King Record Artists

King Record Artists Co., Ltd. is a Japanese record company and a subsidiary of King Record Co., Ltd., part of the Kodansha-centered Otowa Group. It was originally established in 1972 as Bellwood Records Co., Ltd., a label created within King Record to produce folk and rock music. The label was named by director Mitsunori Miura, combining the name of literary department head Suzuki. After a hiatus from 1979, it resumed activities in 2001, focusing on indie bands, easy listening, and anime song singers. On June 21, 2026, the company changed its name to King Record Artists Co., Ltd. to optimize business within the King Record Group and strengthen music artist-centered business IP development. The Bellwood Records label continues as a label under the new company, and its catalog is inherited by King Record Artists.

King Record Artists Co., Ltd. was originally founded in 1972 as Bellwood Records Co., Ltd., a label within King Record. The label was created by director Mitsunori Miura, who was inspired by the success of the second All Japan Folk Jamboree in 1970, which drew nearly 10,000 spectators. Miura believed folk music could be commercially viable. In 1971, he produced the hit song "Shuppatsu no Uta" by Tsunehiko Kamijo + Rokumonsen, which led King Record to establish a full-fledged folk/rock label. The name "Bellwood" was coined by Miura by combining the name of literary department head Suzuki. In 1973, Bellwood was incorporated as King Bellwood Records Co., Ltd., with King Record president Ryoko Machijiri as president. The label's first release was "Akairo Elegy" by Morio Agata in April 1972, which became a big hit. The label attracted artists from URC, including Happi Endo, Kyozo Nishioka, and others. However, by 1974, as artists like Takuro Yoshida and Yosui Inoue became major stars, Bellwood artists were seen as minor. Miura left the label in 1974 and moved to the United States. The label's activities ceased in 1978 after the release of Goro Nakagawa's album. The corporate entity became dormant. In 2001, the company resumed activities, focusing on indie bands, easy listening, and anime song singers. Initially, it handled consignment sales for indie labels, but from around 2005, it began producing and releasing original recordings. It also reissued works from the first period. On June 21, 2026, the company changed its name to King Record Artists Co., Ltd. to optimize business within the King Record Group and strengthen music artist-centered business IP development. The Bellwood Records label continues as a label under the new company, and its catalog is inherited by King Record Artists.

• 2026

  Company renamed King Record Artists Co., Ltd. on June 21.

• 2001

  Company resumes activities, focusing on indie and anime music.

• 1978

  Label activities cease after Goro Nakagawa's album.

• 1974

  Mitsunori Miura leaves the label.

• 1973

  Incorporated as King Bellwood Records Co., Ltd.

• 1972

  Bellwood Records founded within King Record; first single "Akairo Elegy" by Morio Agata released.

A subsidiary label of King Record specializing in folk, rock, indie, and anime music, with a historical legacy in Japanese folk and rock.

Product categories. Records · CDs · Music production · Artist management

1. 1キングレコードアーティスツ - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org
2. 2King Record Artists - Wikidatawikidata.org