About Yanase Takashi

YANASE
TAKASHI
Born in February 6th 1919.
Raised by his parents in Zaishomura,
Kochi Prefecture (Present-day Kami City).
After World War II, he joined at Mitsukoshi Ltd.’s advertising department.
His work included the lettering for their iconic “HANA-HIRAKU” wrapping paper.
After leaving the company to pursue a career as a manga artist,
he first found work drawing the manga advertisement Bīru no ōsama (The king of beer)
for Nippon Beer (now Sapporo Beer). Despite working on many serialized manga,
the rise of story-based manga led to a decrease in available work for Takashi.
Starting in 1960, Takashi became well known for his ability work in various fields,
from writing scripts for TV and radio, as well as being an art director for stage productions.
While he worked on many other songs, “Tenohira wo taiyō ni” (The palm of your hand as a sun),
with music composed by Taku Izumi, became his most famous.
In 1969, at the age of 50, his manga Anpanman, written for the magazine PHP, was first published.
In 1988, the anime Soreike! Anpanman (Let’s go! Anpanman) was first broadcast.
The series was awarded with the World Record for Most Characters (1768 characters) by
the Guinness World Records in 2009.
While he continued to work hard for as long as he could, he retired in 2010 due to worsening eyesight.
However, he returned from retirement after the March 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami,
working to make posters that were sent out to disaster-stricken areas.
Passed away on October 13th, 2013.
Following his life motto that “life is about bringing joy to others,”
he created many works and characters including Anpanman.
One can see this hard-working spirit reflected in the life of Yanase Takashi.
1900
As a Manga Artist
Yanase Takashi began working as a manga artist in 1953. In the beginning, he worked on promotional manga such as Bīru no ōsama (The king of beer) for adult magazines and newspapers.
The work Boō -shi (Mr. Bō), featuring a character whose face is completely concealed by a large hat, was produced in various different ways. While completely wordless, the four panels of each manga strip were still filled with witty writing, expressing the value of a “pantomime” manga style that Takashi himself named.
As a Picture-Book Writer
Takashi’s iconic hero of justice, Anpanman, takes off part of his edible head for people to eat. After the creation of this character, he worked on various projects aimed at children. Following the Anpanman picture-book, his books included Yasashī raion (The kind lion) and Chirin no suzu (Ringing bell), which have been beloved by readers of many generations.
As a Poet
It was in the middle of struggling with work that Takashi’s famous nursery-rhyme, “Tenohira wo taiyō ni” (The palm of your hand as a sun) was born. The collection of poetry Ai suru uta (Beloved songs), which contained the rhyme, became a massive hit. The use of simple and easy-to-understand words allowed for his poems to touch many people’s hearts. The words of Takashi, from “Otōto monogatari” (Tale of the younger brother), an ode to his younger brother after he passed away, to the magazine “Poem & Marchen,” as well as the essays published in Kochi Prefecture’s newspapers, have their own distinctive sound and rhythm.
As an Editor
Takashi’s first work as an editor was the literary magazine “Poem & Marchen,” which collected submissions from readers including poems, art, and manga, in a picture-book format. Takashi would continue to edit and provide cover-art for the magazine over the next 30 years. The magazine was filled with Takashi’s dream of condensing the lyrical world he had known in his youth, and raising up peoples’ artistic endeavours. With the increase in submissions from younger readers, the sister magazine “Ichigo ehon” (Strawberry picture-book), as well as an artist’s guide “Irasu tore” (Illustrator training) were also published. It was thanks to these magazines that many artists were able to truly start their careers.
As a Designer
After World War II, Takashi began working at Mitsukoshi Ltd.’s advertising department. His main duties involved designing posters and drawing informational manga for the company. It was at this time that he designed the lettering for the wrapping-paper “HANA-HIRAKU”, designed by painter Genichiro Inokuma. After leaving to pursue his career as a manga artist, he directed the stage-design for the musical “Miagete goran yoru no hoshi wo” (Look up at the stars in the night sky). Later, on request of manga artist Osamu Tezuka, Takashi acted as art director and character designer for the anime film A Thousand and One Nights. He would go on to create countless characters, and even today one can catch sight of “Yanase characters” in various places.
As an Entertainer
Takashi once said that “People are happiest when they are making other people happy.” He had his first experience with stage-work in 1958, when he was hired by singer Mariko Miyagi to help organize a recital. He would later meet other entertainers like Rokusuke Ei and Taku Izumi, and accumulated a great deal of experience in turning collections of poetry and picture-books into concerts and musicals. He had his CD debut when he was 84, releasing the album Nosutaru jīsan (Nostalgic old man), where Takashi sung the music he had written for musicals throughout his career. In his later years he would even sing at parties and concerts he had organized.
Who is Yanase Usagi?
A character sometimes drawn by Yanase Takashi as a self-portrait.
He also acts as the logo for the Yanase Takashi Memorial Hall.
I was born in the year of the goat, so it really could have been a goat character.
But I found them hard to draw, and I went with a rabbit instead.
Not only that, but rabbits tend to be easily scared, don’t like fighting,
and so are fast runners. They aren’t dangerous at all.
I found that very nice, so I created Yanase Usagi, a rabbit who wears sunglasses.
-Excerpt from Jinsei nante yume dakedo (Even though life is a dream) by Yanase Takashi.
Published in 2005 by Froebel-Kan
Brief Timeline of Yanase Takashi
1919
Taisho
8
0
Born in February 6th to father Yanase Kiyoshi and mother Yanase Tokiko as the first son of the family in Zaishomura, Kochi Prefecture (Present-day Kami City).
1937
Showa
12
18
Enrols at Tokyo Prefectural School of Craft and Design (Present-day Chiba University Faculty of Engineering).
1940
Showa
15
21
Joins pharmaceutical company Tokyo Tanabe Co.
1941
Showa
16
22
Drafted into the Japanese Imperial Army as part of a regiment in Kokura (Present-day Kitakyushu City).
1943
Showa
18
24
Dispatched to Mainland China. Relieved of duty upon the end of World War II while in Shanghai.
1946
Showa
21
27
Returns to Japan and his hometown from China.
Joins the Kochi Shinbun. After working as a journalist on social affairs, he joins the editing department of Gekkan Kochi (Monthly Kochi). While there, he meets his future wife Nobu Komatsu.
1947
Showa
22
28
Moves to Tokyo, and joins Mitsukoshi Ltd. His work includes the lettering of Mitsukoshi on the iconic wrapping-paper design “HANA-HIRAKU” (designed by Genichiro Inokuma).
He publishes manga in various mediums as part of his work for Mitsukoshi. Joins the young manga-artist association Dokuritsu Manga-ha (Independent manga circle) centered around Kō Kojima.
1953
Showa
28
34
Leaves Mitsukoshi Ltd. and becomes a free agent.
1954
Showa
29
35
Beginning with the promotional manga Bīru no ōsama (The king of beer) for Nippon Beer (Present-day Sapporo Beer), Takashi begins working on various published manga.

Joins the Manga Shūdan (Manga association).
1960
Showa
35
41
Becomes involved with various activities including working on television and radio programs, organizing recitals, and doing interviews for magazines.

Joins the production of the musical “Miagete goran yoru no hoshi wo” (Look up at the stars in the night sky), directed by Rokusuke Ei, as art director.
Meets musician Taku Izumi.
1961
Showa
36
42
Writes the lyrics to “Tenohira wo taiyō ni” (The palm of your hand as a sun) (Music composed by Taku Izumi, sung by Mariko Miyagi).
1962
Showa
37
43
“Tenohira wo taiyō ni” is broadcast on the NHK program Minna no uta (Everyone’s songs), and is later published in music textbooks.
1964
Showa
39
45
Takes part in the NHK’s Manga gakkō (Manga school) program as a tutor (1964-1967).

Writes the screenplay for the made-for-TV film Harō CQ (Hello CQ), directed by Susumu Hani, for Tokyo 12 Channel (Present-day TV Tokyo).
1965
Showa
40
46
Manga nyūmon (Introduction to manga) published by Hana Shobo.

First picture-book Tobu wani (The flying crocodile) is published by Iwasaki Shoten.

Shine sukecchi (Cine sketch), a collection of essays published in film magazines such as “Eiga geijutsu” (Film art) and “Eiga no tomo” (Friend of cinema) is published.
1966
Showa
41
47
A collection of poetry Aisuru uta (Beloved songs) is published by Yamanashi Silk Center (Present-Day Sanrio).
1967
Showa
42
48
Writes Yasashī raion (The kind lion) for Nippon Cultural Broadcasting.

Wins the Shūkan Asahi Manga Prize for Boō -shi (Mr. Bō)
1969
Showa
44
50
After writing short-stories for PHP Magazine for a year, the character of Anpanman debuts in the October 1969 issue.

Art director and character designer for anime film A Thousand and One Nights (Original draft and project direction by Osamu Tezuka).

Writes and directs the Mushi Production anime adaptation of Yasashī raion.
1972
Showa
47
53
Forms the Mangaka No Ehon No Kai (Picture-book gathering of manga artists) with other manga artists who enjoy picture-books.
1973
Showa
48
54
The magazine “Poem & Marchen” is published by Sanrio. Works as the magazine’s chief editor for the next thirty years (1973-2003).

Begins serialization of Anpanman in the October issue of “Kindā ohanashi ehon” (Children’s story-book), a monthly magazine by Froebel-Kan
1975
Showa
50
56
Writes and directs the Sanrio anime adaptation of his work Chīsana janbo (Little jumbo).

Begins publishing Kaiketsu Anpanman (The incredible Anpanman) in “Poem & Marchen.”
1976
Showa
51
57
Rensai manga Anpanman (Serialized manga Anpaman) is published in “Ichigo ehon” magazine.
1982
Showa
57
63
“Irasu tore” (Illustrator training) magazine, published by Sanrio, begins serialization (1982-1985).
1988
Showa
63
69
Soreike! Anpanman (Let’s go! Anpanman) begins broadcast on Nippon TV
1989
Heisei
1
70
The first Anpanman feature-film Soreike! Anpanman: Kirakira-boshi no namida (Let’s Go! Anpanman: Tears of the glittering star) is released.
1990
Heisei
2
71
Tobe! Anpanman (Fly! Anpanman) begins serialization in the Asahi Shimbun’s Sunday edition (1990-1994).
1992
Heisei
4
73
Acts as the head judge for the First All-National High School Manga Championship, also known as the Manga Koshien.
1994
Heisei
6
75
The Anpanman Shop opens in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Takashi is made an honorary citizen of Kochi Prefecture’s Kamigunhokuchō (Present-day Kami City).
1996
Heisei
8
77
The Yanase Takashi Memorial Hall & Anpanman Museum is opened.

Pyon-Pyon otasuke kamen (Masked savior Pyon-Pyon) begins serialization in Shōnen Shōjo Shinbun (1996-2000).
1998
Heisei
10
79
The Yanase Takashi Memorial Hall Poem & Marchen Gallery is opened.
2000
Heisei
12
81
Nyani ga nyandā Nyandā Kamen (What is what? Masked Nyanda) begins broadcast on TV Asahi (2000-2001).

Anpanman is featured as part of The 20th Century Stamp Series 16, a series of postal stamps commemorating Japan in the 20th Century.
2001
Heisei
13
82
The Yanase Takashi Memorial Hall Annex is opened.

Jin-KEN Mamoru-kun, created on request from the Kochi District Legal Affairs Bureau becomes the Ministry of Justice’s mascot character representing human rights.
2005
Heisei
17
86
Yanase Takashi Memorial Park finishes construction. A statue of Yanase Usagi inside the park is unveiled.
2008
Heisei
20
89
Giant Dadandan statue is unveiled.
2009
Heisei
21
90
Guinness World Records awards Let’s Go! Anpanman with World Record for Most Characters.

The Anpanman anime reaches 1,000 total episodes.
2010
Heisei
22
91
Yanase Takashi’s Marchen Picture-Book begins serialization in Asahi Gakusei Shimbun (2010-2013).
2011
Heisei
23
92
Fighting Anpanman statue is unveiled.

Takashi is celebrated as an honorary citizen of Kochi Prefecture.
2013
Heisei
25
94
Passes away on October 13th.
*You can view the timeline by scrolling to the side.