Hiroshi Itsuki Tugs at the Heartstrings with a New 'Izakaya' Classic. Why His Duet with Mitsuru Nakamura, 'Yokohama Twilight', and 'Chigiri' Resonate Now

Late night in Shimbashi. You picture it: a man at the counter, nursing a drink, his back to the world. That image comes to mind because, for my generation, Hiroshi Itsuki's voice is the very embodiment of 'grown-up melancholy'. The other day, I heard his latest release and was compelled to pick it up. Even if you're not a die-hard enka or kayokyoku fan, this is one record you don't want to miss.

This time, the talk of the town is the duet "Izakaya" by the undisputed living legend Hiroshi Itsuki and fellow enka heavyweight Mitsuru Nakamura. For any enka fan, the title alone is enough to strike a chord. In that classic, 'Yokohama Twilight', Itsuki painted a picture of Yokohama's port town, a scene of achingly beautiful dusk. Back then, he was singing about a 'city' and a 'farewell'. This time, with 'Izakaya', he's delving into a space that's more intimate, more intense—the very core of human emotion.

Listening to this new song, what strikes you first is its incredible 'atmosphere'. The instrumental backing is stripped back to the bare essentials, letting the rich, intertwined vocals take centre stage. It feels like you're right there in a cosy corner of a small bar, listening to a slightly tipsy man and woman reminiscing about the past. Mitsuru Nakamura's soulful, resonant voice and Hiroshi Itsuki's seasoned, emotive 'crying' vocals blend together in perfect harmony.

And here, it's impossible not to think of another of his monumental works, "Chigiri". With its iconic line, 'I wish I'd never met you that day', that song was a question to fate itself, and an acceptance of an unbreakable 'bond'. Years later, what 'Izakaya' sings about feels like what comes after such intense passion—a gentler, yet equally profound 'connection', tinged with a sense of quiet acceptance.

That's precisely why this new track transcends the simple duet format, resonating as a true culmination of Hiroshi Itsuki's artistry. He was the darling of the era with 'Yokohama Twilight' in the 70s, and he established the aesthetic of the mature man with 'Chigiri' in the 80s. Now, in Reiwa, with the perfect partner in Mitsuru Nakamura, he's reached a new artistic peak. It's no exaggeration to say this is the ultimate expression of 'human emotion', the very theme at the heart of enka.

Looking at the current music scene, with streaming at its peak, we're seeing a huge revival of 'city pop' and kayokyoku among younger generations. Amidst all this, the new single 'Izakaya' from a giant like Hiroshi Itsuki feels at once like a homage to his past classics like Yokohama Twilight and Chigiri, and a hint of a new standard being set.

Let's break down what makes this song so captivating.

• Lyrical World Steeped in Showa-era Mood – The imagery within the lyrics—'whiskey', 'glass', 'rain'—builds an emotional landscape as vivid as a scene from a film.
• The Unbeatable Combination of Hiroshi Itsuki & Mitsuru Nakamura – The 'chemistry' between these two artists, each with such storied solo careers, as they bring out the best in each other's artistry, is the song's greatest highlight.
• A Resonant Depth That Invites Imagination – Could the protagonist from 'Yokohama Twilight' be the very same one sitting in this izakaya, all these years later? Its depth sparks that kind of wonderful speculation.

In the end, the greatest songs are the ones that softly fill the spaces in our hearts. After a long day at work, on a night when memories come flooding back, or when you want to share a quiet toast with someone special—'Izakaya' is the perfect fit for all these moments. From Showa to Reiwa, times may change, but the 'stories of men and women' that Hiroshi Itsuki sings will continue to be a light in our hearts, for years to come.

If you haven't heard it yet, I urge you to put on your headphones some quiet evening and immerse yourself in the dramatic world woven by Hiroshi Itsuki and Mitsuru Nakamura. I'm sure you'll find your very own 'Izakaya' waiting there.