Rei Nakanishi

Rei Nakanishi studied at Tokyo Metropolitan Kudan High School and College of Arts, Rikkyo University. The recorded working language is Japanese. Residence is recorded at Otaru and Aomori. Works named in the authority record are Kyou De Owakare, Kita-Sakaba, Angel's Temptation and Nagasaki burabura bushi. Distinctions recorded are Golden Arrow Award.

• Name — Rei Nakanishi • Native Name — なかにし 礼 • Born — 2 September 1938 • Birthplace — Mudanjiang, Manchukuo • Died — 23 December 2020 • Place of death — Tokyo, Japan • Occupation — Novelist and songwriter • Education — Kudan High School • Alma Mater — Rikkyo University • Notable Works — Kyōdai • Awards — Naoki Prize • Website — home page (Japanese)

Nakanishi was born Reizō Nakanishi (中西 禮三) in Mudanjiang, Manchukuo. He graduated from Kudan High School in Tokyo and received a degree in French literature from Rikkyo University. He lived in Zushi, Kanagawa. He first worked on translations of French chanson songs, but while on honeymoon, he made the acquaintance of Yujiro Ishihara and became a Japanese popular song (kayōkyoku) writer. He is one of the main lyricists in the world of post-World War II kayōkyoku. He gave the world an extensive collection of works—songs such as "Kyou de owakare" and "Kita sakaba", which became big hits, but also a large proportion of unusual songs. In 1969, his total sales exceeded 10 million records. He has displayed talent in many fields, including concert and stage production, movie performance, singing, composing, translation, novel and essay writing, and cultural broadcasting (as a personality on "Sei! Yangu!" and as a regular on NHK's "N-kyō"). However, behind his showy life, he suffered from difficulties such as heart disease, divorce, and having to repay his elder brother's extensive debts. From those personal experiences came novels such as Kyōdai and Sakura no densetsu. He was a pacifist and desired reconciliation with China and Korea, and this shows in his writing style and speech. He gave up songwriting at the end of the Shōwa era, and concentrated on opera production and performance and novel and essay writing. Kyōdai was nominated in 1998 for the 119th Naoki Prize. Nagasaki burabura-setsu won the 122nd Naoki Prize in 2000. Recently, Nakanishi appeared as a commentator on the Japanese "wide show" Wide! Scramble! on the Asahi Television Network. Nakanishi died in Tokyo on 23 December 2020, at the age of 82, after suffering a heart attack.