Recommended enka set in autumn: a collection of heart-touching masterpieces

Cosmos Flowers of the NorthKimu Yonja

Cosmos Flowers of the North

Kim Yonja is an enka singer born in South Korea, widely loved both in Japan and abroad since her 1974 debut.

“Kita no Akizakura” (Autumn Cosmos of the North) was released on September 25, 2003, and captured many listeners’ hearts with its profound emotion and vivid depictions of nature.

The song delicately yet powerfully portrays the feelings of a woman experiencing heartbreak and loneliness.

Notably, its lyrics use the motif of cosmos flowers blooming in the northern autumn to evoke a sense of longing, solitude, and lingering attachment.

While carrying bittersweet emotions, the solace found in nature’s beauty makes it a perfect fit for the autumn season.

It’s highly recommended as a song that will resonate deeply on long autumn nights.

Autumn breezeYoshi Ikuzo

Autumn Wind. Ikuzo Yoshi wmv

Ikuzo Yoshi is a singer from Aomori Prefecture, born in 1952, who has worked across a wide range of musical genres.

“Akikaze” is a single released on May 12, 2010, depicting feelings of love from a woman’s perspective, and it’s striking in how strongly it conveys the wish to be with the one she loves.

It conveys love and loneliness, the transience of life, and really pierces the heart.

Yoshi’s distinctive voice deeply resonates with listeners.

It’s a song you’ll want to listen to on long autumn nights, during lonely moments spent alone, or when thinking of someone far away.

Castle of White CloudsHikawa Kiyoshi

Kiyoshi Hikawa / Castle of White Clouds [Official]

Since its 2003 release, Kiyoshi Hikawa’s “Hakuun no Shiro” has been cherished, especially among enka fans.

The song features a grand theme depicting the scenery of an ancient castle that evokes memories of bygone glory, with Hikawa’s clear, pure vocals further enhancing its atmosphere.

Its heartrending yet beautiful melody, paired with lyrics that contrast the unchanging constancy of nature with the ever-shifting emotions of people, resonates deeply with listeners.

It’s a perfect song for autumn—recommended when you feel lonely or want to indulge in a touch of sentimentality.

It’s a wonderful work that conveys Japan’s beautiful landscapes and emotional sensibility, not only for fans of enka but for anyone at all.

Brocade AutumnShimazu Aya

Brocade Autumn

Since her debut in 1986, Aya Shimazu has captivated countless listeners with her overwhelming vocal prowess.

Showcasing a wide musical range, she doesn’t confine herself to enka—she also takes on J-pop and Western covers.

Her release on March 16, 2022, “Kinshūfu,” shines with her deeply expressive artistry as an enka singer.

Set against the vivid autumn scenery of turning leaves, its lyrics—centered on the bond between parent and child—resonate deeply.

The moving story follows a protagonist who lost her mother in childhood and grew up without knowing her love, only to become a mother herself and rediscover that maternal bond.

It’s a song you’ll want to listen to together as a family.

autumn showerFutami Souichi

autumn shower

We’ve received a song from Soichi Futami that gently portrays the Japanese autumn.

With a heartrending voice, he weaves scenes of immersing oneself in memories on a rainy night.

His expansive vocals, honed through folk music, match beautifully with traditional Japanese imagery.

This track is included in Futami’s fifth-anniversary best-of album, “Yamabiko Best,” released in July 2023.

It’s a piece you’ll want to savor quietly on a long autumn night.

Highly recommended not only for enka fans but also for anyone who wants to feel the changing seasons of Japan.

Village AutumnMiyama Hiroshi

Village Autumn

This is a song that captures the deeply moving spirit of autumn in Japan.

Hiroshi Miyama’s warm voice gently paints a nostalgic portrait of an autumn countryside.

Included on the album “Kokoro no Uta 2: Hiroshi Miyama Sings Lyric Songs,” it was released in September 2022.

As a cover of a traditional Japanese lyric song, this track showcases Miyama’s wide musical range.

His singing, inspired by the nature of his hometown in Kochi Prefecture, resonates quietly in the listener’s heart.

It’s perfect for a relaxed moment by the window at autumn dusk.

Highly recommended when you want a little peace of mind or a calm, gentle mood.

sunset cloudsSen Masao

sunset clouds

A classic song that vividly captures the emotions of an autumn dusk is Masao Sen’s “Yuyakegumo” (Evening Clouds).

Sung from the perspective of a young person who has left their hometown and dreams of making it in the big city, the song is filled with a poignant charm that resonates with many.

Released in March 1976, it has long been cherished as one of Sen’s signature pieces.

Its lyrics, portraying the pull of one’s hometown and the struggle for success in the city, overlapped with the backdrop of Japan’s period of rapid economic growth and struck a chord with countless listeners.

It’s the perfect track for those reflective moments on an autumn evening.