Hanko Kagurazaka

Hanko Kagurazaka (March 24, 1931 – June 10, 1995) real name is Tamago Suzuki. She recorded numerous songs for Nippon Columbia and Crown Records, and was a famous Japanese geisha and singer during the Showa era. Hanako Kagurazaka was born on March 24, 1931 (Showa 6) in Tokyo. Her real name was Tamako Suzuki.Her parents ran a restaurant in Tokyo. Despite their objections, she resolutely went to Kagurazaka at the age of 16 to become a geisha. Later, Kagurazaka Hanko's singing ability became well-known, and composer Koga Masao and lyricist Saijo Yaso, having heard rumors of her talent, came to meet her through an introduction from composer Manjome Tadashi. Koga was impressed by her outspoken and straightforward personality, she was scouted by Columbia Records.In April 1952, she made her debut in Japan with "Konna Watashi Ja Nakatta Ni", composed by Koga.In September, "Geisha Waltz" created as a counterpoint to Chiemi Eri's "Tennessee Waltz", became a huge hit, catapulting her to stardom. She became an overnight star singer. She went on to release numerous hit songs, including "Don't Look, Please, Moon" (1953) and "Yunomachi Tsubaki" (1954). Furthermore, she appeared on NHK's Kohaku Uta Gassen (Red and White Song Contest) for two consecutive years.Hanko Kagurazaka was so popular that Victor Records even produced a singer named Kagurazaka Ukiko, but she retired in 1955 (Showa 30) at the request of her guarantor. Officially, it was reported that she retired to get married.In 1968, she made a sudden return to singing. After her return, she was signed to Nippon Crown Records, and later returned to her former label, Columbia, where she re-recorded her past hit songs. Hanko Kagurazaka also appeared on numerous television programs, including Tokyo Channel 12's "Nostalgic Songs," where she performed a series of hit songs, including "Geisha Waltz."However, after the late 1970s, due to the failure of her own business ventures, she completely retired from singing. Hanko Kagurazaka never returned to performing and died quietly on June 10, 1995, at Bunam Hospital in Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture, from liver cancer. She was 64 years old. "神楽坂はん子プロフィール". Columbia. Retrieved 2016-05-14. "芸者歌手　神楽坂はん子". 大江戸歴史散歩を楽しむ会. Retrieved 2016-05-14. "昭和期の芸者歌手、神楽坂はん子". Ameblo. Retrieved 2024-03-24. "芸者が人気歌手に？総理大臣の愛人にも？戦前・戦後の音楽シーンを席巻した"うぐいす芸者"ブームとは". Yahoo. Retrieved 2026-05-05. "神楽坂はん子 - 演歌ナビ". navi. Retrieved 2013-06-17.