Enka Music

Onigiri · May 24, 2003, 12:46

I recently hear some enka songs, and I like it very much. Does any one else listen to them? I have been interested in Rikki (The singer for Suteki Da Ne from Final Fantasy X). Can any one suggest a singer?

Mori · May 30, 2003, 02:42

I don't know if Rikki can be considered Enka...

Enka is just too terrible for me ^^;
I mean, some guy whining about his lost wife or something like that, and then this kind of music...it just sounds like...um...*runs away*

Twisted · May 30, 2003, 04:44

Although i will probably never embrace it, i do like to listen to it occasionally.
Kiyoshi Hikawa is currently very popular in Japan and i recently heard a song from the Rinken Band. It's quite entertaining.

Musashi · May 30, 2003, 05:54

Check out http://do-enka.com/index2.html for their video list. Connection can be tediously slow, but it's worth waiting for (at least for an enka fan ;))

thomas · May 30, 2003, 09:07

It's a pity Mike Cash discontinued his website Oldies.jp. Apart from oldies and jazzy stuff he offered hundreds of enka songs ranging from the 30s to the 70s for download.

ax · May 30, 2003, 12:33

is there no mirror thomas?

ax

thomas · May 30, 2003, 16:47

Unfortunately not. Try to contact Mike (here's his site), if you're kind he might send you a CD with selected songs.

tasuki · May 30, 2003, 17:03

Originally posted by Twisted
Although i will probably never embrace it, i do like to listen to it occasionally.
Kiyoshi Hikawa is currently very popular in Japan and i recently heard a song from the Rinken Band. It's quite entertaining.

Can the Rinken Band really be called enka? I thought they were Okinawan folk...

MHtrStevie · May 30, 2003, 20:56

I thought that too... I was under the impression both Rikki and Rinken Band were examples of modern Okinawan folk styles.

Although I've heard some enka songs which involve more traditional instrumentation (Takashi Hosokawa seems to do that a lot), others feature strings, guitars and even "big band" instrumentation with lots of horns and such. Maybe that's where the confusion came from...

Twisted · May 30, 2003, 21:45

Oh, you guys are probably right. I've never much looked into traditional Japanese music. I figured if it's not popmusic, it's Enka.

Rocketdive · Jun 1, 2003, 01:13

I like Enka, old singers like Kiyoshi Maekawa and Saburo Kitajima ^^;

Lil'Anij · Jun 28, 2003, 05:08

Well, I just tried out some enka of diferent artists, just took on what I could lay my hands on.
The were very different. Some of them sound quite nice, but others, well, they sound rather funny.
In Dusseldorf I saw a live performance of two enka... They sounded godd to me, but I can't remember the titles ^^

**Dutch Baka** · Apr 13, 2006, 04:07

Traditional Japanese music... ENKA. what do you know about it, what do you think of it, I actually don't know anything about Enka, but would like to know a bit more about it. and let other people hear it. Something different than Jpop/Rock

Searching for Enka, on you tube, I have found a couple of songs:
Kiyoshi Hikawa
What is he wearing? But he is the most popular Enka singer .

shimatani hitomi - osaka no onna
Nice song, and she looks pretty good!

Mizumori Kaori - Gonosen

nakazawa yûko- junjou koushinkyoku Really like the intro, and she looks nice

Read more about Enka

I hope that we can talk more about Traditional Japanese music, and not only the YOUNG!!! pop and rock music that is most on this Jpop section. So please share your opinion, and give us some great songs, or stories.

Coshh · Apr 13, 2006, 05:45

I have never listened to the Enka yet.

EDIT: I have listened to the links you posted, Dutch Baka; thank you very much!

Kiyoshi Hikawa - I find his voice a bit harsh, actually, and I don't like some of the vibrato

(ummm... his coat reminds me a little of Daigo Stardust, in fact, but... hehe... )

Shimatomi Hitomi - I like her voice!

But it's not as good as Utada's, I think... I like the guitar tone in this song though.

Mizumori Kaori - she has a lower voice, which is nice (I tend to prefer lower voice) but I find her high notes a bit nasal...

Nakazawa Yuko - she is my favourite of the ones you posted!

I really love her voice, it sounds so smooth and effortless!

(and yeah, the intro is cool! ^^)

Thanks for this; this is my first listening of traditional Japanese music!

Precious4e · Apr 13, 2006, 05:56

hmmm i watched some of the clips.....totally reminds me of the songs my parents listen to (except they listen to Chinese instead of Japanese). Gives me a retro feel.... everytime i listen to these songs i picture my parents or even grandparents when they were at my age dancing at some disco....well not disco... more like...dance halls??

**Uncle Frank** · Apr 13, 2006, 05:57

This type music was around in the 70's when I was in Japan. Like elevator music always in the background , I ignored it. Now, it awakens so many memories of the good old days, I could listen to it forever.

Frank

Coshh · Apr 13, 2006, 06:22

I liked the last one, Nakazawa Yuko. I could listen to that.

**Dutch Baka** · Apr 15, 2006, 07:59

I don't like all of them, but listening to it so now and then is pretty cool!!!

I wanne do Karaoke!!!!!!!!!

Coshh · Apr 16, 2006, 00:07

lol! I love karaoke... even though I don't do it very often.

I don't know that this is the right thread, but... when I think of "Japanese traditional music" I think of things older than Enka which is more like a type of "grandparents age music" if you get my meaning.

I'm interested to hear "old" Japanese music... can anyone recommend any groups that play traditional music that is "traditional" in the same way that European classical music post-20th-century would be considered "traditional"?

**Dutch Baka** · May 7, 2006, 05:04

Merged the this 2 threads to 1 main Enka thread

yelou · Oct 20, 2006, 04:41

Hello Everyone,
I am a fan of Enka. Enka is the japanese traditional Music.
The problem is that I speak Japanese a little...
So, someone can help me to translate these 2 songs of Enka please :
A)
youtube.com/watch?v=hsWRRhxL838
My favorite singer : Otowa Shinobu San

( there is subtitle if it can helps you )
B)
youtube.com/watch?v=UY7Z_fie0SQ&mode=related&search=
My other favorite singer : Yoko Nagayama

If you need, I can help you for French

Thanks a Lot

ps : Sorry, but I don' t understand why the post is shown 2 times in
two differents part...

ricecake · Oct 20, 2006, 06:34

I too,a fan of Japanese Enka music.My favorite singer was and still is Aki Yashiro,her early 1980's hit song titled " Funa-Uta " has long-lasting impression on me.

I can't help on French language translation,my Japanese music CD copies come with Chinese translated lyrics.

yelou · Oct 20, 2006, 06:40

If the translation is in English, it is ok for me

leonmarino · Oct 20, 2006, 17:08

Enka rocks!! One of my fave songs is Kaette Koiyo. I couldn't find a YouTube clip.

I would love to help you with the translation but I think my Japanese is not that good.

yelou · Oct 20, 2006, 21:49

leonmarino : Never Mind

May 24, 2003, 12:46	#1
Onigiri Junior Member Join Date: Apr 10, 2003 Age: 21 Posts: 6	Enka style I recently hear some enka songs, and I like it very much. Does any one else listen to them? I have been interested in Rikki (The singer for Suteki Da Ne from Final Fantasy X). Can any one suggest a singer?

May 30, 2003, 04:44	#3
Twisted That man in the corner Join Date: Mar 15, 2002 Location: The Netherlands Age: 35 Posts: 1,456	Although i will probably never embrace it, i do like to listen to it occasionally. Kiyoshi Hikawa is currently very popular in Japan and i recently heard a song from the Rinken Band. It's quite entertaining. __________________ ZenLog Earotic

May 30, 2003, 05:54	#4
Musashi The Phoenix Swordsman Join Date: Mar 14, 2003 Location: Belgian in Japan Age: 29 Posts: 47	Check out http://do-enka.com/index2.html for their video list. Connection can be tediously slow, but it's worth waiting for (at least for an enka fan ;)) __________________ In the words of the ancients, one should make his decision within the space of seven breaths. It is a matter of being determined and having the spirit to break through to the other side. - Hagakure

May 30, 2003, 09:07	#5
thomas Decommissioned ex-admin Join Date: Mar 14, 2002 Posts: 4,209	It's a pity Mike Cash discontinued his website Oldies.jp. Apart from oldies and jazzy stuff he offered hundreds of enka songs ranging from the 30s to the 70s for download. __________________ Remember what the dormouse said, feed your head, feed your head!

May 30, 2003, 12:33	#6
ax squabblemaker Join Date: May 27, 2003 Location: Japan Age: 36 Posts: 297	is there no mirror thomas? ax __________________ アクソロギー「Axology」Language Playground 漢字能力をアップしましょうーChinese Squabble。 Ax life in Japan Ax Nihongo benkyou blog Clara Online

May 30, 2003, 02:42	#2
Mori Regular Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2003 Age: 29 Posts: 24	I don't know if Rikki can be considered Enka... Enka is just too terrible for me ^^; I mean, some guy whining about his lost wife or something like that, and then this kind of music...it just sounds like...um...runs away

May 30, 2003, 16:47	#7
thomas Decommissioned ex-admin Join Date: Mar 14, 2002 Posts: 4,209	Unfortunately not. Try to contact Mike (here's his site), if you're kind he might send you a CD with selected songs.

May 30, 2003, 17:03	#8
tasuki Regular Member Join Date: Apr 22, 2003 Location: Location: Tokyo. Country: Quebec, Canada Posts: 365	Originally posted by Twisted Although i will probably never embrace it, i do like to listen to it occasionally. Kiyoshi Hikawa is currently very popular in Japan and i recently heard a song from the Rinken Band. It's quite entertaining. Can the Rinken Band really be called enka? I thought they were Okinawan folk... __________________ - His arrogance is matched only by his firepower. - La culture, c'est comme la confiture: moins on en a, plus on l'etend. - TANSTAAFL.

May 30, 2003, 20:56	#9
MHtrStevie Regular Member Join Date: Jul 13, 2002 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 291	I thought that too... I was under the impression both Rikki and Rinken Band were examples of modern Okinawan folk styles. Although I've heard some enka songs which involve more traditional instrumentation (Takashi Hosokawa seems to do that a lot), others feature strings, guitars and even "big band" instrumentation with lots of horns and such. Maybe that's where the confusion came from... __________________ Mamono Hunter Stevie DJ, Radio 1/2 - WSPN 91.1 FM Sundays 6-9 AM EST

May 30, 2003, 21:45	#10
Twisted That man in the corner Join Date: Mar 15, 2002 Location: The Netherlands Age: 35 Posts: 1,456	Oh, you guys are probably right. I've never much looked into traditional Japanese music. I figured if it's not popmusic, it's Enka.

Jun 1, 2003, 01:13	#11
Rocketdive Regular Member Join Date: Mar 7, 2003 Location: Mexico City Age: 28 Posts: 20	I like Enka, old singers like Kiyoshi Maekawa and Saburo Kitajima ^^; __________________ We are X!

Jun 28, 2003, 05:08	#12
Lil'Anij Junior Member Join Date: Jun 27, 2003 Age: 34 Posts: 14	Well, I just tried out some enka of diferent artists, just took on what I could lay my hands on. The were very different. Some of them sound quite nice, but others, well, they sound rather funny. In Dusseldorf I saw a live performance of two enka... They sounded godd to me, but I can't remember the titles ^^ __________________ [ALIGN=center] www.seragalaxy.de.vu [/ALIGN]

Apr 13, 2006, 04:07	#13
Dutch Baka .... who cares? :( Join Date: Feb 5, 2005 Location: Kobe, Rokko Age: 24 Posts: 4,743 Blog Entries: 12	ENKA.... :cool: Traditional Japanese music... ENKA. what do you know about it, what do you think of it, I actually don't know anything about Enka, but would like to know a bit more about it. and let other people hear it. Something different than Jpop/Rock Searching for Enka, on you tube, I have found a couple of songs: Kiyoshi Hikawa What is he wearing? But he is the most popular Enka singer . shimatani hitomi - osaka no onna Nice song, and she looks pretty good! Mizumori Kaori - Gonosen nakazawa yûko- junjou koushinkyoku Really like the intro, and she looks nice Read more about Enka I hope that we can talk more about Traditional Japanese music, and not only the YOUNG!!! pop and rock music that is most on this Jpop section. So please share your opinion, and give us some great songs, or stories. __________________ My website: Kobe city info and my PM Forum Rules - J-Music Forum Rules - FAQ - Calendar Write an article for Jref - Reputation points

Apr 13, 2006, 05:45	#14
Coshh Banned Join Date: Mar 28, 2006 Posts: 356	I have never listened to the Enka yet. EDIT: I have listened to the links you posted, Dutch Baka; thank you very much! Kiyoshi Hikawa - I find his voice a bit harsh, actually, and I don't like some of the vibrato (ummm... his coat reminds me a little of Daigo Stardust, in fact, but... hehe... ) Shimatomi Hitomi - I like her voice! But it's not as good as Utada's, I think... I like the guitar tone in this song though. Mizumori Kaori - she has a lower voice, which is nice (I tend to prefer lower voice) but I find her high notes a bit nasal... Nakazawa Yuko - she is my favourite of the ones you posted! I really love her voice, it sounds so smooth and effortless! (and yeah, the intro is cool! ^^) Thanks for this; this is my first listening of traditional Japanese music!

Apr 13, 2006, 05:56	#15
Precious4e Regular Member Join Date: Mar 31, 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 996	hmmm i watched some of the clips.....totally reminds me of the songs my parents listen to (except they listen to Chinese instead of Japanese). Gives me a retro feel.... everytime i listen to these songs i picture my parents or even grandparents when they were at my age dancing at some disco....well not disco... more like...dance halls??

Apr 13, 2006, 05:57	#16
Uncle Frank You SPAM/We BAN ! Join Date: May 21, 2003 Location: State of Maine Age: 59 Posts: 6,715	WOW, brings back good memories! This type music was around in the 70's when I was in Japan. Like elevator music always in the background , I ignored it. Now, it awakens so many memories of the good old days, I could listen to it forever. Frank __________________ TAKE WHAT I SAY WITH A GRAIN OF SUGAR !! I USED TO BE FUNNY, BUT MY WIFE HAD ME NEUTERED!

Apr 13, 2006, 06:22	#17
Coshh Banned Join Date: Mar 28, 2006 Posts: 356	I liked the last one, Nakazawa Yuko. I could listen to that.

Apr 15, 2006, 07:59	#18
Dutch Baka .... who cares? :( Join Date: Feb 5, 2005 Location: Kobe, Rokko Age: 24 Posts: 4,743 Blog Entries: 12	I don't like all of them, but listening to it so now and then is pretty cool!!! I wanne do Karaoke!!!!!!!!!

Apr 16, 2006, 00:07	#19
Coshh Banned Join Date: Mar 28, 2006 Posts: 356	lol! I love karaoke... even though I don't do it very often. I don't know that this is the right thread, but... when I think of "Japanese traditional music" I think of things older than Enka which is more like a type of "grandparents age music" if you get my meaning. I'm interested to hear "old" Japanese music... can anyone recommend any groups that play traditional music that is "traditional" in the same way that European classical music post-20th-century would be considered "traditional"?

May 7, 2006, 05:04	#20
Dutch Baka .... who cares? :( Join Date: Feb 5, 2005 Location: Kobe, Rokko Age: 24 Posts: 4,743 Blog Entries: 12	Merged the this 2 threads to 1 main Enka thread

Oct 20, 2006, 04:41	#21
yelou Junior Member Join Date: Oct 20, 2006 Posts: 17	Enka Music Hello Everyone, I am a fan of Enka. Enka is the japanese traditional Music. The problem is that I speak Japanese a little... So, someone can help me to translate these 2 songs of Enka please : A) youtube.com/watch?v=hsWRRhxL838 My favorite singer : Otowa Shinobu San ( there is subtitle if it can helps you ) B) youtube.com/watch?v=UY7Z_fie0SQ&mode=related&search= My other favorite singer : Yoko Nagayama If you need, I can help you for French Thanks a Lot ps : Sorry, but I don' t understand why the post is shown 2 times in two differents part...

Oct 20, 2006, 06:34	#22
ricecake Banned Join Date: Jun 13, 2006 Location: Dublin,California Posts: 975	I too,a fan of Japanese Enka music.My favorite singer was and still is Aki Yashiro,her early 1980's hit song titled " Funa-Uta " has long-lasting impression on me. I can't help on French language translation,my Japanese music CD copies come with Chinese translated lyrics.

Oct 20, 2006, 06:40	#23
yelou Junior Member Join Date: Oct 20, 2006 Posts: 17	re If the translation is in English, it is ok for me

Oct 20, 2006, 17:08	#24
leonmarino Back Join Date: May 19, 2006 Location: Rotterdam - ロッテ Posts: 1,070	Enka rocks!! One of my fave songs is Kaette Koiyo. I couldn't find a YouTube clip. I would love to help you with the translation but I think my Japanese is not that good.

Oct 20, 2006, 21:49	#25
yelou Junior Member Join Date: Oct 20, 2006 Posts: 17	re leonmarino : Never Mind

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