Remembering Zard
Izumi Sakai’s artistry and impact
May 27 marks the anniversary of the death of a Japanese musician who is still fondly remembered. Izumi Sakai, better known as Zard, was the voice of a struggling generation.
In the early 1990s, the Japanese stock market crashed, which marked the beginning of the so-called “lost decade” of economic stagnation for the country.
In 1993 pop group Zard released the song Makenaide, which translates to something along the lines of “don’t lose”; encouraging people not to give up.
Offering hope to the working masses in a tough economic climate, the song was very successful and became inextricably linked with the era.
Though not the start or end of Zard’s career, it marked a breakthrough and exemplifies the impact a piece of art can have on the lives of others.
Artistic Career
While Makenaide was the most successful Zard song in terms of sales (over 1.64 million), the driving force behind it accomplished much as a musician before and after.
Her stage name was Izumi Sakai and she was the only constant member of the band, to the point where “Zard” can be used to refer only to her. In 1991, Zard’s debut Good-bye My Loneliness had already performed well and Makenaide was their 6th…
