**"Happiness Enka Genealogy: Miyuki Kawanaka and the Age of Affection," late 1970s to 1990s**.

**"Happiness Enka Genealogy: Miyuki Kawanaka and the Age of Affection," late 1970s to 1990s**.

Miyuki Kawanaka (born December 5, 1955) is an enka singer from Suita City, Osaka Prefecture. Her real name is Kimiko Yamada (née Kawanaka), and after debuting in 1973 under the stage name Harumi Kasuga, she made her debut again in 1977 under her current stage name, gaining attention that same year with "Anata ni Kitekake. Since then, she has continued to play a central role in the Japanese enka world and has participated in the NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen 24 times, including as a soloist in the red group in 2006.

One of her best-known songs, "Futari Sake" (1980), which describes a sad love affair between a man and a woman and a quiet evening of drinking, was highly acclaimed for Kawanaka's soft vibrato and warmth of voice. The following song, "Echizen Misaki" (1984), is a lyrical piece that combines the rough seas of the Hokuriku region with the unfulfilled dreams of a woman, and is a work that shines for its rich emotional expression. Futarikusa" (1998), a song that compares a married couple cuddling together to flowers and grasses, has become synonymous with "enka" (enka about happiness). These works embody Kawanaka's musical views that value "humanity and love," and they still resonate with many people today.

Kawanaka's singing style is characterized by his ability to carefully capture the emotion of the lyrics without relying on excessive technique. He skillfully uses both the tension and roundness of his voice, and his singing style, which is simple yet deeply emotional, is especially convincing in songs about the subtleties of life. The vibrato that envelops her melodies and the way she speaks to the audience have made her a symbol of "Happiness Enka," and she has become familiar to people of all ages.

Kawanaka also has a wide range of talent as an artist, appearing on stage and in TV dramas, and is known for her deep love of Japanese culture, including handicrafts and kimonos. In recent years, she has shown that she is still going strong with new songs such as "Koijo Uta" (2023), and her voice, which has gained maturity, still captures the hearts of enka fans.

The period from the late 1970s to the 1990s, when she rose to prominence, could be called the golden age of female enka singers, and featured a lineup of famous singers such as Sachiko Kobayashi, Aki Yatsushiro, and Sayuri Ishikawa. Sayuri Ishikawa sang "Tsugaru Kaikyo Fuyunkei" and "Amagi Koshi" with lyrical melancholy, Aki Yashiro embodied the mood of an urban adult with "Funauta" and "Ame no Moyojo," and Sachiko Kobayashi left a strong impression with her big hit "Omoide-shu" and her gorgeous costumes in Kohaku.

Miyuki Kawanaka, on the other hand, has established "Shiawase Enka" (happy enka), a style of singing about the love between a couple and the small happiness of everyday life, valuing "snuggling songs" and "the warmth of home" over showiness. She has established a different position from other enka singers, and has brought a new sensitivity and warmth to the enka world, making her a rare presence.