[2026] A Collection of Classic Enka Masterpieces Featuring Ships

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.

This may be sudden, but when you hear the word “enka,” what kind of lyrics come to mind?

Enka has always sung about timeless human dramas, and many people probably picture themes like the rough northern seas, ships, ports, and fishermen.

In fact, many classic enka songs feature ships, and there are plenty of famous tracks that vividly portray men who live by the sea.

In this article, we’ll introduce classic enka masterpieces in which “ships”—an element inseparable from the world of enka—play a central role.

The lineup also includes enka that symbolically features ships and port towns within stories of love between men and women, so even newcomers to enka should definitely check it out.

[2026] Collection of Classic Enka Masterpieces Featuring Ships (21–30)

The Northernmost RouteKouzai Kaori

Northernmost Route ♪ Kaori Kozai

The Northernmost RouteKouzai Kaori

This signature song by Kaori Kozai portrays a woman’s heart as she overcomes the pain of a broken heart and vows to start anew on a ship bound for the north.

The piece embodies both the profound sorrow that turns love into resentment and the iron resolve to cast off the past and never look back.

Blended with Kozai’s emotionally rich vocals, it strangely yet powerfully conveys the strength of a woman determined to rise from the brink of despair.

Released in March 2006 as her commemorative 20th-anniversary single, it became a long-running hit that remained on the Oricon charts for 52 weeks and was performed on that year’s NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

It was later included on the album “20th Anniversary Kaori Kozai Single Collection.” The song will deeply resonate with anyone resolved to make a fresh start in life.

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Port of Love and TearsKumagai Hiromi

Hiromi Kumagai “Koi-Naki Minato” Music Video

Port of Love and TearsKumagai Hiromi

An enka song that gently embraces the poignant nights of a port town.

Hiromi Kumagai’s clear, translucent voice delicately conveys the feelings of a woman bearing the pain of heartbreak.

Released in April 2025, this piece was born from an unreleased composition by the late master composer Shosuke Ichikawa, paired with lyrics by Takashi Manjo.

With Tatsuya Nango’s emotionally rich arrangement, the song’s allure is brought out even more.

Why not let your thoughts drift to the ache of lost love and the landscapes of memory?

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Strait Woman ShipMiko Takekawa

Strait Woman Ship

Strait Woman Ship Emiko Takekawa

This is a song by Mikiko Takegawa, notable for its emotionally rich vocals and wistful melody.

Released in April 2025, the lyrics were written by Mami Takubo and the music composed by Gendai Kano.

It dynamically portrays a woman’s single-minded feelings and love, offering a model for how to walk through life.

You can feel the inner strength of someone who continues to think of a loved one.

A gem of a track recommended for anyone who wants to savor the deep pathos of enka.

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Calm or stormIchijō Kanta

[New Song] “Calm or Storm” LIVE version.

Calm or stormIchijō Kanta

As the third installment in a series themed around the ocean, this work powerfully depicts fishermen who keep moving forward with unwavering resolve, whether the seas are calm or raging.

The lyrics by Takashi Banjo and the melody woven by Kenji Miyashita blend beautifully, while Kanta Ichijo’s clear, expansive vocals resonate deeply.

Brimming with speed and dynamism, this piece is sure to accompany those standing at a crossroads in life, offering courage to take a new step forward.

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Mother’s sea songMuraki Dan

Dan Muraki / Mother's Sea Song

Mother's sea songMuraki Dan

A heartwarming song that sings of the bonds of family through the sea.

Released in January 2025 as a single commemorating Dan Muraki’s 10th debut anniversary.

The lyrics—filled with feelings for a father who lives as a fisherman and the mother who supports him—leave a strong impression.

Told from the perspective of a son living in the city, its gratitude and concern for family resonate deeply.

It’s a song you’ll want to listen to when you wish to reaffirm your feelings for your family and loved ones.

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In conclusion

As I mentioned at the beginning, themes like ships and ports are indispensable to the enka genre, and even a quick glance at this list shows how many timeless masterpieces have been born in enka’s history. From the rough northern seas and the way men live, to love between men and women entrusted to a ship, these deeply flavored lyrics continue to portray the unchanging patterns of life even now in the Reiwa era, when social media connects the world instantly.