Combining strong vocals, tuneful arrangements, and a unique visual presence, folk duo Kobukuro, comprising Kentaro Kobuchi (guitar/vocals) and Shunsuke Kuroda (vocals) has grown into one of the biggst selling acts in music. With their name made up of the first two syllables of each of the members' last names, Kobukuro was formed in 1995 when Kobuchi, a salesman for a sanitation management company and part-time busker, hooked up with Kuroda, a street musician, on the Ginza Dori Shopping Street in Osaka. The story has it that Kobuch penned a song for Kuroda, who in turn suggested that they combine forces and perform together. After releasing three moderately well received indies albums (
Saturday 8PM in July 1999,
Root of My Mind in March 2001,
Answer in December 2000), Kobukuro made their major label debut in March 2001 with the single "Yell", which shot to #4 on the Oricon charts, resulting in Kobuchi and Kuroda being named the third big "neo-folk duo", after 19 and Yuzu. "Yell" appeared on Kobokuro's first full-length,
Roadmade, which dropped in August of the same year. In the years after
Roadmade Kobukuro lined up a string of singles and albums that charted respectably, breaking the top ten again in October 2004 with "Eien ni tomo ni" (Together Forever), which charted at #6. The year after its release, "Eien ni tomo ni" earned the distinction of being performed at more weddings than any other song. In May 2005 Kobukuro racked up anot...
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Combining strong vocals, tuneful arrangements, and a unique visual presence, folk duo Kobukuro, comprising Kentaro Kobuchi (guitar/vocals) and Shunsuke Kuroda (vocals) has grown into one of the biggst selling acts in music. With their name made up of the first two syllables of each of the members' last names, Kobukuro was formed in 1995 when Kobuchi, a salesman for a sanitation management company and part-time busker, hooked up with Kuroda, a street musician, on the Ginza Dori Shopping Street in Osaka. The story has it that Kobuch penned a song for Kuroda, who in turn suggested that they combine forces and perform together. After releasing three moderately well received indies albums (
Saturday 8PM in July 1999,
Root of My Mind in March 2001,
Answer in December 2000), Kobukuro made their major label debut in March 2001 with the single "Yell", which shot to #4 on the Oricon charts, resulting in Kobuchi and Kuroda being named the third big "neo-folk duo", after 19 and Yuzu. "Yell" appeared on Kobokuro's first full-length,
Roadmade, which dropped in August of the same year. In the years after
Roadmade Kobukuro lined up a string of singles and albums that charted respectably, breaking the top ten again in October 2004 with "Eien ni tomo ni" (Together Forever), which charted at #6. The year after its release, "Eien ni tomo ni" earned the distinction of being performed at more weddings than any other song. In May 2005 Kobukuro racked up another big hit with the single "Koko ni shika sakanai hana" (The flower than only blooms here), which was used as the theme song to the drama
Ruri no shima and charted at #2, posting sales of 500,000 units. Kobukuro songs have been used in countless tie-ups, including dramas, television commercials, and ad campaigns, and the duo is a fixture on music television programs. In addition to their records, Kobuchi and Kuroda have won many fans with their relaxed personalities and strong live performances. The duo is difficult to forget visually, as Kuroda, at over 193cm, usually towers over everybody else in the room.
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