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Bin Uehara

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Bin Uehara
Background information
Birth nameRikiji Matsumoto
Born(1908-08-26)August 26, 1908
Akita Prefecture, Japan
DiedJuly 29, 1944(1944-07-29) (aged 35)
New Guinea
GenresRyūkōka
OccupationSinger
Years active1936–1943

Bin Uehara (上原 敏, Uehara Bin, August 26, 1908 – July 29, 1944) was a Japanese music (ryūkōka) singer and soldier. He was known for using naniwa-bushi's kobushi vocalism in Japanese popular music. He was killed in action during the eastern New Guinea campaign during the Pacific War.[1][2]

Life

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Uehara was born as Rikiji Matsumoto in Ōdate, Akita Prefecture, Japan.[2] 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 Japanese division of Polydor Records in 1936.[2] 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.[3]

Uehara became a soldier in 1943, went to New Guinea, and was killed in battle on July 29, 1944.[4]

Legacy

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In 1976, a monument honoring him was established in his home city of Ōdate.[5]

Discography

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  • 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
  • Hokuman 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

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  1. ^ 名歌手たち、それぞれの終戦 (in Japanese). JANJAN. October 5, 2006. Archived from the original on September 28, 2008. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
  2. ^ a b c "上原敏" [Uehara Bin]. Nihon Jinmei Daijiten (日本人名大辞典) (in Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2012. Archived from the original on August 25, 2007. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
  3. ^ "Special 2. Japanese popular music (4)" (in Japanese). Toshiba. November 2006. Archived from the original on June 19, 2008. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
  4. ^ "Bin Uehara" (in Japanese). Ōdate City. Archived from the original on October 30, 2007. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
  5. ^ ジャングルの鎮魂歌 ~上原敏と戦後~ (in Japanese). Fuji Television. September 18, 2000. Retrieved May 30, 2009.