Hachiro Kasuga

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".[1]

Kasuga Hachirō
春日 八郎
Kasuga Hachiro in 1954
Kasuga Hachiro in 1954
Background information
Birth nameMinoru Watabe
Born(1924-10-09)October 9, 1924
Aizubange, Fukushima, Japan
DiedOctober 22, 1991(1991-10-22) (aged 67)
GenresEnka
Occupation(s)Singer
Years active1947–1991
LabelsKing Records

Having seen Ichiro Fujiyama on stage, he attempted to become a popular singer. After he graduated from the Toyo Music School, he joined the Imperial Japanese Army in 1944, and returned from Taiwan in 1945. He joined Shinjuku Moulin Rouge in 1947 and then King Records in 1949.[2]

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.[3] This single sold 500,000 copies in a half year,[4] and eventually sold more than one million copies.[1]

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.[1][3]

References
  1. "The day that enka singer Hachiro Kasuga died" (in Japanese). Nippon Television. 2008-10-22. Retrieved 2009-02-09.
  2. "Hachiro Kasuga Profile" (in Japanese). Aizubange, Fukushima. Archived from the original on 2012-09-17. Retrieved 2009-02-12.
  3. 歌舞伎ソング・《お富さん》のブーム (in Japanese). JANJAN. 2007-02-15. Archived from the original on 2010-05-04. Retrieved 2009-02-09.
  4. 雑感・戦後日本の世相と流行歌（11） (in Japanese). Asahi Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 2012-02-20. Retrieved 2009-02-09.


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