The term Enka (演歌) is used in two ways. The first is to describe a traditional type of Japanese music from both the Meiji period (1868–1912) and the Taisho period (1912-1926).
The second usage of the term Enka is to describe a kind of melodramatic Japanese popular song, which has been likened to American country music in terms of themes and audience. The term is usually used in this way now.
In recent decades, Enka music has declined both in sales and in recognition as American-like J-Pop music has become more popular. However, there are still many in Japan who like it. Its popularity among younger Japanese people has increased lately because of singer Kiyoshi Hikawa. Enka singers, especially females, usually perform in a kimono.
Enka artists include (famous now)
- Aki Yashiro
- Ayako Fuji
- Chiyoko Shimakura
- Fuyumi Sakamoto
- Harumi Miyako
- Hibari Misora
- Kaori Kouzai
- Kaye Eunsook
- Kiyoko Suizenji
- Kiyoshi Hikawa
- Mitsuko Nakamura
- Miyako Ohtsuki
- Miyuki Kawanaka
- Natsuko Godai
- Nobue Matsubara
- Saburo Kitajima
- Sayuri Ishikawa
- Takhashi Hosokawa
- Tendo Yoshimi
- Toshimi Tagawa
- Yoko Nagayama
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