Nakano, Nagano, 1950
Joe Hisaishi
The music of Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli films, from My Neighbor Totoro to Spirited Away.
Born Mamoru Fujisawa, he took his stage name from Quincy Jones. He started out in minimalism before meeting Hayao Miyazaki, with whom he has worked since Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. He has also scored several Takeshi Kitano films. He conducts and plays piano in his own concerts.
- Style
- Singable piano melodies over a minimalist foundation, with a luminous orchestra.
- Awards
- 7 Japan Academy Prizes for Best Music and a Golden Globe nomination for The Boy and the Heron.
Essential films
- Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
- My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
- Princess Mononoke (1997)
- Kikujiro (1999)
- Spirited Away (2001)
- Howl's Moving Castle (2004)
- The Boy and the Heron (2023)
Listen
- One Summer's Day · Spirited AwaySpotifyYouTube
- Merry-Go-Round of Life · Howl's Moving CastleSpotifyYouTube
- The Path of the Wind · My Neighbor TotoroSpotifyYouTube
Everything on Spotify Everything on YouTube Full biography on Wikipedia
Upcoming concerts with their music
- Joe HisaishiSan Francisco, United States · Davies Symphony Hall · Conducted by Joe Hisaishi, also on the 23rd and 24th
- Joe HisaishiTokyo, Japan · Opera City Concert Hall · Conducted by Joe Hisaishi
- Joe HisaishiSingapore, Singapore · Esplanade · Conducted by Joe Hisaishi, also on the 13th
- Joe HisaishiLondon, United Kingdom · Royal Albert Hall · Conducted by Joe Hisaishi
- Joe Hisaishi: The Boy and the HeronMunich, Germany · Isarphilharmonie · Conducted by Joe Hisaishi
- Joe Hisaishi: The Boy and the HeronLucerne, Switzerland · KKL · Conducted by Joe Hisaishi
- Joe Hisaishi: The Boy and the HeronStuttgart, Germany · Liederhalle · Conducted by Joe Hisaishi
- Joe Hisaishi: The Boy and the HeronBerlin, Germany · Philharmonie · Conducted by Joe Hisaishi
- Joe Hisaishi: The Boy and the HeronHamburg, Germany · Elbphilharmonie · Conducted by Joe Hisaishi
- Joe HisaishiTokyo, Japan · Suntory Hall · Conducted by Joe Hisaishi
Awards counted up to the 2026 Academy Awards. Facts reviewed in October 2026.