As promised from last night's article "Happiness" by Godiego's Yukihide Takekawa (タケカワユキヒデ), I have a kayo that would have been used as a nice ditty to go with a wedding reception.
Titled "Koko ni Shiawase Ari" (There Is Happiness Here) from 1956, this was the second single recorded by Yoshiko Ohtsu（大津美子）following her debut of the spicy "Tokyo Anna"（東京アンナ）. Unlike the rumbling Mood Kayo of that song, "Koko ni Shiawase Ari" is a tenderhearted love song that sounds as if it could have been recorded anytime between the 1920s and the 1950s. And I think Ohtsu's high-pitched operatic vocals fit this song even better than with "Tokyo Anna". Perhaps I could see her as the Japanese equivalent of Jeannette McDonald (Google it).
The song was written by Kikutaro Takahashi（高橋掬太郎）and composed by Saburo Iida（飯田三郎）. Even though I couldn't find out any details on exactly how many records were sold, "Koko ni Shiawase Ari", according to J-Wiki's article on the singer, was an unprecedented hit for Ohtsu. Apparently, it's still a karaoke favourite among ethnic Japanese living in far-flung places such as Hawaii and Brazil. As you can see above, the singer has performed it on stage many times but although she has appeared on NHK's Kohaku Utagassen a total of 7 times, she only performed her hit song just once at her final appearance on the New Year's Eve special in 1990.
Hi J-Canuck.
ReplyDeleteWell I'm quite late to the party, but congrats to alina on her wedding! May she have a blessed marriage.
So this is the song you were talking about in "Happiness". To be frank I wasn't expecting this, as you'd say, old chestnut but it's nice to see "Koko ni Shiawase Ari" having a place on the blog.
I have to say both "Happiness" and "Koko ni Shiawase Ari" give me different ideas of a wedding, but they are indeed very apt for the occasion. The former, which sounds a little like a Chicago tune, gives me the impression of a modern wedding where the proceedings are a bit more lax. The latter on the other hand has me thinking of the traditional and grand sort of wedding, and I could picture the bride walking down the aisle the moment the soft strings hit me at the start.
Hi Noelle.
DeleteThat's a good point about the images when you hear both songs. Perhaps "Happiness" is more of the modern wedding in the church followed by that reception in a hotel or really nice restaurant whereas "Koko ni Shiawase Ari" is performed in a Buddhist temple after which the big party is held in an old countryside home.
I just love the song so much...I got teary-eyed each time I listen to it...I was born 1957 it's supposed to mean " Happiness"...thanks Ohtsu!
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading the article and I'm glad that you've been enjoying the song.
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