Yumi Ito, 1941-2016

Actress/singer Yumi Ito, one half of the popular singing duo The Peanuts, passed away on May 18 at the age of 75, although the news has only now been reported. Emi Ito passed away almost exactly four years ago in 2012.

Happiness weeps again. May both sisters rest in peace.

UPDATE: A great photo too cool not to share. Source:

WHY ARE YOU WEEPING, HAPPINESS? Japan Remembers Emi Ito

The news of Emi Ito's passing has been hitting the news in Japan. The Nagoya-area Chunichi Sports newspaper and my local Gifu Shimbun have run stories. They are below.

First, Chunichi Sports' report comes in two parts:

Next is the blurb that appears in today's Gifu Shimbun:

EMI ITO (1941-2012)

The Peanuts, Yumi and Emi Ito, performing in March 1971. Source: here

Emi Ito, one half of the popular singing duo The Peanuts, died on June 15, 2012, at the age of 71.

Emi Ito, seen with husband Kenji Sawada, in 1975. Source: here

The Peanuts, who began performing in 1959, are best known to kaiju fans for playing the Shobijin in Mothra (1961), Godzilla vs. the Thing (1964), and Ghidrah the Three-Headed Monster (1964). Although The Peanuts retired in 1975, they are remembered fondly by their fans in the East and West.

Rest in Peace, Emi-san.