Bin Uehara (上原 敏, Uehara Bin, August 26, 1908 – July 29, 1944) was a *anese music (ryūkōka) singer and soldier. He was known for using naniwa-bushi's kobushi vocalism in *anese popular music. He was killed in action during the eastern New Guinea campaign during the Pacific War.

Contents

• 1 Life
• 2 Legacy
• 3 Discography
• 4 References

Life

Uehara was born as Rikiji Matsumoto in Ōdate, Akita Prefecture, *an. He graduated from Senshu University, and made his professional debut with the song "Tsukimi Odori" (月見踊り, lit. "Moon-viewing Dance") under the *anese division of Polydor Records in 1936. His famous songs included the 1937 song "Ruten" (流転, lit. "Stream-rolling"). His vocal style, called kobushi, became popular as the more emphatic form among modern enka singers.

Uehara became a soldier in 1943, went to New Guinea, and was killed in battle on July 29, 1944.

Legacy

In 1976, a monument honoring him was established in his home city of Ōdate.

Discography

• Tsumagoi Dōchū (妻恋道中, In the Way of Wife-love):: 1937
• Ruten (流転, Stream-rolling):: 1937
• Shanghai Dayori (上海だより, Shanghai Letter):: 1938
• Iroha Jingi (いろは仁義, Iroha Benevolence And Righteousness):: 1938
• Nankin Dayori (南京だより, Nanjing Letter):: 1938
• Ho*an Dayori (北満だより, North Manchu Letter):: 1938
• Butaichō to Heitai (部隊長と兵隊, Unit Commander and Soldier):: 1938 with Taro Shoji
• Ore wa Funanori (俺は船乗り, I am a Sailor):: 1939
• Otoko Funanori (男船乗り, Male Sailor):: 1939
• Butsuin Dayori (佛印だより, French Indochina Letter):: 1941

References