As a rock star, Koshi was something of a late bloomer. Unlike Tak, who became obsessed with the guitar, recognized his life's calling, and threw everything else to the winds to spend time with his beloved instrument, Koshi dutifully went through his studies and set goals that generally meet with much parental approval. It is my firm belief that had he not become B'z Koshi Inaba, he would have made a very fine math teacher. His transformation from this (a little bit) nerdy, good boy (see pic below) to today's stunning rock icon is pretty amazing. Does it give hope to us all? :D

Apparently one of those people who have to read through something only once to retain it in memory, Koshi got along very well indeed in high school. He was also a well-mannered young man who still greeted his elementary school teachers and played tennis.

When it came time to take the university exams, Koshi marked out Yokohama University, one of the country�s top 3 universities, as his choice. His exam score ended up being the 3rd highest in Japan. I think we can all agree that Koshi Inaba is one smart guy.

Koshi set off for Yokohama University and entered the mathematics program. He really seems to have been good in every subject at school. I say this again, overachiever. During this period, what had been just a regular interest in music became something more. Koshi participated in a band and caught the singing bug. His tastes leaned towards hard rock and Western music.

He also tutored at an elementary school during this time. Because he wore his hair long then, he was singled out by the kids, who labeled him, �very repulsive.� However, he persisted in keeping his hair that way, and after some time spent together, the children honestly liked him, and they all got along together extremely well.

Later, Koshi went to teach at a middle school and was criticized by his students again. This time the professor spoke to him and asked him to cut his hair. But Koshi refused. Maybe his rebellious side was coming out.

According to the Koshi discography, he worked on 2 EMI label albums for other artists during the Yokohama University years. I believe he was probably doing some side work and sending out demo tapes at this time ~ to EMI probably, which was how Tak later got a hold of it (they signed onto BMG EMI after they formed B'z). At that point, Koshi was already somewhat resigned to being a math teacher. Then his life took another turn, and the story becomes no longer just Koshi�s, but the B�z story, so please go read that in the Features section!

Koshi once jokingly described himself as a country boy. The first time he ever left Japan was for the recording of RISKY in Los Angeles. Well, that boy who used to wonder if he would ever be able to see things outside Tsuyama has traveled the world over by now. If anything, Inaba-san�s story shows us how rarely things turn out the way we plan! And that so many things don�t make sense until you look back ~ then you realize, as Inaba-san wrote, that �your past is all destiny.� sugita jikan wa subete destiny