Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi (うしろゆびさされ組) was a female Japanesepop music duo consisting of Yukiko Iwai and Mamiko Takai, formed in 1985.[1][2][3] In parallel to their membership in this duo, Iwai and Takai were at the same time members of Onyanko Club, a large pop group widely seen as a precursor to groups such as Morning Musume and AKB48. Onyanko Club sang back-up vocals on some of the songs released by Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi.[3] They are most notable for singing several of the theme songs for the anime television series High School! Kimengumi.[1][4] Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi debuted on Yūyake Nyan Nyan("Sunset Meow Meow") (夕やけニャンニャン) on 30 September 1985. Throughout their short-lived career, the group released six singles, three albums, a promotion video, and two photo books (in addition to the Kimengumi soundtrack albums).[1][5] The group disbanded after Takai's graduation from Onyanko Club on 5 April 1987.[1][6][7]
At first, this subgroup was called Kiwi Gumi (キウイ組, Kiui Gumi).[2][8] They printed 30,000 record jackets for their debut song under this name, but the name was hastily changed to Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi due to a change of heart on the part of Kazuji Kasai, chief director of Yūyake Nyan Nyan, supervisor of Onyanko Club.[2][8] According to Kasai, the reason Takai and Iwai were selected was because they resembled the heroines in the anime "High School Kimengumi".[8] On the other hand, it is said that it was simply because they were going in the same direction to return home.[1] They often took a cab home together after appearing on Yūyake Nyan Nyan.[7]
The subgroup had a somewhat unusual appearance, due to the difference in height between Iwai and Takai.[3][4] Takai was the taller one of the two, with a height of about 5' 2'' (about 157.5 cm), while Iwai barely reached 4' 11'' (about 150 cm),[9][10] so the height difference was remarkable.[3][4] The contrast between Takai, who is reputed to be one of the most popular and beautiful girls in Onyanko Club, and Iwai, who is said to be a cute character like those in Anime, was also a topic of conversation.[1] The debut song, released in October 1985, with the same title as the subgroup's name, was No. 5 on the Oricon chart. However, the five singles subsequently released all reached No. 1.[1] They also released feature-length promotional video titled Magical Ushiroyubi Tour (マジカルうしろゆびツアー, Majikaru ushiroyubi Tsuā), filmed in Brazil.[7]
In April 1987, Takai graduated from Onyanko Club, and Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi also disbanded.[1][7] On this occasion, they both said that it was a very pleasant memory and that they loved this subgroup.[7] On the other hand, It is said that Takai and Iwai did not get along well.[11][12] Kasai claimed that although they had differences in orientation, they were not as incompatible as thought.[11] however, Iwai herself subsequently admitted on a TV program that she and Takai did not get along well.[12]
^Yasui, Makoto, ed. (1987-10-01).『おニャン子クラブパーフェクトbook』[Onyanko Club Perfect Book]. BOMB (BOMB) (in Japanese). No. October 1987. Tokyo, Japan: Gakken. pp. 106–108.
^ ab"高井麻巳子、斉藤由貴は親友？ゆうゆとは不仲だった？あと不仲だったメンバーはだれ？" [Is Makiko Takai a close friend of Yuki Saitō? Did she not get along with Yūyu? Who are the other members she didn't get along with?] (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: Byron-bay. 2020-06-01. Retrieved 2022-05-20.
