Reiwa era mustn't be missed: an enka singer with excellent vocals.
When you hear the term “enka singer,” what kind of performer comes to mind?
You might instantly picture a long-standing veteran who’s been singing for decades, but in recent years, thanks to karaoke TV shows and the like, more young singers have emerged, bringing a fresh sense of fun!
As for musical style, there’s been an increase in easy-to-listen-to songs that lean more toward pop these days.
Of course, there are the accomplished veterans, but with the influence of those programs as well, we’ll introduce talented enka singers who are approachable for all generations.
Give them a listen—you’ll likely feel enka become more familiar and appealing!
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- Male singers with great voices: a collection of cool, seductive vocals
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- Also great for karaoke with friends! Youthful songs that hype up the Reiwa era
Don't miss the Reiwa era, either: Top Enka singers with great vocals (21–30)
maneNagayama Yōko
This is a famous song by Ms.
Nagayama, said to have been created with the Habu couple from shogi as its motif.
I’ve heard that from the beginning of her career she wanted to sing enka, but because she was considered too young, she debuted as an idol, leveraging her cute looks.
She is one of the most beautiful and skilled singers in the enka world.
Brotherly Code of HonorKitajima Saburō
A classic song that everyone knows.
Toei even made several films with the same title as a series, and they were very popular.
The soaring high notes at the beginning are indescribable and really hit you.
When this song was first released, Kitajima was still too young to be called “the great master,” and the nickname Sabu-chan—like the energetic, youthful big brother next door—fit him perfectly.
In any case, he’s outstanding.
Ariake SeaKitayama Takeshi
When I first listened to this song, I finally understood—he really is worthy of being Sab-chan’s disciple.
Young enka singers have been on the rise lately, but Kitayama’s vocal ability is truly beyond question.
The lyrics are also wonderful; they were written by Mami Takubo, a female lyricist who is very active in the field, and this song was composed before she received the Japan Lyricist Award.
Yagiri no Watashi (Yagiri Ferry)Hosokawa Takashi
Takashi Hosokawa is an enka singer from Hokkaido.
He debuted in 1975 with “Kokoro no Kori,” selling 800,000 copies and sweeping the newcomer awards.
In 1982, he won the Japan Record Award for “Kita Sakaba,” and the following year achieved back-to-back wins with “Yagiri no Watashi.” A true talent, he also bears the Minyo Mihashi-ryu name “Michitaki Mihashi.” He was a regular on the variety show “Kin-chan no Dokomade Yaruno!” and was loved by a wide audience.
In June 2020, he remarried a non-celebrity woman.
To mark the 45th anniversary of his debut, he launched the Hosokawa Ichimon and is dedicated to training the next generation.
He’s a singer you should definitely listen to if you want to fully savor the charm of enka.
You and me, just the two of usItsuki Hiroshi
Among all the songs Mr.
Itsuki has released over his career as a singer, this is the masterpiece that became his biggest hit.
It is one of the three “Happy Enka” songs.
Only Mr.
Itsuki can evoke the world this song creates.
Compared to the original recording at the time of release, the current performances have gained a richer depth, revealing a different kind of appeal.
For reference, the other two are “Shiawase Sagashite” and “Futari no Yoake.”
omamori (a Japanese amulet/charm)Kadokawa Hiroshi
Ms.
Kadokawa debuted around the same time as the duo Pink Lady and is a master of so-called “onna-uta” (songs sung from a woman’s perspective).
She’s at such a high level that even Mr.
Hiroshi Itsuki has given her his seal of approval.
This song could be said to distill Ms.
Kadokawa’s talents.
It’s a work by the renowned duo Toyohisa Araki and Takashi Miki, who released many songs for Teresa Teng.
Naruto StraitGodai Natsuko
Ms.
Godai has also sung a great many classic songs.
I think she’s been fortunate to work with excellent lyricists and composers.
Although she herself is said to be a brisk, no-nonsense Edokko with a tomboyish personality, I like her best when she sings songs whose heroine is a woman enduring a painful love.