Chiyoko Shimakura

Japanese singer and TV presenter

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Chiyoko Shimakura

Background information
Born| (1938-03-30)30 March 1938
Origin| Tokyo, Japan
Died| 8 November 2013(2013-11-08) (aged 75)
Genres| Enka
Occupation(s)| Singer, lyricist
Years active| 1954-2013 (her death)
Labels| Columbia Music Entertainment

Musical artist

Chiyoko Shimakura (島倉 千代子, Shimakura Chiyoko) (30 March 1938 – 8 November 2013) was an Enka singer and TV presenter in Japan.[1] She was considered "the Goddess of Enka".

## Career

[edit]

Chiyoko was born in Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo, Japan. In 1954, Chiyoko won the 1st prize of the Columbia Music Entertainment singers competition.[1] In 1955, she made her recording début with the single "Konoyo no Hana".[1] She was an Enka singer who appeared in NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen, starring 35 times, including 30 consecutive years straight.[1] However, she forgot her song lyrics in 1996. She participated again in the Kōhaku in 2004. [citation needed]

## Death

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Shimakura's grave at her hometown Shinagawa

After a long battle with liver cancer, she died, at age 75, on 8 November 2013.

## Discography

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* Konoyo no Hana (この世の花) (1955) (The Fruit and Bloom in the world) - Chiyoko herself is featured in the movie of the same name.[1]
* Tōkyō Dayo Okkasan (東京だョお母さん) (1957) (Mummy, here we are in Tōkyō),[1] which sold more than 1 million copies.[1]
* Jinsei Iroiro (人生いろいろ) (1987)[1]
* Best selling single of hers, selling over 1.3 million copies,[1] won Japan Record Award for Best Singer[1] and peaking at No.16 on weekly Oricon chart for 86 weeks.[2]

## Charts and awards

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## Chart

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Weekly

Year  | Chart  | Song  | Peak
position  | Appearances
(Weeks)

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|
|
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1987  | Japanese Singles Chart | Jinsei Iroiro (人生いろいろ)  | 16[2] | 86[2]

## Award

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Year  | Award  | Category  | Song  | Result

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1987  | Japan Record Awards (日本レコード大賞)  | Best Singer  | Jinsei Iroiro (人生いろいろ)  | Won[1]

## State honors, awards and decorations

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* Japan:  Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon (1999)[1]

## Filmography

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* A Farewell to the Woman Called My Sister (別れの茶摘歌 姉妹篇 お姉さんと呼んだ人 Wakare no chatsumi-uta shimai-hen: Oneesan to yonda hito) (1957)

## References

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1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "'Enka' icon Shimakura dies at 75". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 2013-11-11. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
2. ^ a b c "島倉千代子のシングル売上TOP4作品" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on 2023-11-07. Retrieved 2023-11-07. "人生いろいろ 発売日 1987年04月21日 最高順位 16位 登場回数 86週"

## External links

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* Chiyoko Shimakura at IMDb

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF
* WorldCat

National|

* United States
* Japan

Academics|

* CiNii

Artists|

* MusicBrainz