Hajime Chitose

???? Chitose Hajime (???? Hajime Chitose?, born January 5, 1979) is a singer from Japan. She is from Amami ?shima and sings in a style particular to that region, with distinctive falsetto effects. Chitose Hajime was recognized as a gifted folk singer at a young age. She won many folk song competitions, released two traditional folk albums on an indie label, and was approached by numerous record labels. She decided to study to become a beautician instead of pursuing music. However, Hajime had severe allergic reactions to many of the chemicals used by beauticians.

Chitose Hajime (???? Hajime Chitose?, born January 5, 1979) is a singer from Japan. She is from Amami ?shima and sings in a style particular to that region, with distinctive falsetto effects.
Chitose Hajime was recognized as a gifted folk singer at a young age. She won many folk song competitions, released two traditional folk albums on an indie label, and was approached by numerous record labels. She decided to study to become a beautician instead of pursuing music. However, Hajime had severe allergic reactions to many of the chemicals used by beauticians. She withdrew from school, and seriously considered a music career.

In 2001, she released a self titled mini-album on the indie label Office Augusta. The album was covers of older songs, but was so well received that Hajime was pushed to release another mini-album. In August 2001, Chitose released her second mini-album with Augusta Records entitled Kotonoha (???? ?). This release featured 5 original tracks.

In 2002 she released her first major label single on Epic Records - ?Wadatsumi no Ki? (?????? ?). It was the third highest selling single of the year behind only Hikaru Utada's ?traveling?, and Ayumi Hamasaki's ?H?. Three months later, she released a brand new single, ?Kimi wo Om?? (???? ?). While also very popular, it was not nearly the success that her first single was, although it did help to cement her as a permanent artist.

Her first major album, Hainumikaze (?????? ?), followed later in the year. It sold 800,000 copies, charted for 57 weeks, and was the 16th highest selling album of the year.