Last night's broadcast of NHK's morning show "Asaichi"（あさイチ）was once again truncated because of the government deliberations program, so what's a family to do? Instead of trying to search for stuff on Jme, I opted this time to look for something on YouTube because I've found that a lot of long-playing kayo kyoku programs have turned up on the platform. And sure enough, I hit the jackpot since there was a program titled "Jinsei, Uta ga Aru"（人生、歌がある...There's Music in Life）.
A show that's been on TV Asahi's satellite channel since 2020, it's been hosted by a mixture of TV Asahi announcers and enka singers, and at the time of the above video, it was the debonair veteran Hiroshi Itsuki（五木ひろし）and the lovely Natsuko Godai（伍代夏子）on hosting duties. That video was the one that we caught and it happened to be a 2023 episode commemorating the supposed retirement of kayo kyoku singer and actor Yukio Hashi（橋幸夫）who was 80 at the time. I'm surprised that I never mentioned it in any of past articles in 2021 or 2022 but Hashi actually announced back in 2021 that he would be retiring from the spotlight on his 80th birthday on May 3rd 2023 after decades of entertaining the masses.
What looked like the Avengers of the current group of kayo kyoku-singing professionals all assembled to pay tribute to Hashi through covers of his old hits ranging from the haunting "Muhyou"（霧氷）to the jaunty "Koi no Mexican Rock"（恋のメキシカン・ロック）. And it was indeed quite the show for me because I realized that a majority of the songs by him were ones that I had first heard as a diaper-wearing toddler. I repeatedly internally remarked "I know that song!".
However, there were a few songs that had escaped my ears with one being "Wakai Yatsu" (Young Guy) which was Hashi's 23rd single from June 1962. A proud and brassy kayo march, the song was created by the famous songwriting team of lyricist Takao Saeki（佐伯孝夫）and composer Tadashi Yoshida（吉田正）. It was also used as the theme song for the TBS drama of the same title "Wakai Yatsu ~ Hashi Yukio Show"（若いやつ〜橋幸夫ショー〜）. As shown, Hashi was the main star of the series which featured him as the young son in a wealthy family heading to a Tokyo university to learn about life and academics in the big city.
Singer Yukino Ichikawa（市川由紀乃）provided her version of "Wakai Yatsu" for him on "Jinsei, Uta ga Aru". The tribute ended with both Itsuki and Hashi tearing up a bit at the significance of the event. However, the brine was rather wasted when several months later in 2024, Hashi showed up in Tokyo to announce that he just didn't have the heart to retire after all. And so, he's continued to sing and he has vowed that he'll do so until his final breath. I remember Harumi Miyako（都はるみ）doing much the same thing in the 1980s, so it's not unprecedented.
**橋 幸夫 (Hashi Yukio)** is a Japanese singer and actor, widely recognized for his contributions to the popular music genre known as 歌謡曲 (kayōkyoku). He was born on **May 3, 1943**, in Tokyo, Japan. After winning a talent contest in his teenage years, he was signed by Victor Entertainment and made his professional debut in **1960** with the single「潮来笠」(*Itako-gasa*). The song was a major hit and catapulted him to nationwide fame.
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Key Highlights
1. **Early Success**
- Debut single “潮来笠” (*Itako-gasa*, 1960) became a bestseller and established him as a promising young singer.
- Maintained a youthful, dynamic image that appealed to the emerging postwar generation in Japan.
2. **Kayōkyoku and Enka Influence**
- Although often associated with the broader genre of kayōkyoku (a style of Japanese pop music popular before the rise of modern J-pop), many of his songs also lean toward enka—a more traditional ballad style.
- Known for his smooth vocals and clear enunciation, which helped popularize his music among a wide audience.
3. **Collaborations and Acting**
- Performed duets with other popular singers of the era, sometimes appearing on variety shows and special television programs.
- Appeared in films and on stage, showcasing his acting abilities. His screen presence further boosted his popularity.
4. **Kōhaku Uta Gassen Appearances**
- Participated numerous times in NHK’s year-end music show, *Kōhaku Uta Gassen*, one of the most prestigious music programs in Japan.
- Consistent invitations to Kōhaku reflected his status as a major figure in the Japanese entertainment industry.
5. **Legacy**
- One of the central figures during the golden age of kayōkyoku in the 1960s and 1970s.
- Continues to be active in music performances, concert tours, and occasional media appearances, maintaining a loyal fan base.
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橋 幸夫** remains a beloved artist who helped shape modern Japanese pop music. With a career spanning over six decades, he is recognized for his enduring stage presence, his memorable melodies, and his dedication to the craft of performance.
Thank you, Showa Man, for the basics on Hashi. :)
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