Weird News From Japan: The Tiger Woods of Enka

An African American (whose grandmother is Japanese) named Jero-san has become the first black Enka singer.

Here he is on TV, replete with biographical information as to his rise to Enka stardom:

Enka is often regarded by the younger Japanese generations as corny music for old people. Here's what wikipedia has to say about it:

Enka refers to two styles of Japanese music. The first is speeches set to music which were sung and spread by political activists during the Meiji period (1868–1912) and the Taisho period (1912–1926) as a means to avoid crackdowns by the government on speeches of political dissent. The second is a genre of Japanese popular songs (kayōkyoku) developed in the postwar Showa period (1926-1989) , which has been likened to American country music and Portuguese Fado in terms of themes and audience. The term now usually refers to the latter type of traditional and melodramatic popular songs.

Modern enka (演歌 — from 演 en performance, entertainment, and 歌 ka song) came into being in the postwar years of the Shōwa period. It was the first style to synthesize the Japanese pentatonic scale with Western harmonies.^[clarify] Enka lyrics, as in Portuguese Fado, usually are about the themes of love and loss, loneliness, enduring hardships, and persevering in the face of difficulties, even suicide or death. Enka suggests a more traditional, idealized, or romanticized aspect of Japanese culture and attitudes, comparable to American country and western music.

The most well-known and beloved performer of this genre is Hibari Misora (1937–1989), who was known as the "Queen of Enka" and "Queen of Showa" for the period (1926–1989) when she lived and was most popular.

The best-selling enka on the oricon chart is Onna no Michi, which sold over 3.25 million copies, the second best-selling single behind Oyoge! Taiyaki-kun.

In recent decades, enka music has declined in sales and in recognition as Western-derived J-pop music has become more popular, and enka's traditional themes are no longer appreciated among younger Japanese generations. However, there are still many in Japan who enjoy this genre. Its popularity among younger Japanese people has increased lately because of singer Kiyoshi Hikawa and the early solo releases of then-Morning Musume member Yuko Nakazawa. Enka singers, who are predominantly women, usually perform in a kimono or in evening dress. Male enka performers tend to wear formal dress, or in some performances, traditional attire.

Nods to traditional Japanese music are common in enka, usually in the form of an interlude featuring instruments like the shinobue and the shamisen. Besides television, enka can be heard in many restaurants, drinking establishments, karaoke bars, and cafes.

In the United States, enka continues to remain popular among a section of the (typically older) Japanese-American population, and enka also has many fans among non-Japanese. There are some enka orchestras and performers active in the U.S., such as the San Jose Chidori Band, which occasionally performs at O-Bon festivals in the summer.

As of 2008 Jero has become the first black enka singer in 25 years to make the top 5 with his debut single "UmiYuki". By wearing modern hip-hop street fashion and performing the traditional style of music Jero has said he hopes to help bring appreciation of enka music to a younger audience.

Here are some photos of traditional Enka: