Previously Unreleased Original Recording “Futari Kiri de,” Sung by 18-Year-Old Hibari Misora, Unearthed After 17 Years and Set for 80th Anniversary Box Release

The year 2026 marks the 80th anniversary of Hibari Misora’s entertainment career, counting from her first stage appearance in 1946 at Sugita Theater in Yokohama’s Isogo Ward. As Nippon Columbia continues archiving approximately 110,000 master tapes in its collection, an unidentified Hibari Misora recording with no prior record of use was discovered. After careful examination against past release data and other records, it was confirmed to be an unreleased Hibari Misora recording. The newly discovered song is listed in the recording ledger as “Futari Kiri de,” with lyrics by Ko Fujiura, music by Rokuro Hara, and arrangement by Kenji Matsuo. Fujiura wrote the title theme songs for Misora’s first starring film, “Kanashiki Kuchibue,” made when she was 12, as well as the major hit “Tokyo Kid,” helping propel her to stardom. Hara composed one of Misora’s major hits, “Omatsuri Mambo.” The song was recorded on February 10, 1956. The recording captures Misora’s youthful voice at age 18, singing about the wavering emotions of a girl in love. It marks the first discovery in 17 years, since 2009, of an original song found after her passing. The track will be included as a bonus track in “Uta no Hosekibako,” the Hibari Misora 80th Anniversary Box, to be released on June 24, the anniversary of her death. It will also be released as a digital single. In addition, “Futari Kiri de” is scheduled to be performed on NHK’s “Shin BS Nihon no Uta,” recorded on May 21 at the main hall of Yamato Arts and Culture Hall SIRIUS and broadcast on June 7. Kazuya Kato, president of Hibari Productions, said that if his mother were alive today, this year would mark 80 years since she began her entertainment career. In such a commemorative year, an unreleased song by his mother has been found. The newly discovered “Futari Kiri de” was recorded in 1956, when she was 18, with lyrics by Ko Fujiura, who had supported her since her debut song “Kappa Boogie Woogie,” and music by Rokuro Hara, who provided works such as “Omatsuri Mambo.” Kato noted that 1956 was a time when Japan was finally beginning to recover from the scars of war, and that her voice conveys the glow of peaceful youth. He said he is very pleased to be able to deliver this song to fans some 70 years after it was recorded. Kunio Eto, producer in charge of Hibari Misora at Columbia Creative, said the unreleased song “Futari Kiri de” has been discovered and is finally receiving its first release. He described it as a precious recording from the age of 18, a period when Misora was transitioning from girlhood to adulthood, and invited listeners to enjoy the young Hibari Misora’s voice, where freshness coexists with rich stability. The Hibari Misora 80th Anniversary release “Uta no Hosekibako” will be issued on June 24, 2026 as a four-CD box set featuring original songs, classic covers, and foreign song covers, with “Futari Kiri de” included as a bonus track.