[Male Singers Edition] The face of New Year’s Eve! Enka singers who appeared on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen

Homeward Journey to the NorthKobayashi Akira

Akira Kobayashi “Hokkikō (Homeward to the North)” (Official Audio)

Akira Kobayashi supported the golden age of Nikkatsu action films and reigned as a silver-screen star.

He made his debut in 1956 with the film “Starving Soul,” and his tall stature and powerful physique cemented his nickname “Mighty Guy” for his tough-guy roles.

Alongside his acting career, he also thrived as a singer, boasting a wide repertoire ranging from film theme songs to mood kayō and sophisticated urban enka.

His baritone-leaning mid-to-low range, phrasing that shuttles between spoken delivery and song, and a singing style marked by raspy endings and a distinctive vibrato are truly one of a kind.

Standing 180 cm tall and holding a fifth-dan rank in judo, his martial-arts background contributed to the physicality that brought his on-screen action to life—one of his many charms.

Melancholy TrainMitsubishi Michiya

Melancholy Train

Michiya Mihashi, a giant of the enka world who epitomized the Showa era.

Born in Hokkaido, he showed talent for traditional folk songs from an early age and debuted in 1954 with “Sake no Nigasa yo” (The Bitterness of Sake).

The following year he released a smash hit and went on to produce numerous classics.

He was known for his clear, soaring high notes and distinctive kobushi vocal ornamentation cultivated through folk music, achieving such popularity that people said, “The day begins with Mihashi and ends with Mihashi.” In 1962, he won the Japan Record Award for Best Vocal Performance.

Also renowned as a master of the Tsugaru shamisen, he captivated young audiences.

He devoted himself to nurturing the next generation, founding the “Mihashi style” of folk singing, among other efforts—achievements of immeasurable significance.

At the End of the Journeykanmuri jiro

At the End of the Journey

Jiro Kanmuri, known as a standard-bearer of “neo enka” and “action enka,” debuted in 1967, but it was a long road to his big break.

His first hit came in 1977 with a song themed around a strait, and he followed it with a string of successes such as “Miren-zake” and “Sakaba.” His 1992 release featuring a motif of flames, with its distinctive phrasing, also won support from younger listeners.

He made his first appearance at the 42nd NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen and received numerous music awards.

He pursued a wide range of activities, including a tie-in series of songs with an izakaya chain and theme songs for tokusatsu shows.

With his unique persona, he also appeared on variety programs and was beloved by a broad audience.

Jiro Kanmuri is a recommended artist not only for fans of enka but also for those who enjoy something new.

Waltz of StarlightSen Masao

Waltz of Starlight

Masao Sen, known for his deeply emotional, nostalgia-tinged singing voice, made his debut in 1965 with “Kimi ga Suki” (I Love You).

A waltz themed around starlight released the following year became a hit around the fall of 1967 and went on to sell over a million copies.

This success led to his first appearance on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen in 1968.

In 1977, he released a song depicting scenes of the northern country; after performing it continuously for two years, it became a massive hit and also sold over a million copies.

He received the Long-Seller Award at the 21st Japan Record Awards, and the song gained popularity across Asia, including in China and Singapore.

Sen also has an unusual background: he earned airplane and helicopter licenses and owned a private Cessna.

He’s a highly recommended singer not only for fans of enka, but also for anyone interested in Showa-era kayōkyoku.

The Camellia Sasanqua InnŌkawa Eisaku

The Camellia Sasanqua Inn

Since his debut in 1969 with an interlude song for Shinitsuma Kagami, Eisaku Okawa has released a string of smash hits such as Sazanka no Yado and Eki, captivating many fans with his beautiful voice and delicate phrasing.

Alongside his illustrious achievements—including winning the Long Seller Award at the 24th Japan Record Awards and making his first appearance on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen—he has also earned acclaim for his acting, notably succeeding in a month-long run at the Shinjuku Koma Theater in 1986.

Okawa’s music is recommended not only for lovers of enka, but for all music fans drawn to rich expressiveness and a warm, resonant singing voice.

Parting Cedar (Farewell Cedar)Kasuga Hachirō

Parting Cedar (Farewell Cedar)

Born into a fisherman’s family, Hachiro Kasuga made his debut in 1952 with “The Last Train with the Red Lamp.” He then scored a massive hit with “O-Tomi-san,” instantly joining the ranks of popular singers.

Captivating many fans with his clear, beautiful high notes and emotionally rich singing, Kasuga recorded over 1,600 songs over his lifetime and became a nationally beloved enka singer, with total record sales exceeding 70 million.

His achievements were highly regarded: he received the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 1989 and the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette (Fourth Class) in 1991.

draft (cold air seeping through gaps)Sugi Ryōtarō

draft (cold air seeping through gaps)

Ryotaro Sugi stands out as a leading figure representing the enka scene of the Showa era.

He made his debut as a singer in 1965 with “Yaro-gasa,” and in 1976 achieved a million-selling hit with “Sukimakaze.” Beyond his work as an enka singer, he has also showcased his wide-ranging talents as an actor in period dramas such as “Toyama no Kin-san” and “Mito Komon.” He is dedicated to social contribution as well, becoming the first entertainer to receive the Green Ribbon Medal of Honor in 2008.

In 2016, he was also recognized as a Person of Cultural Merit, with his achievements acknowledged across many fields.