The Diva's Decision: Hibari Misora and the Kohaku Uta Gassen (1974)

The Diva's Decision: Hibari Misora and the Kohaku Uta Gassen (1974)

1. the uproar over her appearance in the Kohaku Uta Gassen
In 1974, Hibari Misora, a brilliant diva in the Japanese music world, was in the middle of a controversy over her appearance in the Kohaku Uta Gassen. She was already at the top of the Japanese singing world, and everyone was enchanted by her voice. However, starting in 1973, her appearance in the Kohaku Singing Contest became uncertain, leading to speculation among fans. Some said that Hibari's appearance could affect the state of Kohaku, which is said to be "a microcosm of the entertainment industry," and her movements became an issue for the entire entertainment industry.

Kohaku, the Root of All Evil in the Entertainment Industry
In postwar Japan, the Kohaku Uta Gassen established a special status as a national program. However, it was also entangled in the unique dynamics of the entertainment industry, and the opaqueness of the selection criteria and the influence of entertainment production companies were seen as problematic. NHK was at a crossroads: should it stick to its traditional enka line or encourage the emergence of new songs and idols? Symbolic of this was the issue of Hibari Misora's participation. If she participated, it would be "tradition"; if she declined, it would be "change" - a turning point in Japanese music history.

Misora Hibari's Decision
Hibari finally made the decision to withdraw from Kohaku. This was not simply a matter of scheduling, but a choice that reflected her attitude toward the entertainment industry. The honor that comes with appearing on Kohaku was no longer a necessity for her, and she believed that by "daring not to appear," she could make her presence even more prominent. Furthermore, she was looking for new challenges during this period, exploring the possibility of expanding overseas rather than domestically.

4. public reaction and afterwards
When Hibari's withdrawal was reported, public reaction was very divided. Some lamented that "Kohaku without her would be tasteless," while others defended her, saying that "she is beyond the framework of Kohaku. Not being able to hear her voice, which had become an end-of-year tradition, was a sad event for viewers, and is said to have affected the program's ratings. This decision led to a rethinking of the very nature of the Kohaku program, and became part of a trend that forced the Japanese music industry to make changes.

5. the diva as a legend
The relationship between Hibari Misora and the Kohaku Uta Gassen was not merely a matter of a singer and a program, but a symbolic event that reflected the Japanese entertainment industry itself. Her decision once again highlighted the influence of Kohaku and the power relations in the entertainment industry. Above all, it was an event that proved that Hibari Misora, as the "diva of the Showa era," had an existence that transcended the framework of Kohaku. Her voice continues to resonate freely and timelessly.