About Izumi Sakai

[King Beryl]

I love ZARD and Sakai-san because she was a great singer and song-writter. But, sadly, I know too few about her life.

I know she was a model before becoming a singer, and she liked Detective Conan, sports, travelled to France and other occidental countries and died in 2007 due to her cancer. And tha's all.

I'd love to know more about her. If someone could help me:

1. Which countries did she visited? Could someone tell something about her experiences in that countries?
2. Could someone tell something that she said in interviews?
3. If you know something about Sakai-san that I don't know, please tell me.

Thanks, and best regards.

 

[Rika-Chicchi]

For a starter, you may read this Wiki article about her. TBH, while I also like her & her music, I didn't follow her from the beginning, but only during the latter half of her career before her unfortunate early death. BTW, you may also look at this post of mine here (many links have already been broken, tho ).

 

[King Beryl]

Thanks a lot, Rika.

About Wikipedia, I read that some years ago if I remember well (about 2013), but then, there were less info. I have re-read both Zard and Sakai’s wikipedia entries now and I have learned some new things like her first live was the cruise live in 1999 (I watched that concert in youtube some years ago, but I never expected it was her first live since is from 1999 and Zard started in early 90s).

about your post, most info seems to be about she being already dead (memorials, etc), some links expired and the others are in japanese (I am studying japanese but my level is very low yet). I’d love to know more about her travels, life experiences, hobbies (I know she was a gamer since she appeared playing with a playstation in a video), way of thinking, etc.

Again, thanks a lot Rika. Every info about Sakai-san would be wellcome

 

[Rika-Chicchi]

She was a low-key artist, especially after her debut as a singer (she was a racing queen & gravure model before that), hence not much personal info about her is available, as compared w/ many other artists (if you're a member of her fanclub, you might get more info, tho, but I'm not).

 

[King Beryl]

Thanks. I know she was shy so she usually don’t talk about her life. However, knowing her favourite anime series was Detective Conan, I thought there could be more info available about her hobbies (her favourite videogame, for example)

I have seen footage of her in France being kissed by 2 old women, and of her with blonde little boys, and with taking a policeman hat, etc. I’d like to know the story behind this footage.

I am not yet a member of her fanclub, but maybe I’ll become a member when my japanese level would be better.

thanks for your kindness, Rika

 

[Rika-Chicchi]

If/when your Japanese level is good enough, you may find more about her by reading her various books & publications - here's a booklist:

ZARD - Wikipedia

BTW, that Japanese Wiki article also has more detailed info about her.