[Enka/Kayōkyoku] Challenge! A collection of songs that make it easy to put in kobushi (melismatic embellishments)
The “kobushi” you often hear about in Enka singing refers to a technique where you momentarily raise and lower the pitch of the vowel in the sung melody.
The phrase “apply kobushi” means using this expressive technique to add variation to the melody and convey emotion—essentially serving as a spice for the song.
In this article, we’ll introduce recommended songs for those who are about to try “kobushi.” Since “kobushi” is a technique, proper practice is, of course, necessary to master it.
As a first step, try tackling the songs listed here!
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[Enka/Kayōkyoku] Challenge! A collection of songs that make it easy to use kobushi (vocal ornamentation) (11–20)
A Man’s LieMiyama Hiroshi
This song is recommended when you want to practice a natural, understated vocal scoop (kobushi) without forcing it.
It’s a track by Hiroshi Miyama, an enka singer from Kochi Prefecture, released in 2012 as his fifth single.
The lyrics portray the poignant feelings of a woman being strung along by a man, and perhaps because of Miyama’s crisp, articulate vocals, they really hit home.
It’s not the kind of emotionally heavy number that makes you clench your fist and belt it out, so I think you can relax and give it a try.
Still… Miyama’s “vitamin voice” is truly wonderful, isn’t it?
Northern fishing groundsKitajima Saburō
This is one of the signature songs of Saburō Kitajima, a legendary figure in the enka world.
You can picture him pushing through raging sea spray, advancing across the ocean toward his quarry.
The singing is striking for its calm yet valiant quality, conveying the scenes in the lyrics with certainty while quietly stirring the heart.
Precisely because the tempo is gentle, techniques that draw the listener into the song’s world feel especially important.
With its relaxed pace, it’s a piece well-suited to steadily practicing kobushi (enka-style vocal ornamentation), and it also invites you to consider how to use kobushi to depict the song’s imagery.
Even if it costs my lifeMori Shinichi
Shinichi Mori’s “Inochi Karitemo” is the perfect song for mastering kobushi! There are many techniques in singing, but one thing that’s universally important for learning any technique is to deliberately exaggerate it.
When practicing expressive techniques like kobushi, vibrato, or shakuri, you may sometimes feel unsure whether you’re actually doing them.
In those moments, it’s crucial to try them boldly to get a feel for the sensation.
Shinichi Mori is a master who can deliver bold expression, so let’s learn from his example! And when you practice, don’t forget to record your own voice and listen back objectively.
I’m falling in love with you againSakamoto Fuyumi
For those who usually sing pop but want to try enka, I recommend practicing with Fuyumi Sakamoto’s “Mata Kimi ni Koishiteru.” It’s a song many people know from the commercial, so most have probably heard it.
The advantage of choosing this song for practicing kobushi (the enka-style vocal ornament) is that its difficulty level is gentle.
Many enka singers have backgrounds in folk music, so their songs often contain highly advanced kobushi.
While you could simplify those for practice, arranging them can be a real challenge.
That’s why I suggest using kayōkyoku—songs closer to pop than to traditional enka—for practice.
Since this piece was originally released as kayōkyoku, it lets you practice kobushi more casually than with full-fledged enka.
A man’s backMasuiyama Tashirō
This is one of the signature songs by Taishiro Masuiyama, who, after a career as a sumo wrestler and stablemaster, has been active in the worlds of mood kayō and enka.
It’s a song with a sensual atmosphere that expresses a man’s way of life and his inner heart.
Precisely because the melody has little up-and-down movement and is sung straightforwardly, the expression of its worldview shines through in the use of subtle techniques.
The use of kobushi ornamentation seems to further emphasize the song’s sensual aesthetic.
And because it’s not a belting number, it also feels like you can really focus on practicing your kobushi.
Snow Heat HazeOka Midori
This is an enka song I’d love the younger generation to try! It’s a track by Midori Oka, an enka singer from Awaji City in Hyogo Prefecture, released as a single in 2022.
It features her expansive, beautiful vocals and lyrics that portray the emotions of a woman with a shadowed past toward the one she loves.
Thanks to its grand style, by the time it ends you’ll feel like you’ve watched a full-length film.
Sing it as if speaking for the protagonist’s heart, and put some vibrato into it.
Capturing the atmosphere may be challenging, but that’s exactly why you’ll feel leveled up once you’ve mastered it!
[Enka/Kayōkyoku] Challenge! A collection of songs that make it easy to use kobushi (vocal ornaments) (21–30)
Life’s journeyMisora Hibari
The songstress Hibari Misora, who left behind many masterpieces.
In addition to enka, she worked across a wide range of genres, from kayōkyoku to even jazz.
In this “Jinsei Ichiro,” while firmly retaining the essence of enka, the overall melody is crafted to be closer to a catchy kayōkyoku number.
Although it features many fine kobushi (melismatic turns), if you master the hiccup-style vocal technique, the kobushi remain within a range that can be reproduced without issue.
So if you have a certain understanding of enka, you should be able to sing it smoothly.
