Hiroshi Itsuki’s Stirring New ‘Izakaya’ Song: Why His Duet with Mitsuru Nakamura, Along with ‘Yokohama Tasogare’ and ‘Chigiri,’ Resonates Today

Late night in Shimbashi. You picture it, don’t you? A man sitting alone at the counter, nursing a drink after ducking under the noren curtain. That scene comes to mind so easily because, for our generation, Hiroshi Itsuki's voice is the very embodiment of "grown-up melancholy." When I heard his latest release the other day, I had to pick it up. Even if you're not a die-hard enka or kayokyoku fan, this is one album you don't want to miss.

The buzz is all about the duet "Izakaya," featuring the legendary Hiroshi Itsuki alongside fellow enka heavyweight Mitsuru Nakamura. The moment any enka fan sees that title, "Izakaya," it strikes a chord. In his classic "Yokohama Tasogare," Hiroshi Itsuki painted a poignant, beautiful picture of dusk settling over Yokohama's port town. If that song was about a "city" and "farewell," then this new track, "Izakaya," dives into a more intimate, passionate space—right into the heart of human emotion.

Listening to this new song, what first catches you is its palpable atmosphere. The instrumental arrangement is sparse, stripped down to the essentials, allowing the rich interplay of the two voices to take centre stage. It feels like you're in a quiet corner of a small bar, listening to a tipsy man and woman reminiscing about the past. Mitsuru Nakamura's soulful, resonant voice and Hiroshi Itsuki's seasoned, emotive "crying voice" blend together in perfect, exquisite balance.

This inevitably brings to mind another one of his monumental works, "Chigiri." With its iconic line, "If only we hadn't met that day," the song captured a sense of questioning fate and the acceptance of an inescapable bond. Years later, the "Izakaya" duet feels like what comes after that intense passion—a more serene, yet deeply profound connection, tinged with a sense of resignation.

This is precisely why the new track transcends the typical duet. It resonates as a culmination of Hiroshi Itsuki's artistry. He rose to fame in the 70s with "Yokohama Tasogare," established the aesthetic of a mature man in the 80s with "Chigiri," and now, in the Reiwa era, he’s reached a new peak with the perfect partner, Mitsuru Nakamura. It wouldn't be an overstatement to call this the ultimate expression of "human emotion"—the very theme at the heart of the enka genre.

Looking at the current music scene, with streaming services dominating and a major revival of city pop and kayokyoku among the younger generation, this "Izakaya" by the great Hiroshi Itsuki feels like both a tribute to his past masterpieces like Yokohama Tasogare and Chigiri, and a strong contender for becoming a new standard in its own right.

Let’s break down the charm of this track:

• Lyrics steeped in Showa-era mood – Words like "whiskey," "glass," and "rain" create a cinematic atmosphere, layering on the emotion like a scene from a film.
• The powerhouse duo of Hiroshi Itsuki & Mitsuru Nakamura – The "chemical reaction" of two artists, each with a monumental solo career, drawing out the best in each other's vocal expression, is the song's greatest highlight.
• A lingering aftertaste that sparks imagination – Could the protagonist from "Yokohama Tasogare" be the same man in this izakaya, years later? The song has the depth to fuel such intriguing thoughts.

Ultimately, timeless songs always gently fill the spaces in our hearts. Whether it's a drink after work, a night of reminiscing about the past, or a moment you want to quietly clink glasses with someone special—this song, "Izakaya," fits those moments perfectly. From Showa to Reiwa, even as eras change, the stories of men and women that Hiroshi Itsuki sings will surely continue to be a guiding light for our emotions.

If you haven't heard it yet, I urge you to put on your headphones during a quiet evening and lose yourself in the dramatic world woven by Hiroshi Itsuki and Mitsuru Nakamura. I'm sure you'll discover your own special "izakaya" within it.