Bin Uehara

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]

Bin Uehara
Background information
Birth name	Rikiji Matsumoto
Born	(1908-08-26)August 26, 1908 Akita Prefecture, Japan
Died	July 29, 1944(1944-07-29) (aged 35) New Guinea
Genres	Ryūkōka
Occupation	Singer
Years active	1936–1943

Life

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

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

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
• 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

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. "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.