Hachiro Kasuga, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

Hachiro Kasuga

Japanese singer

Date of Birth: 09-Oct-1924

Place of Birth: Aizubange, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan

Date of Death: 22-Oct-1991

Profession: composer, singer

Nationality: Japan

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Hachiro Kasuga (????, Kasuga Hachiro, October 9, 1924 – October 22, 1991), born Minoru Watabe, was a Japanese enka singer.
He has been dubbed "the first enka singer".Having seen Ichiro Fujiyama on stage, he attempted to become a popular singer.
After he graduated from the Toyo Music School, he joined the Imperial Japanese Army in 1944, and returned from Taiwan in 1945.
He joined Shinjuku Moulin Rouge in 1947 and then King Records in 1949.In 1952, Kasuga made his debut with the song "Akai lamp no Shu Ressha" (?????????, lit.
"Last Train with Red Lamp"), which at first got into the news in Nagoya.
His popularity soon became widespread.
His 1954 song "Otomi-san" (????, lit.
"Miss Otomi") 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 the single "Wakare no Ipponsugi" (??????, lit.
"Farewell One Cedar") 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.