enka
what it is
Enka (演歌) is a Japanese music genre considered to resemble traditional Japanese music stylistically. Modern enka, however, a relatively recent musical form as developed in the postwar era, is a form of sentimental ballad music. The term enka was first used to refer to political texts set to music which were sung and distributed by opposition activists belonging to the Freedom and People's Rights Movement during the Meiji period (1868–1912) as a means of bypassing government curbs on speeches of political dissent.
✦ start here: albums
✦ who's making it, level by level
level 4 · further
art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
level 5 · all the way
deep experimental
✦ make enka a playlist
turn these 13 artists into something you can press play on.
✦ nearby genres
questions
What is enka?
Enka (演歌) is a Japanese music genre considered to resemble traditional Japanese music stylistically. Modern enka, however, a relatively recent musical form as developed in the postwar era, is a form of sentimental ballad music. The term enka was first used to refer to political texts set to music which were sung and distributed by opposition activists belonging to the Freedom and People's Rights Movement during the Meiji period (1868–1912) as a means of bypassing government curbs on speeches of political dissent.
What are good enka albums to start with?
Try 全曲集 by 梶芽衣子, 明日の夫婦酒 by 吉幾三&香西かおり, Playback Series Kiyoshi Nakajou by Kiyoshi Nakajou, and ボーイ by Douji Morita.
Who are some women making enka?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/enka/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making enka, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-19