A roundup of leading female enka singers representing the Showa era
While the origins of enka are said to date back to the Meiji era, the form of “enka” most people imagine is believed to have been established around the late 1960s.
Today, many singers who are categorized as enka performers incorporate a variety of genres and are active across the music scene—some even enjoy idol-level popularity.
This article compiles the representative female enka singers who colored the Showa era—artists indispensable to any discussion of the enduringly popular genre of enka.
From those who have already passed on to those still performing actively in the Reiwa era, take this opportunity to learn about the histories of these great songstresses.
By the way, we’ve rounded up male singers in another article, so be sure to check that out as well!
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Top 10 iconic female enka singers of the Showa era (1–10)
Married Couple BoatMikasa Yūko
Yuko Mikasa is known as an enka singer and rōkyoku storyteller from Ehime Prefecture.
She made her debut in 1977, and in 1979 she had a major breakthrough with her “Husband and Wife Trilogy.” Her signature songs have sold a cumulative million copies and even reached No.
25 on the Oricon weekly chart.
In recognition of these achievements, she received the Long Seller Award at the 24th Japan Record Awards.
Mikasa’s appeal lies in her powerful yet delicate voice and the vocal expressiveness forged by her life experiences.
Stories such as how she married before her debut and kept the fact that she had three children under wraps, as well as the strength she showed in overcoming the tragedy of losing her husband in an accident, have endeared her to fans.
Even while battling depression and hepatitis, she has continued to take the stage for rōkyoku performances—her passion shows no sign of fading.
She is recommended not only for enka fans but for anyone seeking songs imbued with the depth of life.
Memories SakeKobayashi Sachiko
Since her dazzling debut in 1964 as a “genius young singer,” Sachiko Kobayashi has led Japan’s music scene for nearly 60 years.
She produced numerous hit songs, including “Omoide-zake” and “Tomarigi,” and in 1979 won the Best Vocal Performance at the 21st Japan Record Awards.
On NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen, her lavish, extravagant costumes astonished viewers, earning her the affectionate nickname “Last Boss.” Beyond her career as an enka singer, she has also been active as a voice actress and a virtual YouTuber.
Her overwhelming vocal prowess and expressive power, along with her constant drive to take on new challenges, have captured the hearts of people across generations.
She is a recommended artist not only for enka fans but also for anyone who wants to enjoy a wide range of musical genres.
Kawachi Otoko-bushiNakamura Mitsuko
Mitsuko Nakamura has long been beloved as an enka singer who embodies Osaka’s downtown culture.
Born in 1950 in Higashi-Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, she has been a leading figure of Kansai-born enka since her major debut in 1986.
Her signature songs include “Kawachi Otoko Bushi” and “Osaka Jouwa ~Uchi to Issho ni Narehenka~,” and she is acclaimed for her expressive ability to move seamlessly between spoken narration and song.
In 1997, she won the Japan Record Awards’ Best Vocal Performance, and she has also appeared on the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen since 1992.
In addition, through the Mitsumame-kai guide dog training support activity she started in 1993, she has helped bring a total of 43 “Mitsuko-go” guide dogs into the world.
Compilation of representative female enka singers of the Showa era (11–20)
wintering swallowMori Masako
Masako Mori burst onto the Showa-era enka scene like a comet.
She debuted in 1972 with “Sensei,” and, together with her peers Momoe Yamaguchi and Junko Sakurada, gained popularity as the “Hana no Chūsan Trio” (the Blooming Ninth-Graders Trio).
In 1973, at just 15, she made her first appearance on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen, setting a then-record as the youngest female performer—a remarkable feat! She went on to cement her status as an enka singer, winning the Best Vocal Performance at the 25th Japan Record Awards for “Ettō Tsubame.” She was famously cherished by Hibari Misora and even received direct vocal coaching from her.
Mori’s songs, which captivated many fans with her clear voice and assured technique, continue to be loved today.
They come highly recommended not only for enka fans but also for anyone interested in Showa-era music.
Keiko’s Dream Opens at NightFuji Keiko
Keiko Fuji, also known as the mother of Hikaru Utada, was a female singer who took Japan’s kayōkyoku and enka scenes by storm from the late 1960s to the early 1970s.
Born to parents who were rokyoku performers, she grew up immersed in the world of entertainment and debuted in September 1969 with “Shinjuku no Onna.” Her low, husky, slightly raspy voice and a singing style packed with uncontainable emotion came to be called “enka of resentment,” and with an expressiveness beyond her teenage years, she quickly gained popularity.
In 1970, she won the inaugural Japan Kayō Awards and received the Popularity Award at the 12th Japan Record Awards, rising to national stardom.
That same year, she also made her first appearance on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
She’s a singer I’d recommend if you want to immerse yourself in a world of wistful, melancholic songs.
Not even worth confessingKitahara Mirei
Mirei Kitahara is an enka singer from Aichi Prefecture.
She made her debut in 1970 with “Zange no Neuchi mo Nai,” with lyrics by Yu Aku and music by Kunihiko Murai.
She continued to be highly active, and in 1975 scored a major hit with “Ishikari Banka.” Written by Rei Nakanishi and composed by Keisuke Hama, the song won the Lyrics Award and the Arrangement Award at the Tokyo Music Festival.
Kitahara’s deep, resonant voice and richly emotive expression have continued to capture the hearts of many.
She also has a surprising side: in high school, she was a tennis scholarship student.
Many of her songs depict the sorrows and joys of life and the complexities of human relationships, eliciting strong empathy from listeners.
For those seeking enka that truly resonates with the heart, Kitahara’s music is highly recommended.
A Woman’s HarborŌtsuki Miyako
Since her debut in 1964, Miyako Otsuki—the queen of enka—has remained at the forefront from the Showa era through Heisei and into Reiwa.
Nurturing a passion for singing since her childhood in her hometown of Yao City, Osaka Prefecture, Otsuki scored a major hit with “Onna no Minato” in 1983 and fulfilled her long-held dream of making her first appearance on NHK’s Kohaku Uta Gassen in 1986.
She went on to perform there ten times by 1996, and her talent has been widely recognized, including winning the Japan Record Award in 1992 for “Shiroi Kaikyo.” While her trademark is performing in traditional kimono, she has recently taken on the challenge of singing in Western-style attire as well, constantly pursuing new horizons.
She is a highly recommended singer not only for those who want to enjoy classic enka masterpieces, but also for anyone interested in experiencing Japan’s musical culture!