A roundup of male enka singers who represent the Showa era
In the 2020s, the term “Seventh Generation of Enka” has emerged, and the genre is thriving as young talents make their debuts one after another.
While enka is said to trace its origins back to the Meiji era, the style most people associate with “enka” is believed to have been established around the late 1960s.
In this article, we’ve compiled a selection of representative male enka singers who brought color to the Showa era—artists who are indispensable when discussing the history of enka, a genre with enduring popularity.
From those who have already departed to those still actively performing in the Reiwa era, take this opportunity to learn about the legends who built enka.
By the way, we’ve put together a separate article on female singers, so be sure to check that out as well!
- A roundup of male enka singers in their 70s: legendary vocalists who support the enka world
- [Male Singers Edition] The face of New Year’s Eve! Enka singers who appeared on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen
- A roundup of male enka singers in their 80s: veterans who left their mark on the enka world
- [Enka] Songs That Are Easy to Sing Even for the Tone-Deaf [Male Singer Edition]
- [For Beginners] Recommended Enka Masterpieces for Karaoke — Male Singers Edition
- [2026] Enka Singer from Tohoku
- [2026] Amazing If You Can Sing It! Classic Enka Masterpieces [Male Singers Edition]
- [For Men] Masterpiece Enka Songs with High Difficulty
- A roundup of leading female enka singers representing the Showa era
- [2026] Enka Songs That Are Hard to Sing – Male Singers Edition
- [2026] All-Time Enka Sales Ranking
- [2026] Easy-to-Sing Enka: From Timeless Classics to Recent Hits [Male Singers Edition]
- [2026] Enka’s Seventh Generation! A roundup of young enka singers
Top male enka singers representing the Showa era (1–10)
The Life of Mutsu (Including “A Thousand Ryō of Guts”)Murata Hideo
Hideo Murata rose from the world of rōkyoku narrative singing to become a postwar pop star and a leading figure of the Shōwa-era enka scene.
Debuting in 1958 with “Muhōmatsu no Isshō,” he joined the ranks of popular singers with the 1961 hit “Ōshō.” Known for a powerful voice honed through rōkyoku and a distinctly masculine worldview, he produced many hits including “Jūdō Ichidai” and “Otoko no Dohyō.” He appeared on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen a total of 27 times, including 12 consecutive years from 1961 to 1972—a testament to his proven talent.
Even while battling diabetes, he continued to sing, leaving a lasting impression on many fans.
He is highly recommended for those drawn to the appeal of masculine enka.
Chanchiki OdesaMinami Haruo
Haruo Minami is one of the leading masters who represented the Showa-era enka scene.
With a background as a rōkyoku storyteller, he changed his stage name to “Haruo Minami” and debuted in the popular music world in 1957.
He quickly became a star with his unique “kayō-rōkyoku” style, which fused rōkyoku narrative singing with pop/enka.
He was also responsible for songs for national events such as the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and the 1970 Osaka Expo.
He is known for his respectful attitude toward audiences, famously coining the phrase, “The customer is God.” His achievements are manifold, including receiving the Medal with Purple Ribbon and the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette.
He is a recommended artist not only for those interested in the history of enka and Japanese popular music, but also for anyone who fondly remembers the Showa era.
A solitary journey to MichinokuYamamoto Jōji
Joji Yamamoto rose to fame with a folk song-style piece themed around “Michinoku.” He debuted under his real name in 1976 after winning through on Yomiuri TV’s All-Japan Kayō Championship, but a major hit initially eluded him.
Amidst that, a song he released in 1980 became a breakout success the following year after his appearance on Fuji TV’s Night Hit Studio.
He won the Japan Record Award’s Long Seller Award and made his first appearance on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
With his uniquely wistful voice and delicate expressiveness, Yamamoto has continued to captivate many fans.
In recent years, under the banner of the “Joji Yamamoto Heavy Metal Transformation Project,” he has even ventured into collaborations with heavy metal.
His willingness to explore new horizons beyond the confines of enka makes him a compelling recommendation for music fans across genres.
Male enka singers representing the Showa era (11–20)
Waltz of StarlightSen Masao
Known for a voice that evokes deep emotion and nostalgia, Masao Sen made his debut in 1965 with “Kimi ga Suki.” The following year, he released a waltz themed around starlight, which 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 the scenery of Japan’s northern regions; after performing it continuously for two years, it became a massive hit and also surpassed one million sales.
He received the Long-Seller Award at the 21st Japan Record Awards, and the song gained popularity across Asia, including in China and Singapore.
Masao Sen also has the unusual background of holding airplane and helicopter licenses and owning a private Cessna.
He is a recommended artist not only for fans of enka, but also for anyone interested in Shōwa-era popular music.
Oh, sake!Yoshi Ikuzo
Ikuzo Yoshi is known as a distinctive singer who represents the Showa-era enka scene.
He debuted in 1977 with the folk-tinged “Ore wa Zettai! Presley,” and has continued to thrive across a wide range of styles, from comical dialect songs to authentic enka.
In 1984, the song he wrote for Masao Sen, “Tsugaru Heiya,” became a hit.
That same year, his own “Ora Tokyo sa Iguda” became a nationwide smash, bringing him broad recognition.
In 1986, he won the Japan Record Award Gold Prize for “Yukiguni.” Since then, he has produced numerous hits such as “Sake yo” and “Suika,” solidifying his status as an enka singer.
In 2019, he even released a rap song entirely in the Tsugaru dialect, continuing to embrace new challenges.
Yoshi’s appeal lies in his unfettered musicality that transcends the boundaries of enka, and he is highly regarded for his talents as a singer-songwriter.
Parting Cedar (Farewell Cedar)Kasuga Hachirō
Born into a fisherman’s family, Hachirō Kasuga made his debut in 1952 with “Akai Ranpu no Shū Ressha” (The Last Train under the Red Lamp).
He then scored a massive hit with “Otosan,” quickly 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, becoming a nationally beloved enka singer whose total record sales exceeded 70 million.
His achievements have been highly recognized, including receiving the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 1989 and the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays, in 1991.
As an indispensable figure in the history of Shōwa-era enka, his music continues to be loved by many to this day.
His songs are highly recommended not only for enka fans but also for anyone interested in Shōwa-era popular music.
At the End of the Journeykanmuri jiro
Mr.
Jirō Kanmuri, known as a standard-bearer of “neo enka” and “action enka,” debuted in 1967, but it was a long road before his major breakthrough.
His first hit came with a 1977 release themed around a strait, and he followed it with a string of successes such as “Miren-zake” and “Sakaba.” His 1992 song featuring a motif of flames used a distinctive phrase that won support from younger listeners.
He made his first appearance at the 42nd NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen and received numerous music awards.
He also pursued a wide range of activities, including a tie-in song series with an izakaya chain and theme songs for tokusatsu shows.
With his unique personality, he appeared on variety programs and was beloved by a broad audience.
Mr.
Jirō Kanmuri is a recommended artist not only for enka fans but also for those who enjoy something new.