Takai Mamiko

Takai Mamiko高(たか)井(い)麻(ま)巳(み)子(こ)
Promotional photo for Message (1988)
Profile
Kanji	高(たか)井(い)麻(ま)巳(み)子(こ)
Real Name	Akimoto Mamiko (秋(あき)元(もと)麻(ま)巳(み)子(こ))
Nicknames	Mamichan (まみ)
Born	December 28, 1966 (age 58)
Birth Place	Obama, Fukui, Japan
Blood Type	O
Zodiac Sign	Capricorn
Height	157.5 cm (5 ft 2 in)?
Professional Information
Genre	Kayokyoku, J-Pop
Occupation	Idol
Years Active	1985-1988
Label	Pony Canyon
Former Group	Onyanko Club Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi
Join Date	April 26, 1985(Onyanko Club) Founding Member (Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi)
Graduated	April 5, 1987

Onyanko Club Member Card Front

Onyanko Club Member Card Back

Akimoto Mamiko (秋元麻巳子) née Takai (高井) is a former Japanese idol, a former actress, a former member of Onyanko Club, and the sub-unit Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi.

History

Takai grew up in rural Fukui Prefecture and showed talent in the arts, leading her to attend junior art college in Tokyo. In early April 1985 she was scouted for Onyanko Club in Harajuku during a televised segment and accepted into the group shortly after on April 26th, 1985. Her popularity quickly grew, and she was one of the few members to have lead vocals on their first album KICK OFF. In October 1985, she joined the sub-unit Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi, further boosting her fame.

She made her solo debut in June 1986 while continuing with Onyanko Club and Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi. After achieving considerable success, she announced her eventual group graduation on April 5th, 1987, leading to the disbandment of the sub-unit. They reunited for one final performance on September 20th, 1987.

By early 1988, her solo career was thriving, as she had a few number one hits, a new fan club, and an upcoming concert tour. However, in May 1988, she suddenly retired from entertainment after eloping with former Onyanko Club co-worker Akimoto Yasushi. The couple immediately moved to New York City in the United States, returning to Japan two years later, though Takai remained retired.

As of 2002, she worked as a book illustrator and author under her married name. Though she stays out of the public eye, it’s said she enjoys hosting social gatherings at her home with her husband and daughter, suggesting she now lives life as a socialite.

Discography

Albums

1. [1987.01.21] Itoguchi (いとぐち)
2. [1987.07.05] Kokoro Biyori (こころ日和)
3. [1988.01.21] Watashi no Mama de… (私のままで…)
4. [1988.06.05] Message

Best Albums

1. [2002.02.20] MY COLLE!CTION TAKAI MAMIKO BEST (MYこれ！クション 高井麻巳子 BEST)
2. [2004.05.19] Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi Uta no Daihyakka Sono 2 Takai Mamiko (うしろゆびさされ組 うたの大百科 その2 高井麻巳子)
3. [2007.08.17] TAKAI MAMIKO SINGLES COMPLETE (高井麻巳子 SINGLESコンプリート)
4. [2010.04.21] My Kore! Lite Takai Mamiko (Myこれ！Lite 高井麻巳子)

Singles

1. [1986.06.25] Cinderella-tachi e no Dengon (シンデレラたちへの伝言)
2. [1986.09.21] Melody (メロディ)
3. [1986.12.21] Yakusoku (約束)
4. [1987.03.18] Kagerou (かげろう)
5. [1987.06.10] Jounetsu Rainbow (情熱れいんぼぅ)
6. [1987.09.21] Usotsuki (うそつき)
7. [1987.12.16] Tender Rain (テンダー・レイン)
8. [1988.04.06] Komorebi no Season (木洩れ陽のシーズン)

Video Releases

1. [1987.07.05] Tokeiji Kake no Shouakuma (Fantômas) (時計じかけの小悪魔 (ファントマ))
2. [1987.07.21] First Concert DO.RA.MA (ファースト・コンサート DO・RA・MA)

Publications

Photobooks

1. [1987.07.05] Soleil Takai Mamiko Shashin-shuu (ソレイユ 高井麻巳子写真集)

Gallery

• June 1988
• June 1988
• July 1987
• Mamiko with Iwai Yukiko and Tahara Toshihiko in July 1986.

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Trivia

• She's the mother of one daughter born in March 2001 named Akimoto Seri (秋元せり).
• She studied at Joshibi University of Art and Design Junior College and graduated from Fukui Prefectural Wakasa High School.
• Takai is the only member of Onyanko Club that was invited to audition by street-scouting.
• Takai is close friends with actress and singer Saito Yuki. They met as co-stars in the film Koisuru Onnatachi in 1986, and went on vacation in New York City together. They remain close friends despite Takai's retirement.
• While in Onyanko Club, Takai was friends with Kihara Aki. The pair would occasionally go out after rehearsals to watch late night movie showings. Iwai Yukiko also reported her as her best friend in 1985 when asked, but later retracted that statement in an interview in 1988, saying that they had more of a "co-worker" like relationship for most of the duration of Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi.
• She has four sisters, one of which was a member of dance troupe DEE-DEE, who were often featured as backup dancers on the live music TV show "Yoru no Hit Studio."
• According to her friend Saito Yuki, it was Takai who pursued Akimoto Yasushi, not the other way around.
  • Fellow Onyanko Club member Kokusho Sayuri also shared a story she had heard about the sudden marriage and retirement. According to her account, Takai approached Akimoto, expressing a desire to elope with him upon learning that he would be moving to New York City for two years, which he accepted.
• She was the first Onyanko Club member to get married (out of those that have been announced to the public.)
• She was an open fan of THE CHECKERS and actor/musician Jinnai Takanori.
  • Jinnai claimed that after she announced she was a fan of his through a magazine interview, he received an on-slew of death threats and other violent messages from her fans in the mail.