Saburō Kitajima (北島 三郎, Kitajima Saburō; born October 4, 1936) is a Japanese enka singer, lyricist, actor and composer.
Singer・Vocalist: 1,169 people
Saburō Kitajima (北島 三郎, Kitajima Saburō; born October 4, 1936) is a Japanese enka singer, lyricist, actor and composer.
Masateru Nagatani, known professionally as Charlie Nagatani, is a Japanese country music singer-songwriter. He started…
Masateru Nagatani, known professionally as Charlie Nagatani, is a Japanese country music singer-songwriter. He started performing music with his band Charlie and the Cannonballs in 1961, which is one of the longest-running music groups in Japanese history. He opened a honky tonk in his hometown of Kumamoto called Good Time Charlie, and started the Country Gold music festival at Mount Aso in 1989. His first studio album in 1992 Charlie Nagatani Sings Country Gold featured Emmylou Harris, Bill Monroe, the Osborne Brothers, and Porter Wagoner.
Yōko Nogiwa (野際 陽子, Nogiwa Yōko; 24 January 1936 – 13 June 2017) was a Japanese actress. Her acting career spanned from…
Yōko Nogiwa (野際 陽子, Nogiwa Yōko; 24 January 1936 – 13 June 2017) was a Japanese actress. Her acting career spanned from 1958 until 2017.
Yukiji Asaoka (朝丘 雪路, Asaoka Yukiji; 23 July 1935 – 27 April 2018) was a Japanese singer and an actress from Chūō…
Yukiji Asaoka (朝丘 雪路, Asaoka Yukiji; 23 July 1935 – 27 April 2018) was a Japanese singer and an actress from Chūō, Tokyo. She was the daughter of a famous Japanese painter of shin hanga style prints, Shinsui Itō, and her second husband was actor Masahiko Tsugawa. Asaoka was in the Takarazuka Revue from 1952 to 1955. She was a cast member (musumeyaku), belonging to the Moon Troupe (Tsuki). She was famous for her roles in Japanese television series and appeared starring opposite Shintaro Katsu in both a film from the Zatoichi series and in the first film of the Hanzo the Razor trilogy. She was, however, mostly famous for her singing. She was also a voice actor in the 1999 anime film My Neighbors the Yamadas directed by Isao Takahata. She died of Alzheimer's disease.
Kazuya Kosaka (小坂一也, Kosaka Kazuya; May 30, 1935 – November 1, 1997) was a Japanese singer and actor.
Akihiro Maruyama (丸山 明宏, Maruyama Akihiro; May 15, 1935 – June 20, 2026), better known by his stage name Akihiro Miwa…
Akihiro Maruyama (丸山 明宏, Maruyama Akihiro; May 15, 1935 – June 20, 2026), better known by his stage name Akihiro Miwa (美輪 明宏, Miwa Akihiro), was a Japanese singer, actor, director, composer, author and drag queen. He appeared in the productions of Shūji Terayama, Tenjō Sajiki, Kinji Fukasaku, Yukio Mishima, and was a voice actor in two Hayao Miyazaki films.
Noboru Tsuburaya (Japanese: 円谷 皐, Hepburn: Tsuburaya Noboru; May 10, 1935 – June 11, 1995), writing under the pseudonym…
Noboru Tsuburaya (Japanese: 円谷 皐, Hepburn: Tsuburaya Noboru; May 10, 1935 – June 11, 1995), writing under the pseudonym Noboru Tani (谷のぼる, Tani Noboru), was a Japanese film producer and the third president of Tsuburaya Productions.
Yūjirō Ishihara (石原 裕次郎, Ishihara Yūjirō; December 28, 1934 – July 17, 1987) was a Japanese actor and singer born in…
Yūjirō Ishihara (石原 裕次郎, Ishihara Yūjirō; December 28, 1934 – July 17, 1987) was a Japanese actor and singer born in Kobe. His elder brother was Shintaro Ishihara, an author, politician, and the Governor of Tokyo between 1999 and 2012. Yujiro's film debut was the 1956 film Season of the Sun, based on a novel written by his brother. He was beloved by many fans as a representative youth star in the films of postwar Japan and subsequently as a macho movie hero. His early death from liver cancer was a major public event in Japan.
Emiko Iiyama (Japanese: 飯山恵巳子, born 16 April 1934 in Tokyo)is a Japanese soprano. She was in 1968 a singer in Nikolaus…
Emiko Iiyama (Japanese: 飯山恵巳子, born 16 April 1934 in Tokyo)is a Japanese soprano. She was in 1968 a singer in Nikolaus Harnoncourt's recording of Bach's Mass in B minor, pioneering historically informed performances in 1968, singing the second soprano part. She recorded Bach cantatas for solo soprano, conducted by Fritz Werner, including Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen, BWV 51, with Maurice André performing the solo trumpet part. She performed contemporary music in a concert in honour of prize winners of an Austrian composition competition. Conducted by one of them, Erich Urbanner, she sang with bravura ("mit Bravour") Bojidar Dimov's Incantationes I, Kurt Schwertsik's Liebesträume, and Sommerpoesie – Winterpoesie by Günter Kahowez.
Peggy Hayama (Japanese: ペギー葉山) born Shigeko Kotakari (Japanese: 小鷹狩 繁子; 9 December 1933 – 12 April 2017) was a Japanese…
Peggy Hayama (Japanese: ペギー葉山) born Shigeko Kotakari (Japanese: 小鷹狩 繁子; 9 December 1933 – 12 April 2017) was a Japanese singer. Born Shigeko Kotakari in Yotsuya, Hayama attended Aoyama Gakuin Senior High School, where she was discovered while singing jazz. She debuted at the age of 18 in 1952, and two years later entered the Kohaku Uta Gassen for the first time. Hayama was known for singing the Japanese-language version of "Do-Re-Mi", a show tune from The Sound of Music later placed on the Nihon no Uta Hyakusen in 2007. She also lent her voice to Japanese dubs of Disney films and released a Japanese cover of "The Wedding" under its original title "La Novia". Hayama's famous Japanese songs included "Having Left Tosa", "School Days", and "Shimabara Lullaby". Her last performance was held in March 2017, at a memorial concert for Fubuki Koshiji. Hayama was honored by the Ministry of Education in 1993 for her contributions to fine arts in Japan. Two years later, she received the Medal with Purple Ribbon. In 2004, Hayama was awarded an Order of the Rising Sun, fourth class. She became the first chairwoman of the Japanese Singers Association in 2007, and served until 2010. Hayama was married to Jun Negami from 1965 until his death in 2005. She died at the age of 83 in 2017, after being hospitalized in Tokyo due to pneumonia.
Tatsuya Nakadai (仲代 達矢, Nakadai Tatsuya; born Motohisa Nakadai; December 13, 1932 – November 8, 2025) was a Japanese…
Tatsuya Nakadai (仲代 達矢, Nakadai Tatsuya; born Motohisa Nakadai; December 13, 1932 – November 8, 2025) was a Japanese actor. Widely regarded as one of the greatest actors in the history of cinema, he collaborated extensively with many of Japan's best-known and acclaimed directors. In his over seven decade career, he appeared in more than 160 films, and received numerous accolades. He was honored with a Medal with Purple Ribbon in 1996 and Japan's Order of Culture in 2015. Discovered on the streets of Tokyo by director Masaki Kobayashi, Nakadai rose to prominence starring in Kobayashi's films, with his breakthrough being in the epic anti-war trilogy The Human Condition (1959–1961). He won the Blue Ribbon Award for Best Actor for his performance as the vengeful ronin in Harakiri (1962), a role he considered his finest. Nakadai collaborated on eleven films with Kobayashi—including Kwaidan (1964) and Samurai Rebellion (1967)—and five with Akira Kurosawa, most notably as the doomed warlord in Ran (1985), a performance that earned global acclaim. His other notable credits include Seven Samurai (1954), Conflagration (1958), When a Woman Ascends the Stairs (1960), Yojimbo (1961), Sanjuro (1962), High and Low (1963), The Sword of Doom, The Face of Another (both 1966), Kill! (1968), Goyokin (1969), Kagemusha (1980), and The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013). A lifelong stage actor, he founded the acting school Mumeijuku in 1975 and continued performing on stage into his nineties.
Yukio Aoshima (青島 幸男, Aoshima Yukio; 17 July 1932 – 20 December 2006) was a Japanese politician who served as Governor…
Yukio Aoshima (青島 幸男, Aoshima Yukio; 17 July 1932 – 20 December 2006) was a Japanese politician who served as Governor of Tokyo from 1995 to 1999. He is also well known as a TV actor, novelist, film director, screenwriter and songwriter.
Frank Nagai (フランク 永井; March 18, 1932 – October 27, 2008) was a Japanese singer. Known for his attractive baritone…
Frank Nagai (フランク 永井; March 18, 1932 – October 27, 2008) was a Japanese singer. Known for his attractive baritone voice. His real name was Kiyoto Nagai (永井 清人 Nagai Kiyoto).
Shintaro Katsu (Japanese: 勝 新太郎, Hepburn: Katsu Shintarō; 29 November 1931 – 21 June 1997) was a Japanese actor…
Shintaro Katsu (Japanese: 勝 新太郎, Hepburn: Katsu Shintarō; 29 November 1931 – 21 June 1997) was a Japanese actor, singer, and filmmaker. He is known for starring in the Akumyo series, the Hoodlum Soldier series, the Hanzo the Razor series, and the Zatoichi series.
Masako Togawa (戸川昌子, Togawa Masako) (23 March 1931 – 26 April 2016) was a Japanese Chanson singer/songwriter, actress…
Masako Togawa (戸川昌子, Togawa Masako) (23 March 1931 – 26 April 2016) was a Japanese Chanson singer/songwriter, actress, feminist, novelist, lesbian icon, former night club owner, metropolitan city planning panelist, and music educator.
Shigeru Amachi (天知 茂, Amachi Shigeru; 4 March 1931 – 27 July 1985) was a Japanese actor. He appeared in more than 120…
Shigeru Amachi (天知 茂, Amachi Shigeru; 4 March 1931 – 27 July 1985) was a Japanese actor. He appeared in more than 120 films from 1953 to 1984.
Yukiko Shimazaki (島崎 雪子, Shimazaki Yukiko; February 25, 1931 – 2014) was a Japanese actress and singer. She appeared in…
Yukiko Shimazaki (島崎 雪子, Shimazaki Yukiko; February 25, 1931 – 2014) was a Japanese actress and singer. She appeared in more than twenty films from 1950 to 1964. She was married to film director Tatsumi Kumashiro from 1955 to 1967. She died in 2014.
Ken Takakura (Japanese: 高倉 健, Hepburn: Takakura Ken), born Takeichi Oda (小田 剛一, Oda Takeichi; February 16, 1931 –…
Ken Takakura (Japanese: 高倉 健, Hepburn: Takakura Ken), born Takeichi Oda (小田 剛一, Oda Takeichi; February 16, 1931 – November 10, 2014), was a Japanese actor and singer who appeared in over 200 films. Affectionately referred to as "Ken-san" by audiences, he was best known for his brooding style and the stoic presence he brought to his roles. He won the Japan Academy Prize for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role four times, tied with Koji Yakusho for the most ever. Takakura additionally received the Japanese Medal of Honor with purple ribbon in 1998, the Person of Cultural Merit award in 2006, and the Order of Culture in 2013.
Michiya Mihashi (三橋美智也 Mihashi Michiya, November 10, 1930 – January 8, 1996), born Michiya Kitazawa (北沢 美智也 Kitazawa…
Michiya Mihashi (三橋美智也 Mihashi Michiya, November 10, 1930 – January 8, 1996), born Michiya Kitazawa (北沢 美智也 Kitazawa Michiya) in Kamiiso, Hokkaidō, was an enka singer in postwar Japan. Along with Hachiro Kasuga and Hideo Murata, he was regarded as one of the most notable singers to have established the genre enka. Mihashi was among the leading Enka singers in his time and was known for his high-pitched and elastic singing voice. He recorded around 2,500 songs. By 1983, he sold more than 100 million records. Takashi Hosokawa was his pupil.
Akiyuki Nosaka (野坂 昭如, Nosaka Akiyuki; October 10, 1930 – December 9, 2015) was a Japanese novelist, journalist…
Akiyuki Nosaka (野坂 昭如, Nosaka Akiyuki; October 10, 1930 – December 9, 2015) was a Japanese novelist, journalist, singer, lyricist, and member of the House of Councillors. As a broadcasting writer he used the name Yukio Aki (阿木 由紀夫, Aki Yukio) and his alias as a chanson singer was Claude Nosaka (クロード 野坂, Kurōdo Nosaka). He wrote the short story "Grave of the Fireflies" based on his experiences in the wake of American bombing during the Second World War; the short story has been adapted into both an animated film and a live-action film.
Tadao Takashima (高島忠夫, Takashima Tadao) (27 July 1930 – 26 June 2019) was a Japanese actor and jazz musician. He…
Tadao Takashima (高島忠夫, Takashima Tadao) (27 July 1930 – 26 June 2019) was a Japanese actor and jazz musician. He appeared in more than 100 films, including the Toho productions King Kong vs. Godzilla, Atragon, and Frankenstein vs. Baragon. He also performed in stage musicals such as My Fair Lady and appeared in several television shows.
Norio Ohga (大賀 典雄, Ōga Norio; January 29, 1930 – April 23, 2011), also spelled Norio Oga, was a Japanese businessperson…
Norio Ohga (大賀 典雄, Ōga Norio; January 29, 1930 – April 23, 2011), also spelled Norio Oga, was a Japanese businessperson who was the president and chairman of Sony Corporation. He is credited with spurring the development of the compact disc (CD) as a commercially viable audio format.
Tachikawa Sumito (立川清登; February 15, 1929 – December 31, 1985) was a Japanese baritone singer and radio host. At first…
Tachikawa Sumito (立川清登; February 15, 1929 – December 31, 1985) was a Japanese baritone singer and radio host. At first a singer of opera and lieder, his repertoire later included musicals and popular music. In addition to being a performing musician, he was also a radio host and television personality.
Hideo Murata (村田英雄, Murata Hideo; January 17, 1929 – June 13, 2002) was a Japanese rōkyoku and enka singer. He took…
Hideo Murata (村田英雄, Murata Hideo; January 17, 1929 – June 13, 2002) was a Japanese rōkyoku and enka singer. He took part in the Kōhaku Uta Gassen 27 times. Murata was born as a son of rōkyoku singer Senyu Hirosawa (広沢仙遊, Hirosawa Senyū) and Tsutako Yano (矢野ツタ子, Yano Tsutako). However, he was immediately adopted by Sumiko Deriba (出利葉スミ子, Deriba Sumiko) and Haruo Kajiyama (梶山春雄, Kajiyama Haruo) became his stepfather. His real name was Isamu Kajiyama (梶山勇, Kajiyama Isamu). He studied rōkyoku under one of Kumoemon Tochuken's disciples, Kumo Sakai. Murata was scouted by Masao Koga, debuting with "Muhōmatsu no Isshō" (無法松の一生, lit. "Life of Outlaw Pine") in 1958. His 1961 single "Ōshō" sold over one million copies. Along with Hachiro Kasuga and Michiya Mihashi, he became a famous enka singer and Haruo Minami was regarded as his rival. He died on June 13, 2002.
Kiyoshi Atsumi (Japanese: 渥美 清, Hepburn: Atsumi Kiyoshi), born Yasuo Tadokoro (田所 康雄, Tadokoro Yasuo; 10 March 1928 – 4…
Kiyoshi Atsumi (Japanese: 渥美 清, Hepburn: Atsumi Kiyoshi), born Yasuo Tadokoro (田所 康雄, Tadokoro Yasuo; 10 March 1928 – 4 August 1996), was a Japanese actor. He is best known for portraying Tora-san in the Japanese comedy film series Otoko wa Tsurai yo, a role he played 48 times over 26 years.
Hitoshi Ueki (植木 等, Ueki Hitoshi; February 25, 1927 – March 27, 2007) was a Japanese actor, comedian, singer, and…
Hitoshi Ueki (植木 等, Ueki Hitoshi; February 25, 1927 – March 27, 2007) was a Japanese actor, comedian, singer, and guitarist. He won six awards for acting. His film credits stretch from 1960 to 1995. Ueki came to fame through the comic jazz-band The Crazy Cats led by Hajime Hana. His major appearances were in the Musekinin Otoko film series, the comedy variety show Shabondama Holiday, the prime-time television series The Hangman, and the ten 2-hour television shows in the Nagoya Yomeiri Monogatari franchise. He appeared in the Akira Kurosawa epic jidaigeki film Ran in 1985, receiving a nomination for the Japan Academy Prize for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role, and earned the Japanese Academy, Kinema Junpo, and Mainichi film awards for best supporting actor for his role as the eccentric grandfather in Big Joys, Small Sorrows in 1987. On stage, he portrayed Billy Flynn in the musical Chicago, voiced the Roddy McDowall role in the Japanese market release of Planet of the Apes, and served as the narrator in the Japanese version of Tom and Jerry. His hit song with Hana Hajime and the Crazy Cats, Sūdara-bushi, placed in the Oricon top ten, and landed him an appearance on the NHK annual music spectacular Kōhaku Uta Gassen. Ueki received the Purple Ribbon Medal of Honour in 1993 and the 4th Class Order of the Rising Sun in 1999. In 2011, new technology was used to create a Vocaloid voicebank using his voice.
Noboru Ando (Japanese: 安藤 昇, Hepburn: Andō Noboru; 24 May 1926 – 16 December 2015) was a Japanese actor, writer, singer…
Noboru Ando (Japanese: 安藤 昇, Hepburn: Andō Noboru; 24 May 1926 – 16 December 2015) was a Japanese actor, writer, singer and former yakuza. He is known for utilizing his experiences as a criminal in his many roles in yakuza films. He had a large knife scar on his left cheek, the result of a brawl with a Korean gangster as a young man.
Eiichi Ono (Japanese: 小野 榮一, Hepburn: Ono Eiichi; December 6, 1924 – June 16, 1987), better known by his stage name…
Eiichi Ono (Japanese: 小野 榮一, Hepburn: Ono Eiichi; December 6, 1924 – June 16, 1987), better known by his stage name Kōji Tsuruta (鶴田 浩二, Tsuruta Kōji), was a Japanese actor and singer. He appeared in almost 260 feature films and had a unique style of singing.
Hachiro Kasuga (春日八郎, Kasuga Hachirō; October 9, 1924 – October 22, 1991), born Minoru Watabe, was a Japanese enka…
Hachiro Kasuga (春日八郎, Kasuga Hachirō; October 9, 1924 – October 22, 1991), born Minoru Watabe, was a Japanese enka singer. He has been dubbed "the first enka singer". Having seen Ichiro Fujiyama on stage, he attempted to become a popular singer. After he graduated from the Toyo Music School, he was drafted into the Imperial Japanese Army in 1944, and returned from Taiwan in 1946. He joined Shinjuku Moulin Rouge in 1947 and then King Records in 1949. In 1952, Kasuga made his debut with the song "Akai lamp no Shū Ressha" (赤いランプの終列車, lit. "Last Train with Red Lamp"), which at first got into the news in Nagoya. His popularity soon became widespread. His 1954 song "Otomi-san" (お富さん, lit. "Miss Otomi") became more successful throughout Japan. This single sold 500,000 copies in a half year, and eventually sold more than one million copies. In 1955, he also released the single "Wakare no Ipponsugi" (別れの一本杉, lit. "Farewell One Cedar") which he musically sought. The song was composed by Toru Funamura. His music, which was later called enka, had much effect on subsequent popular music of Japan. He died on October 22, 1991, aged 67.
Fubuki Koshiji (越路 吹雪; 18 February 1924 – 7 November 1980), real name Mihoko Kouno (内藤 美保子), was a Japanese singer and…
Fubuki Koshiji (越路 吹雪; 18 February 1924 – 7 November 1980), real name Mihoko Kouno (内藤 美保子), was a Japanese singer and actress. She joined the Takarazuka Revue in 1939. Though she was recognized as a star at Takarazuka, she left in 1951. When she chose to leave the troupe, Koshiji's friend, Tokiko Iwatani, also quit to manage Koshiji's budding career in film, made possible by the liberalization that took place during and after the occupation of Japan. Throughout the 1950s, Koshiji appeared in productions that merged the arts of shinpa, shingeki, and kabuki. Known as the "Queen of Chanson" (シャンソンの女王, Shanson no Joō), Koshiji was influenced by French singer Édith Piaf. She released Japanese-language covers of Piaf's "Hymne à l'amour" in 1951, "Tombe la neige" by Salvatore Adamo, and "C'est si bon". Koshiji was married to composer Tsunemi Naitō. She died in Tokyo of stomach cancer at the age of 56. Koshiji's final words, addressed to her husband, were "Tsunemi-san, black coffee and milk." She is the subject of "Koshiji Fubuki Monogatari", a television production of TV Asahi in Japan with Takimoto Miori playing the role of Fubuki Koshiji.
Michiko Hirayama (平山 美智子, Hirayama Michiko; 14 July 1923 – 1 April 2018) was a Japanese singer, noted for her…
Michiko Hirayama (平山 美智子, Hirayama Michiko; 14 July 1923 – 1 April 2018) was a Japanese singer, noted for her interpretation of Giacinto Scelsi's "Canti del Capricorno".
Shi Yongfen (Chinese: 史永芬; pinyin: Shǐ Yǒngfēn; 27 June 1921 – 27 August 1999), known professionally as Bai Guang…
Shi Yongfen (Chinese: 史永芬; pinyin: Shǐ Yǒngfēn; 27 June 1921 – 27 August 1999), known professionally as Bai Guang (Chinese: 白光; pinyin: Bái Guāng; lit. 'White Light'; also credited as Pai Kwong, Bai Kwong and Bai Kwang), was a Chinese actress and singer. By the 1940s, she became one of the Seven Great Singing Stars.
Mitsuko Mori (森 光子, Mori Mitsuko; May 9, 1920 – November 10, 2012), real name Mitsu Murakami (村上美津, Murakami Mitsu)…
Mitsuko Mori (森 光子, Mori Mitsuko; May 9, 1920 – November 10, 2012), real name Mitsu Murakami (村上美津, Murakami Mitsu), was a Japanese actress.
Kita Rentarō (北廉太郎) (also known as Kita Kan (紀多寛); born Kita Koretsugu (紀太惟次); March 20, 1920 – September 16, 1940) was…
Kita Rentarō (北廉太郎) (also known as Kita Kan (紀多寛); born Kita Koretsugu (紀太惟次); March 20, 1920 – September 16, 1940) was a Japanese ryūkōka singer. He was popularly known as Kitaren (キタレン). Tending towards delinquency in adolescence, Kita dropped out of school in 1936 and began to train as a boxer. His father's death soon after, as well as encouragement from Kikuchi Tansui, caused him to pursue singing as a vocation instead. In 1937, Kita made his recording debut on Taihei Records; he moved to the Japanese branch of Polydor Records the following year. After initial success, his career stalled. He died from leukemia in 1940 after a rapid decline in his health.
Yoshio Tabata (田端義夫, Tabata Yoshio; January 1, 1919 – April 25, 2013) was a Japanese ryūkōka and enka singer…
Yoshio Tabata (田端義夫, Tabata Yoshio; January 1, 1919 – April 25, 2013) was a Japanese ryūkōka and enka singer, songwriter, and electric guitarist. His debut song "Shima no Funauta" (島の舟唄, literally "Island Ship Song") was released in 1939. Along with enka-shi Haruo Oka's 1939 debut, his debut had a big impact on Japanese popular music because Japanese popular ryūkōka music of that time was mainly sung by classical music singers such as Ichiro Fujiyama and Noriko Awaya. He was born in Matsusaka, Mie Prefecture, Japan.
Mieko Takamine (高峰三枝子, Takamine Mieko) (2 December 1918 – 27 May 1990) was a Japanese actress and singer.
Haruo Oka (岡晴夫, Oka Haruo; January 12, 1916 – May 19, 1970), real name Tatsuo Sasaki (佐々木 辰夫, Sasaki Tatsuo), was a…
Haruo Oka (岡晴夫, Oka Haruo; January 12, 1916 – May 19, 1970), real name Tatsuo Sasaki (佐々木 辰夫, Sasaki Tatsuo), was a Japanese ryūkōka singer. He studied music as an enka-shi or a street musician. At that time, he was encouraged by Taro Shoji in Ginza. He signed with King Records in 1938. He debuted with song "Kokkyō no Haru" (国境の春, lit. "Spring at the Border") in 1939. He married Kiyoko Okuda in 1940. In 1944, during the Pacific War, he was dispatched to Ambon Island, but soon returned due to sickness. After the war, his popularity grew, and he starred in Akogare no Hawaii kōro with Hibari Misora. However, he never performed at the Kohaku Uta Gassen partly because he attached importance to live performances.
Nobuko Fushimi (伏見 信子, Fushimi Nobuko, born October 10, 1915) is a Japanese actress and singer who was active in the…
Nobuko Fushimi (伏見 信子, Fushimi Nobuko, born October 10, 1915) is a Japanese actress and singer who was active in the 1930s. She was also known by her alias Nobue Fushimi (伏見 延江).
Akiko Futaba (二葉 あき子, Futaba Akiko; born Yoshie Kato (加藤 芳江); February 2, 1915 – August 16, 2011) was a Japanese…
Akiko Futaba (二葉 あき子, Futaba Akiko; born Yoshie Kato (加藤 芳江); February 2, 1915 – August 16, 2011) was a Japanese popular music (ryūkōka) singer. As of the end of World War II, she was one of the most popular female singers in Japan, competing with Hamako Watanabe and Noriko Awaya. In addition, she took part in the Kōhaku Uta Gassen, one of Japan's most famous annual musical television shows, ten times.
Hisaya Morishige (森繁 久彌, Morishige Hisaya; May 4, 1913 – November 10, 2009) was a Japanese actor and comedian. Born in…
Hisaya Morishige (森繁 久彌, Morishige Hisaya; May 4, 1913 – November 10, 2009) was a Japanese actor and comedian. Born in Hirakata, Osaka, he graduated from Kitano Middle School (now Kitano High School), and attended Waseda University. He began his career as a stage actor, then became an announcer for NHK, working in Manchukuo. He became famous in films first for comedy roles, appearing in series such as the "Company President" (Shacho) and "Station Front" (Ekimae) series, produced by Toho. He appeared in nearly 250 films, both contemporary and jidaigeki. He was also famous on stage playing Tevye in the Japanese version of Fiddler on the Roof. He also appeared in television series and specials, and was the first guest on the television talk show Tetsuko's Room in 1975. He was long-time head of the Japan Actors Union. Among many honors, Morishige received the Order of Culture from the Emperor of Japan in 1991. Hisaya Morishige died of natural causes at a hospital in Tokyo on November 10, 2009, at the age of 96.
Haruyo Ichikawa (市川春代, Ichikawa Haruyo; 9 February 1913 – 18 November 2004) was a Japanese film actress and singer.
Isao Hayashi (林伊佐緒, Hayashi Isao; May 11, 1912 – September 29, 1995) was a Japanese popular music and military music…
Isao Hayashi (林伊佐緒, Hayashi Isao; May 11, 1912 – September 29, 1995) was a Japanese popular music and military music singer and composer. He took part in the Japan's famous year-end show Kōhaku Uta Gassen eleven times. One of the well-known songs composed by him is the military song "Shussei Heishi o Okuru Uta" (出征兵士を送る歌; "Song for Giving Warriors a Send-off").
Katsuhiko Haida (1911–1982) was a Japanese film actor and music composer. He played an important role in the 1951 film…
Katsuhiko Haida (1911–1982) was a Japanese film actor and music composer. He played an important role in the 1951 film Tokyo File 212. He also appeared in The Burning Sky, and Escapade From Japan. His brother is Yukihiko Haida, and they formed the Nihon Ukulele Association together.
Hamako Watanabe (渡辺 はま子, Watanabe Hamako; 27 October 1910 – 31 December 1999) was the stage name of a Japanese popular…
Hamako Watanabe (渡辺 はま子, Watanabe Hamako; 27 October 1910 – 31 December 1999) was the stage name of a Japanese popular singer, who was active during the Shōwa period of Japan, before, during and after World War II. Her real name was Hamako Kato.
Michiko Tanaka (田中 路子, Tanaka Michiko; July 15, 1909 – May 18, 1988) was a Japanese singer and actress.
Tadaharu Nakano (中野忠晴, Nakano Tadaharu; May 27, 1909 – February 19, 1970) was a popular Japanese baritone singer of…
Tadaharu Nakano (中野忠晴, Nakano Tadaharu; May 27, 1909 – February 19, 1970) was a popular Japanese baritone singer of jazz and ryūkōka in Shōwa era Japan.
Dick Mine (ディック・ミネ, Dikku Mine; Japanese pronunciation: [dikku͍ mine]) October 10, 1908 – June 10, 1991 was a Japanese…
Dick Mine (ディック・ミネ, Dikku Mine; Japanese pronunciation: [dikku͍ mine]) October 10, 1908 – June 10, 1991 was a Japanese singer. His recording career spanned nearly the entire Shōwa era.
Bin Uehara (上原 敏, Uehara Bin; August 26, 1908 – July 29, 1944) was a Japanese music (ryūkōka) singer and soldier. He…
Bin Uehara (上原 敏, Uehara Bin; August 26, 1908 – July 29, 1944) was a Japanese music (ryūkōka) singer and soldier. He was known for using naniwa-bushi's kobushi vocalism in Japanese popular music. He was killed in action during the eastern New Guinea campaign during the Pacific War.
Noriko Awaya (Japanese: 淡谷 のり子, Hepburn: Awaya Noriko; August 12, 1907 – September 22, 1999) was a Japanese female…
Noriko Awaya (Japanese: 淡谷 のり子, Hepburn: Awaya Noriko; August 12, 1907 – September 22, 1999) was a Japanese female soprano chanteuse and popular music (ryūkōka) singer. She was dubbed the "Queen of Blues" (ブルースの女王, Burūsu no Joō) in Japan.