Japanese rokyoku: the traditional Naniwa-bushi narrative song
From the world of Japanese rōkyoku—also known as Naniwabushi—here are classic masterpieces recommended by our studio staff.
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- [Let's Enjoy Japanese Festival Songs!] Songs about festivals. Famous songs related to festivals.
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Japanese rokyoku. Traditional Naniwabushi (1–10)
The Tale of Tenpō Suikoden: The Flower Banquet at Sasagawa (Part 1)Katsutarō Tamagawa II
The sixth president of the Japan Rōkyoku Association.
When it comes to Katsutarō, his signature piece is unquestionably Tenpō Suikoden.
His beautifully flowing delivery of “the river breeze of the Tone…” became a nationwide sensation through recordings, and ever since, Suikoden has been a hallmark of the Tamagawa school.
He retired in 1964 and passed away in 1969.
Sado Love Story (I)Suzu ki Yoneru waka
The classic rokyoku piece Sado Love Story, which begins with the familiar line “To Sado, to Sado…,” was created by the first Suzukiya Yonewaka himself and made into his signature act.
He was also highly respected and served as president of the Japan Rokyoku Association for three terms.
One of the stars of the postwar rokyoku boom.
Kimura's plumMichiko Fuji
She became a disciple of female rokyoku performer Fuji Kotorō in 1994.
With a dignified, songful delivery, she steadily honed her craft and, starting in 2013, served as the 18th president of the Japan Rokyoku Association.
At the same time, she has worked to promote rokyoku by teaching classes at culture schools, among other efforts.
Japanese rōkyoku: the traditional Naniwabushi (11–20)
Kannon Sutra with Song: The Opening Volume of Kichigorō’s TaleHiroshi Mikado
The ninth president of the Japan Rōkyoku Association.
When it comes to Hiroshi Mikado, he’s synonymous with “Uta-iri Kannon-kyō.” His bright, melodic singing style was beloved by rōkyoku fans from before the war through the postwar era, and it became a massive hit with two million records sold.
It was also adapted into a pop song by Hibari Misora.
Akagaki Genzo: Articles of Prohibition on AlcoholTōchūken Un’emon
A legendary rōkyoku performer who was active from the Meiji to Taishō eras.
His own life was even made into a rōkyoku piece.
The only surviving recordings are on SP records, but his clear, lustrous voice makes it easy to understand why Un’emon’s records sold explosively at the time.
Palanquin GhostUn Sakai
Born in 1898.
After becoming a disciple of Tochuken Un’emon at age 16, he established a “literary rokyoku” style that set itself apart from traditional rokyoku.
He was among those who rode the postwar rokyoku boom.
He was also the mentor of singer Murata Hideo during Murata’s youth as a rokyoku performer, and he gave him the stage name “Sakai Unbō.”
Chawan Row HouseUrataro Higashiya the Second
Born in 1942.
After entering the Tōke Gakuura school in 1955, he changed his name to Hideo Ōta in 1970 and in 1995 succeeded to the stage name of the second Tōke Uratārō.
He also served as the 15th president of the Japan Rōkyoku Association.
This “Chawan Nagaya” follows almost the same story as the rakugo piece “Ido no Chawan” (The Teacup of the Well).