"Ofukurosan" lyricist dies at 88

[Tokyograph News]

Writer Kohan Kawauchi (real name Kiyoshi Kawauchi) passed away on Sunday at a hospital in Hachinohe, Aomori. He was 88.

Kawauchi was reportedly healthy in mid-January when he attended a recording session by singer Mimi Hiyoshi, but he was hospitalized soon after that for pneumonia. He continued to undergo treatment, but at the end of last week his condition worsened. However, the official cause of death has not yet been publicized.

Kawauchi first made his mark as the writer behind the 1958 drama series "Gekko Kamen," also known as "Moonlight Mask." He was a noted lyricist as well, having penned many hit songs, such as "Ofukurosan" and "Dare Yori mo Kimi wo Aisu." Kawauchi was also active as an author and political critic.

"Ofukurosan" became a big topic last year due to a disagreement between Kawauchi and singer Shinichi Mori. Mori had performed the song at Kohaku Uta Gassen, and that was when Kawauchi discovered that Mori had added new lyrics to the song long ago without permission. The singer eventually tried to apologize, but the dispute even reached a point where Kawauchi threatened to legally ban Mori from performing any of the songs he wrote.

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