"Jirokichi to JIROKICHI: 50 Years of a Koenji Live House" Edited by Live Music JIROKICHI
ISBN:978-4-911484-03-6
"Jirokichi to JIROKICHI: 50 Years of a Koenji Live House," a commemorative book chronicling the 50-year history of the Koenji, Tokyo live house "JIROKICHI" alongside a vast archive of materials, will be released on February 6.
Having weathered the COVID-19 pandemic, the Koenji, Tokyo live house "JIROKICHI" celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025. This book is a commemorative volume that compiles the venue's journey from its opening in 1975 to the present, accompanied by an extensive collection of archival materials.
The book vividly records the "real, everyday life" of the live house through precious interviews with performing musicians, 50 years of live performance schedules, previously unreleased photos, and flyers from the era. It reveals JIROKICHI's identity as a "crossroads of music," where diverse genres such as jazz, blues, and soul intersect, while also highlighting the transformation of the surrounding Koenji neighborhood.
Furthermore, it features a gallery of all 50 years of live schedule covers, musician signatures etched into the walls and pillars, anniversary posters and flags, and numerous treasured photos and anecdotes. It is a visually stunning piece of work.
The passion emanating from every page—from musicians, staff, and audiences alike—conveys that a live house is far more than just a place to perform or listen to music. It is sure to provide great inspiration to those looking to make their mark on the music scene of the future.
《Product Information》
Jirokichi to JIROKICHI
－50 Years of a Koenji Live House－
ISBN: 978-4-911484-03-6
Price: ¥4,500 + tax
B5 Size / 214 pages
Edited by Live Music JIROKICHI
【Special Interviews】
Akira Sakata / Kiyohiko Semba / Mitsuki Kimura / Rikuo / Tamaya Honda / Masaki Ueda / Ko Machida / Satoshi Izumi / Mitsuyoshi Azuma / Takahiro Kaneko / KenKen / Tomoo Tsuruya / Bella Morisaki / Takamitsu Yashiro (CEO of BLUE GROOVE) / Osamu Mishiba / KOTEZ / Leo Morimoto / the Tiger / RowHoo / Tatsuro Yamashita (reprinted from the 45th-anniversary pamphlet)
【Dialogue】
Takashi "Hotoke" Nagai × Junshi Yamagishi Dialogue
【Other】
Interviews with illustrators Tomohisa Ishikawa, GEORGE MOMOKO, and Yoichiro Den; an original interior illustration of JIROKICHI by Taiga Kuhara; and a Koenji culture map (includes an interview with Hiromi Wada [Hachimitsu Pie])
★Publication Commemorative Event★
"Jirokichi to JIROKICHI: 50 Years of a Koenji Live House" Publication Commemorative Mini-Exhibition & Live Show
February 1, 2026 (Sun) at JIROKICHI
Performers: Isao Sankichi o Miyoshi (g), Bakabon Suzuki (b), Tomoo Tsuruya (dr), Kiyohiko Semba (perc), Takashi "Hotoke" Nagai (vo,g), Mitsuyoshi Azuma (vo,g), Jun Takase (key), Makoto Ohnishi (b), Teruo Matsumoto (dr)
MC: Hironari Ishikawa, Takaya Kanai (JIROKICHI)
Open 18:30 / Start 19:30
Advance ¥3500 / Door ¥4000 (+1 drink order)
★JIROKICHI 50th Anniversary Special Exhibition★
Live Music JIROKICHI 50th Anniversary
Special Exhibition
"Jirokichi to JIROKICHI: 50 Years of a Koenji Live House"
December 2, 2025 (Tue) – January 18, 2026 (Sun)
Venue: Za-Koenji B2 Gallery Asobiba
10:00-22:00
Admission Free
A special exhibition tracing the journey of JIROKICHI, the Koenji live house born in 1975, through precious materials including rare photos, video footage, and 50 years of performance schedules. A 50-year story where music, the city, and people's memories intersect.
