High School! Kimengumi Music Collection (ハイスクール！奇面組　音楽組, Haisukūru! Kimengumi Ongakugumi)
    (21 February 1986, C25G0411 (LP), Canyon)
  • High School! Kimengumi Music Collection 2 (ハイスクール！奇面組　音楽組2, Haisukūru! Kimengumi Ongakugumi Tsū)
    (21 July 1986, D30G-0034 (CD), Canyon)
  • High School! Kimengumi Original Theme Song Collection (ハイスクール！奇面組　オリジナルテーマ・ソング組, Haisukūru! Kimengumi Orijinaru Tēma Songu Gumi)
    (21 October 1987, D32G0067 (CD), Pony Canyon)
  • High School! Kimengumi Theme Song Collection Plus (ハイスクール！奇面組　テーマ・ソング組＋, Haisukūru! Kimengumi Tēma Songu Gumi Purasu)
    (17 March 1999, PCCG-00489 (CD), Pony Canyon)

Videography
  • マジカルうしろゆびツアー [Magical Ushiroyubi Tour] (Videotape) (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: Pony Canyon. 1987-03-29. ASIN B01N141LVQ.

Further reading
  • Watanabe, Tatsuo (October 30, 1986). とっておきたいとっておき [Our favorite things to keep] (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: Fuji Television. ISBN 978-4893531124.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  • Saitō, Kiyotaka (March 30, 1987). 南回帰線 [Tropic of Capricorn] (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: Fuji Television. ISBN 978-4893531322.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)

Sources:[18][20]

Voice acting

References
  1. Ino 2003, p. 52-53
  2. "30年前の本日7月7日、おニャン子クラブの高井麻巳子のソロ・デビュー曲「シンデレラたちへの伝言」がチャート1位を獲得" [Thirty years ago on July 7, Mamiko Takai of Onyanko Club's solo debut song " Message to Cinderellas" reached No. 1 on the charts]. Nippon Broadcasting System (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan. 2016-07-07. Retrieved 2022-05-31.
  3. "Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi". Encyclopedia Idollica. Archived from the original on 2008-06-12. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  4. "うしろゆびさされ組 - アーティスト情報". Yahoo!ミュージック. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  5. Iwakiri 1987, p. 66-81
  6. Iwakiri 1987, p. 141
  7. Akasaka, Shigeru, ed. (1987-05-01). "サンバで"かしこ"申し上げます". DUNK (DUNK) (in Japanese). No. March 1987. Tokyo, Japan: Shūeisha. p. 16-17.
  8. Kasai & Akimoto 1986, p. 149
  9. Ino 2003, p. 37-39
  10. Yasui, Makoto, ed. (1987-10-01). "おニャン子クラブパーフェクトbook" [Onyanko Club Perfect Book]. BOMB (BOMB) (in Japanese). No. October 1987. Tokyo, Japan: Gakken. pp. 106–108.
  11. Iwakiri 1987, p. 43
  12. "高井麻巳子、斉藤由貴は親友？ゆうゆとは不仲だった？あと不仲だったメンバーはだれ？" [Is Makiko Takai a close friend of Yuki Saitō?　Did she not get along with Yūyu? Who are the other members she didn't get along with?] (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: Byron-bay. 2020-06-01. Retrieved 2022-05-20.
  13. "Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi Singles". Encyclopedia Idollica. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  14. "Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi Disco Graphy" (in Japanese). Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  15. うしろゆびさされ組 - 作品情報 (in Japanese). Yahoo!ミュージック. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  16. うしろゆびさされ組 (in Japanese). pop trip. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  17. "Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi Albums". Encyclopedia Idollica. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  18. "MY これ！クション うしろゆびさされ組BEST". Panic the WWW. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  19. "85-87 ぼくらのベスト うしろゆび大百科 package1 うしろゆびさされ組". Yahoo!ミュージック. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  20. "Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi Videos". Encyclopedia Idollica. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  • Kasai, Kazuji; Akimoto, Yasushi (July 3, 1986). あぶな～いおニャン子 [Dangerous Onyanko Club] (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: Fusosha Publishing. ISBN 4-89353-097-6.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  • Iwakiri, Jun, ed. (August 24, 1987). おニャン子白書 [The White Paper On Onyanko Club] (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: Fusosha Publishing. ISBN 4-594-00169-6.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  • Ino, Ryōsuke, ed. (November 18, 2003). おニャン子クラブと永遠のグループアイドル [Onyanko Club And Eternal Group Idols] (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: Takarajimasha. ISBN 978-4796636919.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)


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