Hachiro Kasuga

Who was Hachiro Kasuga?

Hachiro Kasuga, born as Minoru Watabe, was a Japanese enka singer. He has been dubbed "the first enka singer".

Having seen the stage of Ichiro Fujiyama, he attempted to become a popular singer. After he graduated from the Toyo Music School, he joined the Japanese army in 1944, but returned from Taiwan to Japan in 1945. He joined the Shinjuku Moulin Rouge in 1947 and then the King Records in 1949.

In 1952, Kasuga made his debut with song "Akai lamp no Shū Ressha", which at first got into the news in Nagoya. His popularity soon became widespread. His 1954 song "Otomi-san" 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 single "Wakare no Ipponsugi" 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.