Umeko Ando was born in Fushiko Ainu village. She is a renowned expert of the mukkuri (the koukin, a Japanese mouth harp) and upopo (the traditional chanting of the Ainu). Immersed throughout her life with the culture, language and traditions of the Ainu, she has become an important successor for the Ainu culture of the Obihiro district. Her participation on OKI's second album, Hankapuy, helped to gain her recognition. Her solo debut album, Ihunke
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Umeko Ando was born in Fushiko Ainu village. She is a renowned expert of the mukkuri (the koukin, a Japanese mouth harp) and upopo (the traditional chanting of the Ainu). Immersed throughout her life with the culture, language and traditions of the Ainu, she has become an important successor for the Ainu culture of the Obihiro district. Her participation on OKI's second album, Hankapuy, helped to gain her recognition. Her solo debut album, Ihunke, produced by OKI in 2001, was extolled by many critics and artists, and declared the best world music album of the year by many music publications in Japan. This was followed by further critical success with her second album from Chikar Studio, Upopo Sanke (2003), gaining worldwide attention. －July 15, 2004 Umeko Ando died from cancer at her hometown Makubetsu-cho, Hokkaido. She was 71. Episode 17. "Lullabies of the Lost" of Cartoon Network's Samurai Champloo bears a message regarding this at the end of the credits, reading simply: Umeko Ando May her soul rest in peace. "Pekambe Uku" ("Wheat Harvesting Song") was used in this episode as the Ainu style was used in a few episodes briefly before this point in the series. The other Ainu Songs used are from OKI: 'Susuriuka' (Willow Bridge) and 'Uchaore' (Communication) from the album "Kamuy Kor Nupurpe".
