A roundup of enka singers who have been active since childhood
When you think of the world of enka, many of you may imagine a “grown-up realm where one has tasted the sweet and bitter of life.” However, there are also performers who debuted as enka singers in childhood and have been active across a wide range of fields.
In this article, we’ll introduce enka singers who have been active since they were children.
Their pure, innocent voices and endearing gestures—unique to children—are full of charm, so take this opportunity to discover what makes them so appealing.
- [Rising Star] Teenage Female Enka Singer
- A roundup of female enka singers in their 20s: The young divas of the enka world
- [Enka] A special feature on female singers in their 30s: Kayō singers whose music goes beyond enka
- Debut songs of enka singers in the 2000s
- A roundup of female enka singers in their 70s: voices that evoke nostalgia
- [2026] Enka Singer from Tohoku
- A roundup of 40-something female enka singers with captivating voices
- A roundup of male enka singers in their 80s: veterans who left their mark on the enka world
- A roundup of captivating enka female singers in their 50s [2026]
- [2026] A roundup of female enka singers in their 60s: Artists who support Japanese enka
- [Topic] Teen Male Enka Singer
- Diva of Enka: A roundup of female singers leading the enka world
- A roundup of leading female enka singers representing the Showa era
Compilation of enka singers who have been active since childhood (1–10)
Migratory Bird Bearing TearsSuizenji Kiyoko
With her lively singing voice and kimono worn in a casual male style, she quickly became a star.
Later, she also thrived as an actress, hosting NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen and starring in “Arigatō,” which was recently ranked the most memorable TV drama.
She had firmly refused acting offers, insisting, “If I act, my records won’t sell,” but eventually gave in, reluctantly accepting after persistent solicitation from a producer.
Hanjirō of the Hakone Eight RiHikawa Kiyoshi
In the Showa era, J-pop and enka complemented each other well, and both were released as popular songs.
Many enka singers who debuted in this period are still active on the front lines as formidable talents.
Among the promising young artists, Kiyoshi Hikawa, who debuted in 2000, was a key contributor who revitalized the enka world—both with his looks and his skill—at a time when it was in a slump.
Hide-and-seekIshikawa Sayuri
She was one year older than Masako Mori, and when she first debuted, she wore a hat that seemed a bit like an imitation of Junko Sakurada’s.
There was a time when she didn’t sell well, overshadowed by Momoe Yamaguchi, Junko Sakurada, and Masako Mori—the “Flower Trio of Ninth Graders.” Her big break came with Tsugaru Kaikyo Fuyugeshiki in 1977.
An enka singer is, after all, best suited to enka.
Compilation of enka singers active since childhood (11–20)
Kappa Boogie WoogieMisora Hibari
This is Hibari Misora’s singing voice at age 12 in 1949, but it doesn’t feel like a child’s song, does it? However, because Hibari Misora’s singing ability was too outstanding, she actually didn’t pass contests like amateur singing competitions.
She seemed too polished, and judges criticized her for not sounding childlike.
It seems she couldn’t avoid this criticism for a while even after her debut.
That’s a problem.Miyako Harumi
Harumi Miyako’s distinctive vocal ornamentation (kobushi) is not something easily imitated, but there was once a singer who performed in front of her and sounded exactly like her: Sayuri Ishikawa.
Miyako herself burst out laughing.
Masako Mori sang “Namida no Renrakusen” in the final round of a competition, and it seems that Harumi Miyako is someone today’s active enka singers look up to.
Spring is SA-RA SA-RANagayama Yōko
Yoko Nagayama, who is now active as an enka singer, actually debuted not in enka but as an idol singing J-pop.
However, even at 16, Nagayama had received solid vocal training as an enka singer and had excellent singing ability, but she couldn’t go against the voices around her saying, “Enka at 16 is too soon!” and gave up.
Most likely, because she had such a cute face, they wanted to promote her as an idol.
Rain TavernKouzai Kaori
Many enka singers have studied folk songs.
Kaori Kozai also won awards for folk singing from a young age, and under the name “Kaori Kō,” she even released folk music records.
Although she once took a job at a bank, she couldn’t give up on becoming a singer, and in 1988 she finally achieved her long-awaited debut.