Photo/Illutration Asei Kobayashi in August 2019 (Photo by Hiromi Shinada)

Screenwriter Kuniko Mukoda (1929-1981) once recalled being annoyed with the casting of the composer, lyricist and actor Asei Kobayashi in the lead role of her new TV drama series "Terauchi Kantaro Ikka" (Kantaro Terauchi and his family).

Her displeasure stemmed from the bad impression she got from a photo of Kobayashi she had seen in a magazine. She even went to the director to tell him off for his "bad joke" of a choice.

But her feelings changed after she met Kobayashi in person.

She fell in love with Kobayashi's voice. And his appearance reminded her of Takamori Saigo (1828-1877), one of the top politicians who led the Meiji Restoration.

Kobayashi died on May 30 at age 88. News of his death must have refreshed many people's memories of his signature shaved head and "happi" coat.

The character he played in the drama was a classic Japanese pig-headed geezer who would curse people out and even slap his wife and son around.

But in his book, Kobayashi described himself as having a "split personality" or "multiple personality," explaining that he was stubborn and sentimental, but could also be a goof who loved following frivolous fads.

As a composer--which was his main profession--he freely crossed genres that ranged from TV commercials to anime and "enka" traditional ballads.

One of his longest-living creations was "Kono Ki Nanno Ki" (What is this tree?), a commercial song he wrote for Hitachi Ltd. Every time I see a tree like it, the melody starts playing in my mind.

His theme music for the anime series "Mahotsukai Sally" (Sally the Witch) started with the incantation, "Maharikumaharita ..."

And "No ni Saku Hana no Yoni" (Like flowers in the field) was a recurring song in a drama series featuring artist Kiyoshi Yamashita (1922-1971), who was known as the "wandering genius."

Kobayashi once noted that his secret to creating songs anyone can sing and learn effortlessly was to never forget "the feelings I had as a child, when a harmonica was the only musical instrument I could play."

Discovered during the era of television, his talent made TV enjoyable.

Let's pick one familiar number, never mind which, and sing it now in Kobayashi's memory.

For me, that would be the theme song of the sci-fi anime "Kagaku Ninjatai Gatchaman" (The Science Ninja Team Gatchaman), which goes, "There is one Earth, there is one Earth ..."

--The Asahi Shimbun, June 16

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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.

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