This blog will consist of information about the origins of enka and trot music in Japan and Korea. The research will mainly focus on the beginning of enka, influences of Japanese enka to Korean trot, famous enka singers, and popularity among social classes and different age groups.

Enka music dates back to the Meiji Period (1868-1912) when Japan started its modernization from an isolated country. The book Tears of Longing: Nostalgia and the Nation in Japanese Popular Song by Christine Yano provided a lot of useful information about the origins of enka. Enka is abbreviated for enzetsu no uta (oratorical song) and became known as a "speech song" for people who agreed with the freedom and people's rights movement of 1874-1890. The Meiji Government in response restricted public expression in an attempt to stop the movement. This type of speech-song avoided the governments restrictions which allowed their messages to spread to large groups in the streets without attracting police. Problems of farmers and land tax reformation were just a few topics included to attract more people. A sample of this sort of enka with a politcal meaning behind it can be heard here:

Marching Through Georgia

Originally, enka was half-sung and half-spoken by enkashi (enka singer) without a musical accompaniment. Enka performed in the streets sounded like any other street vendor shouting, but the goal of enkashi was to deliver the message in an entertaining way and gain support politically. These enkashi would distribute and sell their lyrics but also be watchful for the police. Eventually, the enka singers became less political and more of entertainers. Soeda Azembo's enka song "Rappa Bushi" became very popular around 1904 and became the most famous enka composer and performer of the Meiji period. Soon western instruments, like the violin or guitar, were added as accompaniment to the enka singers. Bringing in the western instruments were suggested by the elite who thought it would help attract a more prestigious crowd.

Rappa Bushi (Bugle Call Song)

The more common form of enka known today started in the 1920s. As discussed in class, enka consists of sentimental nostalgia, lost love, and melancholy. There is also a stylized vocalization with a lot of vibrato and ornamentation. Hibari Misora was the most popular female enka singer of all time. She started her career at the age of 12 in 1949 as a child start, dancing and singing in films. "Ringo Oiwake" is one of the songs she sang which was one of the examples shown in class. This song does a great job exemplifying the dramatic tone and melancholic lyrics used in enka.

Ringo Oiwake - Hibari Misora

Kawa no nagare no you ni - Hibari Misora

As you can see, the outfits an enka singer would typically wear is a suit or Japanese garb for men, and a kimono or evening dress for women. You will also notice the major westernized aspects of enka with the accompanying band. Brass, strings, and percussion instruments can all be heard in the background in this next video.

Mata Au Himade - Ozaki Kiyohiko

There are a greater number of female enka singers than male enka singers, although males tend to have a longer career. Unlike j-pop and k-pop, enka doesn't focus on sexualization. Enka singers are conservative and generally have to able to convey their emotions while singing. The vocal stylistics is what makes enka have that nostalgic feeling. This video provides an example of how vocal ornamentation is greatly used to bring out the emotions of the lyrics.

Enka Michi - Aiko Moriyama

Enka is not only well known in Japan, it became popular in other countries as well. Jero is an African-American enka singer. His grandmother was Japanese and often sang enka songs to Jero. At a young age, he knew he wanted to pursue this career. He is the first black enka singer in Japanese music history. Here we see him surprising Japanese people with his talents.

Return to Pusan Port - Jero

Koreans also have their own form of enka known as trot. It is believed that trot was derived from enka when the Japanese occupied Korea between 1910-1945. Similar to enka, trot uses the pentatonic scale, themes of nostalgia, longing, love, and feelings of loss. The vocal style for trot uses wide vibrato with dramatic slides and timbral inflections.

Return to Pusan Port - Cho Yong-pil

Enka and trot are not as popular as they used to be, but current popular j-pop and k-pop artists have included it in their concerts as some sort of revival. Here is a video of Daesung from the k-pop group Big Bang, performing a medley of trot songs with a modern twist.

Trot Medley - Daesung

Most of the listeners of enka, as well as the singers, are usually those over the age of 40. Enka songs are definitely on a different scale of popularity than mainstream pop songs. A new song would usually have to slowly make its way up by being broadcast on the radio and TV exposure. Karaoke also helped promote songs to young and old listeners. Once a song gets categorized as a great hit, it stay popular whether or not it has a place on the charts. Having only one or two great hits is enough to ensure the enka singer will be well known for quite some time. Younger Japanese or Koreans would probably prefer listening to Big Bang, 2NE1, Hey! Say! JUMP, Wondergirls, IU, DBSK, etc. than Hibiri Misora or Ozaki Kiyohiko since it is viewed as old-fashioned and has a slower tempo than the more upbeat generation of today. However, those with a love for oldies will appreciate this type of genre.

In conclusion, I learned that enka was not originally just a singer singing about love and melancholy thoughts, but it was a political tactic used to spread messages to groups of people all over town discretely enough to avoid police from suspecting a thing. Japan was greatly influenced by the westernization of their music, especially after the war. Although the western instruments give enka a more modern take, it is still very Japanese with the lyrics and clothing and the history of its origins back in the Meiji era. The young and old can appreciate this type of music, but of course the older generation are the majority. Enka can adapted by other countries and be enjoyed internationally by everyone. This genre is definitely an oldie, but surely is a goodie.

References:

• 조용필 돌아와요 부산항에 [Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zGtz3Rc8Dw.

• ジェロ - 演歌歌手 [Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqtgJ5TJi8M.
• Daesung Trot [Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfB_2qwALME.
• Enka Michi [Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3I5CyPo3Ps.
• "Enka Music." Enka Music, Best Enka Songs. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 May 2014.
• "Just What Is Enka, Anyway?" Nippop | Features. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 May 2014.
• Kawa no nagare no you ni [Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JPKop-dYJ8.
• Marching Through Georgia [Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn4AW8wgjoA.
• Mata Hi Made [Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw43SDL3Yz8.
• Rappa Bushi [Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDRuiCn19HY.
• Ringo Oiwake [Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TleFy69AuS0.
• Yano, Christine Reiko. Tears of Longing: Nostalgia and the Nation in Japanese Popular Song. Cambridge: Harvard U Asia Center, 2002. Print