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The term enka refers to two styles of Japanese music. The first is a traditional type of music from both the Meiji period (1868–1912) and the Taisho period (1912–1926). The second is a genre of melodramatic Japanese popular songs, which has been likened to American country music in terms of themes and audience. The term now usually refers to the latter.

The term enka (演歌 — from 演 en performance, entertainment, and 歌 ka song) originated in Meiji Japan, with possible roots or influence from Korea or China. It began as a form of political dissent — speeches set to music to make them spread more easily — but quickly changed form. It was the first style to synthesize the Japanese pentatonic scale with Western harmonies. Enka lyrics usually are about the themes of love and loss, loneliness, enduring hardships, and persevering in the face of difficulties, even suicide or death. Enka suggests a more traditional, idealized, or romanticized aspect of Japanese culture and attitudes, comparable to American country and western music.

The most well-known and beloved performer of this genre is Hibari Misora (1937–1989), who was known as the "Queen of Enka" and "Queen of Showa" for the period (1926–1989) when she lived and was most popular.

In recent decades, enka music has declined in sales and in recognition as American-like J-Pop music has become more popular, and enka's traditional themes are no longer appreciated among younger Japanese generations. However, there are still many in Japan who enjoy this genre. Its popularity among younger Japanese people has increased lately because of singer Kiyoshi Hikawa and the early solo releases of then-Morning Musume member Yuko Nakazawa. Enka singers, who are predominantly women, usually perform in a kimono or in evening dress. Male enka performers tend to wear formal dress, or in some performances, traditional attire.

Nods to traditional Japanese music are common in enka, usually in the form of an interlude featuring instruments like the shinobue and the shamisen. Besides television, enka can be heard in many restaurants, drinking establishments, karaoke bars, and cafes.

In the United States, enka continues to remain popular among a section of the (typically older) Japanese-American population, and enka also has many fans among non-Japanese. There are some enka orchestras and performers active in the U.S., such as the San Jose Chidori Band, which occasionally performs at O-Bon festivals in the summer.

Contents 1 Enka artists 2 See also 3 External links 4 References

The following are famous enka artists:

• Akemi Misawa
• Aki Yashiro
• Akira kobayashi(also an actor)
• Akira Mita
• Aya Shimazu
• Ayako Fuji
• Chiyoko Shimakura
• Eisaku Ōkawa
• Eiko Segawa
• Frank Nagai
• Fuyumi Sakamoto
• Hachiro Izawa
• Hachiro Kasuga
• Haruo Minami
• Harumi Miyako
• Hibari Misora
• Hideo Murata
• Hiroshi Itsuki
• Ichiro Toba
• Ikuzō Yoshi
• Jiro Atsumi
• Jiro Kanmuri
• George Yamamoto
• Kaori Kōzai
• Kaori Mizumori
• Kaye Eunsook
• kazuo Funaki
• Keiko Fuji
• Kenji Niinuma
• Kiyoko Suizenji
• Kiyoshi Hikawa
• Kiyoshi Maekawa
• Koji Tsuruta(also an actor)
• Masao Sen
• Michiya Mihashi
• Mitsuko Nakamura
• Miyako Ōtsuki
• Miyuki Kawanaka
• Natsuko Godai
• Nobue Matsubara
• Osamu Miyaji
• Saburō Kitajima
• Sachiko Kobayashi
• Sayuri Ishikawa
• Shinichi Mori
• Shirō Miya
• Takashi Hosokawa
• Takeo Fujisima
• Takuya Jo
• Tendō Yoshimi
• Teresa Teng a Taiwanese singer who also sang enka
• Teruhiko Saigo
• Toshimi Tagawa
• Yukio Hashi
• Yōko Nagayama
• Yutaka Yamakawa

• Teuroteu - the Korean equivalent of enka

• Barbara's Enka Site including introductions to artist and album reviews
• Enka – Song of sweet resignation three page introduction
• Enka: Suffering and Nostalgia for an Imagined Past A nice introduction to enka, which also analyzes its lasting popularity

Yano, Christine R. Tears of Longing: Nostalgia and the Nation in Japanese Popular Song. Harvard University Asia Center: 2003.