Enka is a term that became used in the early 70s to describe a slow to medium kayokyoku (pop tune) heavily influenced by native Japanese elements. Enka is often called the heart of the Japanese. In the 50s, the dark pre-war songs were revived, merged with blues to form 'mood' kayo. This fascinating CD delves into the roots of modern day enka. Distinctly Japanese melodies merged with western string orchestras and some Japanese instruments such as shamisen.

1.Isao Hayashi / Dance Party no Yoru 2.Atsuro Okamoto / Shiroi Hana no Sakukoro 3.Hachiro Kasuga / Akai Ramp no Shu-ressha 4.Shigeko Orii / Kuroyuri no Uta 5.Tsuzuko Sugawara / Tsuki ga tottemo aoi kara 6.Yoshiko Ohtsu / Tokyo Annna 7.Hachiro Kasuga / Wakare no Ippon-sugi 8.Michiya Mihashi / Ringo-mura kara 9.Michiya Mihashi / Aishu Ressha 10.Hiroshi Mifune / Otoko no Blues 11.Yujiro Ishihara / Ore wa matteruze 12.Chiyoko Shimakura / Tokyo dayo Okka-san 13.Hibari Misora / Minatomachi Ju-san-banchi 14.Haruo Minami / Chamchiki Okesa 15.Kouichi Aoki / Kakinoki-zaka no Ie 16.Hideo Murata / Muhonmatsu no Issho 17.Peggy Hayama / Nangoku Tosa o Atonishite 18.Hiroshi Mizuhara / Kuroi Hanabira 19.Keiko Matsuyama / Owakare Koushu-denwa 20.Yukio Hashi / Itakogasa

The 60s are considered to be one of the golden ages of enka. Some songs still used the Japanese pentatonic scale, combining Japanese elements with the plaintive 'mood' kayo. This CD features the most important singers.

1.Sachiko Nishida / Akasia no Ame ga yamutoki 2.Frank Nagai / Kimi koishi 3.Hideo Murata / Ousho 4.Kazuo Funaki / Koukou San-nen-sei 5.Yoko Kishi / Yoaki no Uta 6.Akira Kobayashi / Jidousha Shouka 7.Kiyoko Suizenji / Namida o daita Wataridori 8.Harumi Miyako / Ankotsubaki wa Koi no Hana 9.Ai Jorge, Chinami Shima / Akai Glass 10.Saburo Kitajima / Hakodate no Onnna 11.Yoichi Sugawara / Shiritakunaino 12.Masao Sen / Hoshikage no Waltz 13.Akira Kurosawa & Los Primos / Love You Tokyo 14.Kenichi Mikawa / Yanagase Blues 15.Hibari Misora / Kanashii Sake 16.Yujiro Ishihara / Yogiri yo Kyo mo Arigatou 17. Hiroshi Mizuhara / Kimi koso waga Inochi 18.Mina Aoe / Isezaki-cho Blues 19.Hiroshi Uchiyamada & Cool Five / Nagasaki wa Kyo mo Ame data 20.Shinichi Mori / Minatomachi Blues

Price:   £16.99

Another wonderful CD of classic enka, during the other golden age of the music. Tenor sax replaced soprano sax and the sound became lighter. The term enka became widely used as a result of advertising for Keiko Fuji (mother of pop mega star Utada Hikaru) featured on this CD.

1.Keiko Fuji / Keiko no Yume wa Yoru Hiraku 2.Rumiko Koyanagi / Watashi no Jokamachi 3.Shiro Miya & Pinkara Trio / Onna no Michi 4.Yujiro Ishihara / Koi no Machi Sapporo 5.Yuriko Futaba / Ganpeki no Haha 6.Aki Yashiro / Namida-goi 7.Tatsue Kaneda / Hanamachi no Haha 8.Tatsuya Watari / Kuchinashi no Hana 9.Tonosama Kings / Namida no Misao 10.Kiyoshi Nakajo / Uso 11.Shinichi Mori / Erimo Misaki 12.Toshi Ito to Happy & Blue / Watashi Inottemasu 13.Akira Kobayashi / Mukashi no Namae de Deteimasu 14.Harumi Miyako / Kita no Yado kara 15.Sayuri Ishikawa / Tsugaru Kaikyo Fuyugeshiki 16.Masao Sen / Kitaguni no Haru 17.Jiro Atsumi / Yumeioi-zake 18.Mieko Makimura / Michizure 19.Sachiko Kobayashi / Omoide-zake 20.Aki Yashiro / Funauta

In the 80s, typical enka accompaniment had become saxophones, trumpets, electric guitar, electic bass, piano and strings, with occassional shakuhachi or shamisen. 19 heart-rending tracks.

1.Tetsuya Ryu / Okuhida Bojo 2.Eisaku Ohkawa / Sazanka no Yado 3.Harumi Miyako / Osaka Shigure 4.Takashi Hosokawa / Yagiri no Watashi 5.Kenkichi Muraki / Oyaji no Umi 6.Los Indios & Silvia / Wakarete mo Sukina Hito 7.Joji Yamamoto / Michinoku Hitoritabi 8.Gannosuke Ashiya / Musume yo 9.Akio Kayama / Hisame 10.Hiroshi Itsuki / Nagara-gawa Enka 11.Yujiro Ishihara / Brandy Glass 12.Aki Yashiro / Ame no Bojo 13. Ow Yang Fei Fei / Love Is Over 14.Tomio Umezawa / Yume Shibai 15. Teresa Teng / Tsugunai 16.Hibari Misora / Kawa no Nagare no Youni 17.Ikuzo Yoshi / Yukiguni 18.Chiyoko Shimakura / Jinsei Iroiro 19.Ichiro Toba / Kyodai-bune


Price:   £16.99

By the 90s, the lyrics became lighter and the tunes formulaic. Enka has become more popular with younger people.

1. Mitsuko Nakamura / Kawachi Otoko Bushi 2.Oyones / Mugibatake 3.Saori Haruyama / Ichiendama no Tabigarasu 4.Kaori Kozai / Haguresou 5.Miyako Otsuki / Shiroi Kaikyo 6.Takao Horiuchi / Koiuta Tsuzuri 7.Iwao Takayama / Kokoro Koorasete 8.Motomi Tagawa / Onna...Hitoritabi 9.Ayako Fuji / Murasaki Ujo 10.Natsuko Godai / Hitorizake 11.Yoko Nagayama / Suterarete 12.Yoshimi Tendo / Chindo Monogatari 13.Fuyumi Sakamoto / Yozakura Oshici 14.Yuki Kadokura / Nora 15.Yutaka Yamakawa / America-bashi 16.Teruko Aurora (Michiko Kawai) / Meotomichi 17.Itsuro Ohizumi / Mago 18.Miyuki Kawanaka / Nirinsou

Aside to being known for singing enka, Hibari Misora was also a wonderful singer of minyo or folk songs. This fantastic CD of 20 tracks features those minyo classics, some performed in quite a traditional style, others with a latin or orchestral backing. Tracks include Chakkiri Bushi, Itsuki no Komoriuta, Yakkotai, Kiso Bushi, Joban Tanko Bushi and Sado Okesa.


Price:   £15.99

By the time she was nineteen, Hibari Misora already had a body of work that would have been a lasting legacy. This 2 CD set (CD 1- 24 tracks, CD 2- 19 tracks) contains some of her greatest tunes from the early post war period. Japanese elements are mixed with boogie woogie (Kappa Boogie Woogie) mambo (Omatsuri Mambo) in what was an early world music mixture on CD 1. This also contains big hits such as Tokyo Kid and Ringo Oiwake. CD 2 has a lot of jazz influences on songs such as Shanghai, The Soba Song, Take the A Train, and La Vie en Rose. A truly remarkable talent.

Hibari Misora (1937-1989) was possibly Japan's greatest ever entertainer. Best known for singing enka, she was also equally adept at other styles such as minyo (local folk) and on this album she shows yet another side to her talents. She tackles jazz standards and other classics including La Vie en Rose (made famous by Edif Piaf who Hibari is sometimes compared to), Ave Maria and Danny Boy. Some songs are sung in English although most are in Japanese. 1.Fascination 2. Stardust 3.La Vie en Rose 4.Take the A Train 5.Walkin’my Baby Back Home 6. Cry Me a River 7. Love Me or Leave Me 8.Danny Boy 9. Ave Maria 10.Core ’ngrato 11.Torna a Surriento 12.Get Out and Get Under the Moon 13.Love 14. Over the Rainbow 15.Love is a Many-Splendored Thing 16. Red Sails in the Sunset 17.Pretend

Price:   £18.99

2 CD, 26 track compilation of Michiya Mihashi, one of Japan's greatest post-war male singers. He started off singing minyo before becoming one of the top enka singers in the 1950s. This CD features his greatest hits, mainly in the old style enka style, but with strong minyo elements. Fantastic. Tracks include Onna Sendo Uta, Ringo Mura Kara, Aishu Resha, Aikai Yuhi no Kokyo and Jogashima no Ame.

Yoko Nagayama is one of Japan's top enka singers. She began her career as J-pop singer although had previously studied minyo and the shamisen. This put her in good stead when she did eventually become an enka singer as she incorporated a minyo style of singing and shamisen in her enka performance. She is today one of the most popular singers in Japan and this 2 CD set has been issued to celebrate 15 years since she became an enka singer. 24 tracks.


Price:   £19.99

Another compilation released to mark Yoko Nagayama's 15 years anniversary since she became an enka singer. 16 of her greatest hits including Suterarete, Higurashi and Jonkara Onna Bushi.

18 tracks of popular war time hits. Enka Kayokyoku classics from artists including Hachiro Konoe, Masaru Shio, Hiroshi Mifune, Isao Hayashi, Bonnie Jacks, Yoshiko Mari, Ichiro Fujiyama and Dark Ducks.


Price:   £17.99

Japan's second city, Osaka in Western Japan, has featured in many enka songs down the years, and this album compiles 18 of them. Artists include Goro Kagami, Yuko Mikasa, Akari Nishi, Mika Jinno, Yutaka Shimazu, Yuri Harada, Mari Natsuki, Miho Aoki and Etsuko Shimazu.

Enka songs that have been featured in ninkyo eiga, or chivalry films, the first genre of yakuza movies, that were particularly popular during the 60s. In these films, the poor gangster would be torn between obligation and loyalty to the gang and his own personal feeling and situation. Those feelings were transmitted through some great enka tunes such as those featured on this album. Singers include Kazuo Chiba, Rintaro Shoji, Michiya Mihashi, Shin Seigawa, Ichiro Mizuki, Yumiko Inoue, Mika Jinno, Yuko Nagai, Ken Takakura and Jiro Shinkawa.


Price:   £17.99

Mood kayo emerged in the early sixties, songs composed by Tadashi Yoshida. They were slow to medium ballads about romance in the big city. This fantastic CD features the great singers of the genre, also known as 'blues enka'. 20 tracks that include Hiroshi Kadokawa, Toshio Mishima, Yutaka Shimazu, Toshi Ito and Happy and Blue, Hiroshi Wada, Hiroshi Mifune and Hiroshi Sawa.

The young new king of 'enka'. The term 'enka' came into use from around the early 1970s. It was a slow type of kayokyoku or Japanese popular tune, but heavily influenced by Japanese elements. Enka is sometimes called 'the Heart of Japan', it's sentimental lyrics concentrate on themes such as the separation of lovers, memories, despair and hope. Singers still usually wear kimono, it's most characteristic vocal style being the warbling crescendo at the end of sentences. Enka is still an extremely popular form of music today, the only national music to rival Japanese pop in the sales charts. It is often sung at karaoke, and although it's listeners are mainly from the older generation, recently some young singers have attracted a younger audience too. The foremost of these is Kiyoshi Hikawa who had a massive hit single and album in 2002 with this album.


Price:   £18.99

The wonderful young pop enka singer has made his most rootsy enka album so far. He really is a great singer and is given the chance to shine here. Includes covers of tunes made famous by the late and great Hibari Misora.

The fourth album in his enka pop series is a double album of 18 tracks, 8 of them are originals and 10 are cover versions. Up to his usual excellent standard.


Price:   £23.99

Young enka star releases a new, impressive album. Quintissential Japanese enka melodies, orchestration, plus ukulele, guitar and large doses of shamisen and shakuhachi. Includes a version of his big hit 'Kiyoshi no Zundoku Bushi', and plenty of heartrending ballads. Hikawa again proves what a great singer he is. Wonderful.

There's a chain of soba (noodle) shops who only play enka over their soundsystem- the quintessential Japanese music inside a quintessential Japanese restaurant. That's the questionable loose theme that holds this album together, but the quality of the music is unquestionable. Not only that but it comes with artist and track names and even liner notes in English. Tracks include Shinichi Mori- Minato Machi Blues, Mina Aoe - Ikebukuro no Yoru, Frank Nagai- Omaeni, Ikuzo Yoshi- Yukiguni, Aki Yashiro- Ame no Bojo. 12 tracks.


Price:   £14.99

Excellent enka compilation, featuring some of the genre's greatest singers and songs by including Shinichi Mori, Sayuri Ishikawa, Hiroshi Itsuki, Aki Yashiro, Takashi Hosokawa, Kazuko Matsumura and Yoko Nagayama. Some of Japan's best loved singers in a quintessentially Japanese style of music. What makes this really special though are the English, giving a real insight into the meaning and background of enka, as well as lyric translations and explanations into the lyrics of each song. 1. Johji Yamamoto, Michinoku Hitoritabi. 2. Sayuri Ishikawa, Amagigoe 3. Shinichi Mori, Erimomisaki 4. Aki Yashiro, Funa Uta 5. Hiroshi Itsuki, Yokohama Tasogare 6. Takashi Hosokawa, Kitasakaba 7. Kazuko Matsumura, Kaettekoiyo 8. Tomosawa Kings, Namida no Misao 9. Kaibara Senri, Mari, Osaka Rhapsody 10. Yoko Nagayama, Suterarete 11. Mina Aoe, Isezakicho Blues 12. Msao Sen, Kitaguni no Haru 13. Yukio Hashi, Itakogasa 14. Frank Nagai, Yurakucho de Aimasho

This is a wonderful compilation of top enka tunes which feature the shamisen. Singers include Tomoko Kanazawa, Yukio Hashi, Yoko Nagayama and Kazuko Matsumura.12 brilliant tracks. Recommended.

1. Jonkara Onna Bushi / YOKO NAGAYAMA 2. Kaette koiyo / KAZUKO MATSUMURA 3. Naniwa Bushi dayo Jinsei wa / TOMOE KIMURA 4. Shimizu no Onnna / YUKI NAGAHO 5. Jongara Nagaredori / AKIKO KANAZAWA 6. Bokyo Shinsouma / SHINOBU KAKYOIN 7. Tsun Tusn Tsugaru / ASAMI HAYASHI 8. Ichiendama no Tabigarasu / SAORI HARUYAMA 9. Shimada no Bum Bum / KAYOKO MITA 10. Tsukiji Akashi-cho / YUKIKO ONO 11. Naniwa no Komoriuta / MASUMI YONEKURA 12. Hokkai Kisen / YUKIO HASHI

Price:   £16.99

Harumi Miyako is one of enka's greatest singers, famed for her growling voice. These are her greatest hits. 1. Anko-tsubaki wa Koi no Hana 2. Namida no Renrakusen 3. Sukini natta hito 4. Onnna no Kaikyo 5. Kita no Yado kara 6. Osaka Shigure 7. Futari no Osaka 8. Naniwa Koi-shigure 9. Meotozaka 10. Sennen no Koto 11. Otaru Unga 12. Yuhi-zaka 13. Tasogare no Hashi 14. Banshu no Eki

Hibari Misora is Japan's greatest ever enka singer, or you could just make that greatest singer ever. Her status is something like Edith Piaf in France, her voice, her songs, seemed to encapsulate the emotional pulse of the nation. She could sing folk style (yuri) koboshi (wavering) was perfect for enka, but she also sung many other styles such as Latin and jazz before she died in 1989 aged 52. 1. Kanashiki Kuchibue 2. Tokyo Kid 3. Echigo-jishi no Uta 4. Watashi wa Machi no Ko 5. Ano Oka Koete 6. Ringo Oiwake 7. Tsugaru no Furusato 8. Edo no Yamitaro 9. Hanagasa Dochu 10. Hibari no Sado Jowa 11. Yawara 12. Kanashii Sake 13. Hitoribocchi 14. Zasso no Uta 15. Sakura no Uta 16. Kawa no Nagare no Yoni 2000

Price:   £18.99

Superb compilation of all the greatest hits from Japan's most loved male enka singer. 16 tracks.

Another of the greatest women enka singers.


Price:   £18.99

Male singer with a fanatical fan base.

Itsuki is another extremely popular male singer.


Price:   £18.99

Currently Japan's most popular female enka singer. The omnipresent Yoshimi has a great voice and a personality to match, that helps to explain that popularity. A collection of standard tunes, the usual mix of emotion and orchestration, melancholy and glitz. Music often described as the heart of the Japanese.