[2026] A Collection of Masterpieces of Enka and Mood Kayō

airportTeresa Ten

Kuukou

It’s a classic by Teresa Teng, known as the Diva of Asia.

Though it’s a poignant ballad about parting with a loved one, it’s rich with the essence of mood kayō (Japanese popular ballads).

Released in July 1974, this song marked a major turning point in Teresa Teng’s music career in Japan.

It sold over 800,000 copies in total and won the New Artist Award at the 16th Japan Record Awards.

Centered on a farewell at a rainy airport, its lyrics and melody vividly evoke the scene and resonate with many listeners.

It’s a song that gives you the courage to overcome the sorrow of parting and take a new step forward.

Silver Butterfly Migratory BirdKaji Meiko

Silver Butterfly: Migratory Bird (from the Toei film "Silver Butterfly: Migratory Bird")

Released as the theme song for Toei’s 1972 yakuza film, this piece also serves as the title track of Meiko Kaji’s debut album.

Blending pop, enka, and psychedelic rock, it embodies a cinematic 1970s groove, with a melodic tune and emotionally rich lyrics that resonate deeply.

The lyrics and melody, closely tied to the film’s worldview, enhance the atmosphere of the entire work.

Coupled with Meiko Kaji’s powerful vocals, it vividly portrays a woman’s strength and inner turmoil as she faces heartbreak and life’s hardships.

If you’re a young music fan interested in Showa-era kayōkyoku, this is definitely worth a listen.

Yanagase BluesMikawa Ken’ichi

Yanagase Blues

Known as a quintessential mood kayō number, this song is the masterpiece that defined Kenichi Mikawa’s career.

Released by Nippon Crown in April 1966, it is set in the Yanagase shopping district of Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture, and portrays the pain and melancholy of heartbreak.

The lyrics by Hideo Usa symbolically express the sorrow of lost love through the image of crying in the night under the rain, deeply resonating with listeners.

The song was a major hit and became so popular that a film of the same title was produced in 1967.

It’s recommended not only for fans of enka and mood kayō, but also for younger music listeners interested in Shōwa-era pop.

I liked it.Tsuruta Koji

I liked it.

The work I’m introducing this time is a bittersweet love ballad sung by Koji Tsuruta, renowned as a leading actor of the Showa era.

The lyrics, which dwell on regret and lingering feelings for a former lover, vividly portray a man’s clumsy way of expressing love.

Released in 1956, the song is characterized by Tsuruta’s sweet vocals and a wistful melody.

The B-side of the single features “Machi no Sandwich Man,” and the release includes a total of four tracks, including karaoke versions.

Reissued in 1993, this piece is also recommended for younger music fans interested in Showa-era kayōkyoku.

It’s the perfect song for those troubled by love or in the mood to reflect on memories with someone special.

I go my own wayKitajima Saburō

I go my own way

A song packed with the weight of a life, powerfully affirming the path one has walked.

Released as a single in November 2025, it drew attention for extending an unprecedented streak of 64 consecutive yearly releases since his debut.

An album of the same name was released alongside it, distilling Saburo Kitajima’s unwavering conviction as he remains active even at age 88.

It portrays a man’s resolve to face hardships—rain and storms—head-on.

The arrangement moves from a steady, resonant low-mid register to a soaring chorus, lighting a passionate fire in the listener’s heart.

What are you doing tonight?Junretsu

[MV] Junretsu / What Are We Doing Tonight? [Recording Footage]

“What Are You Doing Tonight?” is a track included on the album Junretsu Spirit 2, released in November 2025, composed by folk legend Kosetsu Minami.

The lyrics—portraying an intense passion that defies restraint and the edgy games of mature romance—leave a strong impression.

It’s a superb fusion of the sultry allure of mood kayō with a sophisticated, urban pop sound.

Recommended for nighttime drives or for those seeking a mellow, intimate atmosphere.

lip service; idealistic talk; sugarcoatingOka Yuuko

Yuko Oka “Kireigoto” Music Video

Kireigoto is a single released in October 2025—an enka piece that powerfully portrays the dual nature of a woman’s heart.

Sung by veteran artist Yuko Oka from Saga Prefecture and released by King Records, the song features an all-star creative team: Kyosuke Kuni, Akihito Shikata, and Norio Ito.

It expresses the wavering emotions of a woman who moves between goddess and demoness, carried by a classic enka melody.

Highly recommended for those who enjoy elegant, woman-centered enka and for anyone looking for a satisfying karaoke number.