Joe Hisaishi began studying classical music as a young child in Japan, and continued his studies at Kunitachi College of Music.  In the mid-1980’s, Hisaishi began working with director Hayao Miyasaki.  The duo became, in a sense, the Spielberg and Williams of Japan.  They collaborated on such films as “Spirited Away (2001), “Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (2008)”, and several others. 

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Interesting fact:  In 2001, Hisaishi made his debut as a film director in ”Quartet(2001)”,taking charge of the theme music and script (co-writing). The film, receiving excellent reviews, was introduced as the first full-scale musical film in Japan and it was nominated to World Competition of the Montreal Festival.

Learn more about Hisaishi at his website:



http://joehisaishi.com/biography.php