kayōkyoku; Showa-era popular music
Refers to a specific genre of Japanese popular music that flourished from the mid-20th century, particularly during the Showa period. Often contrasted with later J-pop.
My grandmother loves kayōkyoku and often listens to Misora Hibari.
この番組では昭和の歌謡曲を特集します。
This program features Showa-era kayōkyoku.
Western pop song
Early Showa-era term for Western-style popular songs, before the genre became firmly associated with Japanese kayōkyoku. Now largely historical.
戦前は、西洋の流行歌を「歌謡曲」と呼ぶこともあった。
Before the war, Western popular songs were sometimes called 'kayōkyoku'.
This kayōkyoku song was a huge hit in the late 1960s.
My grandmother still sings nostalgic kayōkyoku songs.
She is a singer who has been active in the kayōkyoku world for many years.