In the world of Japanese pop culture, few names evoke as much nostalgia and awe as Joe Hisaishi. Although his name is inextricably linked to the animated masterpieces of Studio Ghibli, the man behind the music is a versatile artist who has been blurring the boundaries between classical, electronic and modern minimalism for over fifty years. With him coming to the Netherlands this autumn for a rare series of concerts, we delve into the story of the man who brings dreams to life through sound.
Most of us first came to know Joe Hisaishi (born Mamoru Fujisawa) through the dreamy sounds of My Neighbour Totoro or Spirited Away. But his roots lie in a surprising place. In the 1970s and early 1980s, Hisaishi was a pioneer on the Japanese electronic music scene. Inspired by minimalists such as Philip Glass and the techno-pop of the legendary Yellow Magic Orchestra, he experimented with synthesizers and percussion on albums such as MKWAJU (1981).
That experimental drive has never faded. If you listen closely to his film music, you can still hear that minimalist foundation: simple, repetitive piano motifs that slowly build into an emotional storm.
An inseparable creative duo
It was his meeting with Hayao Miyazaki in 1983 that changed everything. For the film Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, the director was looking for a sound that was both futuristic and emotional. Hisaishi delivered a score that became the soul of the film.
The bond between the two is unique in the film world. Hisaishi often composes his music based on early sketches and ‘image boards’, long before the animation is complete. This ensures that the timing of the music and the images at Studio Ghibli flow together perfectly. It is not background music; it is a character in its own right.
A masterful conductor
What many people don’t realise is that Hisaishi sees himself first and foremost as an ambassador for classical music. He conducts the world’s leading orchestras and constantly immerses himself in the works of Beethoven and Brahms to hone his own craft. It is precisely this discipline that makes his film music, from the raw sounds in Takeshi Kitano’s films to the lush orchestration of Howl’s Moving Castle, feel so timeless.
News: Hisaishi in the Netherlands
There is big news for Dutch fans this year. Whilst the maestro usually sells out the largest venues in Tokyo, Paris or New York, it is now Amsterdam’s turn. In collaboration with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Hisaishi will perform at the Ziggo Dome on Friday 2 and Sunday 4 October 2026.
It is a rare opportunity to see the man himself at the piano and conducting his own work.
Joe Hisaishi in a nutshell:
- Best known for: Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, The Boy and the Heron.
- Style: A blend of Japanese minimalism, modern classical music and electronic influences.
- Did you know? His name, “Hisaishi Joe” (surname first), is derived from “Quincy Jones”. The kanji for “Hisaishi” can be read as “Kuishi”, which is very close to the Japanese pronunciation of “Quincy”, and “Joe” is, of course, derived from “Jones”.
