Chiyoko Shimakura (島倉 千代子, Shimakura Chiyoko) (30 March 1938 – 8 November 2013) was an Enka singer and TV presenter in Japan.[1] She was considered "the Goddess of Enka".

Chiyoko Shimakura
Background information
Born(1938-03-30)30 March 1938
OriginTokyo, Japan
Died8 November 2013(2013-11-08) (aged 75)
GenresEnka
Occupation(s)Singer, lyricist
Years active1954–2013 (her death)
LabelsColumbia Music Entertainment

Career

edit

Chiyoko was born in Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo, Japan. In 1954 Chiyoko won the 1st prize of the Columbia Music Entertainment singers competition.[1] In 1955, she made her recording début with the single "Konoyo no Hana".[1] She was an Enka singer who appeared in NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen, starring 35 times, including 30 consecutive years straight.[1] However, she forgot her song lyrics in 1996. She participated again in the Kohaku in 2004. [citation needed]

Death

edit
 
Shimakura's grave at her hometown Shinagawa

After a long battle with liver cancer, she died, at age 75, on 8 November 2013.

Discography

edit
  • Konoyo no Hana (この世の花) (1955) (The Fruit and Bloom in the world) - Chiyoko herself is featured in the movie of the same name.[1]
  • Tōkyō Dayo Okkasan (東京だョお母さん) (1957) (Mummy, here we are in Tōkyō),[1] which sold more than 1 million copies.[1]
  • Jinsei Iroiro (人生いろいろ) (1987)[1]

Charts and awards

edit

Chart

edit

Weekly

Year Chart Song Peak
position
Appearances
(Weeks)
1987 Japanese Singles Chart Jinsei Iroiro (人生いろいろ) 16[2] 86[2]

Award

edit
Year Award Category Song Result
1987 Japan Record Awards (日本レコード大賞) Best Singer Jinsei Iroiro (人生いろいろ) Won[1]

State honors, awards and decorations

edit

Filmography

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "'Enka' icon Shimakura dies at 75". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 2013-11-11. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
  2. ^ a b c "島倉千代子のシングル売上TOP4作品" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on 2023-11-07. Retrieved 2023-11-07. 人生いろいろ 発売日 1987年04月21日 最高順位 16位 登場回数 86週
edit