Hachiro Kasuga -- Kore ga Jinsei (これが人生)

Donna kurou mo sugita nara (No matter the hardship, once passed)

Same, Hachi, same.

The word "Enka" in reference to the Japanese pop music genre is usually written as "演歌" and sometimes written as "艶歌" in this current day and age. But there are many other ways "Enka" can be written. After all, there is a huge variety of kanji characters read as "en." Inserting various "en" ideographs to write enka suggests that this (enka) song is of a theme and style fitting of the "en" used, while also showcasing that enka can mean different things for different people. Perhaps one of the most well-known "en"ka variants is "怨歌," originating from author Itsuki Hiroyuki (五木寛之), emphasizing enka being an expression of human pain and anguish. But, on the other end of the spectrum is "援歌," coming from lyricist Hoshino Tetsuro (星野哲郎), that shows that enka can also be a music that encourages people.

Warai-banashi ni kawaru mono (They will turn into funny stories)

Hachiro Kasuga (春日八郎) has sung many an "援歌," a few of them helping me to push forth in my endeavors. I would say that one of these enka-ragement songs is "Kore ga Jinsei" (This is Life).

“Kore ga Jinsei” is the first in the video. I also recommend no.5, “Tokyo no Yamabiko”.

"Kore ga Jinsei" was released on July 1964*, and was written by Hiroshi Yokoi (横井弘) and composed by Tadaharu Nakano (中野忠晴). Looking at Nakano’s postwar discography, I believe this was the last song Nakano wrote for Hachi, and I must say, it’s quite the last piece.

Sake ni omoide nomi hoshite (Drink up the wine with the memories)

I came across “Kore ga Jinsei” quite by accident while I was doing some data collection for one of my school-related Hachi projects. It was one of those random medleys I’d chosen to lock distracted and scatterbrained me into doing work while also covering more of Kasuga’s discography I hadn’t yet come across. It was the first song in the video, I was in the extra silent library. The first robust blast of trumpets woke me up. Thanks, Mr. Nakano (?)

Asu no kibo wo utau no da (And sing of the hopes of tomorrow)

To describe Mr. Nakano’s score in a sentence, it’s a koshinkyoku march plus anthem. Giving "Kore ga Jinsei" a grand and triumphant air are the loud and proud wind instruments, the rolling snare drum, and booming bass (?) drum. Admittedly, when I look at just the title, "Kore ga Jinsei" feels like it could be a wistful, "Well, that's life, innit?" sort where the main character hangs their head low in resignation. But, no. Nakano's score screams, "Yes, this is life! Make the most of it with your head held high!" A passionate ode to life. Hearing it just gets the blood pumping - indeed, it fired me up to do the work I'd been beginning to find tedious. 

Yokoi's words essentially articulate what the melody seems to be getting at, or vice versa. His lyrics are on the poetic side of things, but they essentially have Hachi singing: Yes, there may be distractions and very hard times, but take them in stride and in your own time; there is hope and the bad times will eventually pass, and you'll come out of it just fine. On a whole, it's a very inspiring and enka-raging song

The summer wind, and the celebratory
wine of thirty years of joy and sorrow
From "Mikasa" 1971/5/1 Special Issue

If you've noticed, I have written out how I understand "Kore ga Jinsei" in a manner akin to the songwriters and singer physically articulating the song's message. This is because that is exactly how I listen to the song. Sometimes, I want to do many things and prove myself. Often times, I wish I could do better and I become down when I fail to meet my own expectations, especially as of late. But when I hear this song, I feel like I can continue to push forward, one step at a time. I suppose this is what an 援歌 is meant to do. A song that encourages. And I am happy that one of the 援歌 that's playing a big part in my life currently was made by two of my favourite fellas. (´；ω；`)

 

P.S. Because I am nitpicky and like to complicate things, I am personally reluctant to label "Kore ga Jinsei" as an enka song in the traditional sense. It was made even before the genre truly existed and doesn't feel/sound like the stereotypical enka from the 1970s onwards. I would actually consider it an uplifting kayokyoku than enka. BUT, because of what it is, it is essentially a (人生の応)援歌, so I would just call it an enka in the "encouraging song" sense. Also because that fits with the theme I was trying to go for. Please excuse my convoluted kayokyoku vs enka rambles.

* 4 different sources gave me 3 different dates of release: June, July, and August. Since of these resources is from Hachi's museum and it says July 1964, we shall go with that.