Debut song of an enka singer
Speaking of enka, it has long been cherished as the music of the Japanese heart, beloved by people of all ages.
It is also a genre that has produced countless star singers.
This time, we’re featuring the debut songs of such enka performers.
You can even catch glimpses of the fresh, early sides of singers who are now considered living legends.
- Debut songs of enka singers in the 2000s
- Popular Enka Singers Ranking [2026]
- [1980s] A roundup of debut songs by enka singers
- [2026] A roundup of female enka singers in their 60s: Artists who support Japanese enka
- Cool masterpieces of enka, the heart of Japan
- A roundup of hit enka songs from the Heisei era
- [Enka] A special feature on male singers in their 40s: enka artists you can’t afford to miss right now
- A roundup of male enka singers who represent the Showa era
- Classic enka songs you’ll want to sing at karaoke: recommended popular tracks
- Great enka masterpieces and hit songs of the 1970s
- Great enka masterpieces and hit songs of the 1990s
- [Female Singers Edition] The face of New Year’s Eve! Enka singers who appeared on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen
- [Enka] A special feature on male singers in their 20s. Glamorous charm.
Debut songs by enka singers (41–50)
one-way ticketKitayama Takeshi
At 16, he debuted under the stage name Koichi Ohira, but he didn’t sell at all and once returned to his hometown in Fukuoka Prefecture.
However, at 21 he went back to Tokyo and reportedly became a disciple of the famous Saburo Kitajima.
Despite being in training, he began dating Kitajima’s second daughter around his third year as a disciple, but because he felt it was inappropriate for someone in his position, they kept the relationship hidden for eight years.
Eyeless ploverOkawa Eisaku
Upon graduating from high school, I became a disciple of composer Masao Koga, and my debut song was also a revival of a piece by Noboru Kirishima.
Perhaps because I am considered Koga’s last disciple, I have been steadily continuing to sing Koga melodies.
In recent years, I have also been composing under the pen name Ryūhei Chikushi.
Migratory bird wearing hakamaShimazu Aya
In fact, “Hakama-wearing Migratory Bird” was originally supposed to be sung by the popular singer Midori Hatakeyama, but at the last minute Kiyoko Suizenji changed the title to “Migratory Bird Holding Tears” and ended up singing it.
That said, AYA Shimazu’s song is not a cover but an original.
It’s a bit confusing because only the title shares the same source material as Kiyoko Suizenji’s debut song.