is a name taken on by several ''

rōkyoku ''Rōkyoku'' (; also historically called ''naniwa-bushi'', ) is a genre of traditional Japanese narrative singing. This genre is performed by a singer accompanied by a ''shamisen'', ''rōkyoku'' became very popular in Japan during the first half ...

'' singers. Yoshida Naramaru II (July 27, 1879 - January 20, 1967) was a notable ''rōkyoku'', or streetcorner singer of the late nineteenth century in Japan. The type of singing practiced by Naramura diffused throughout the country, and its origin can be traced to the

Osaka is a Cities designated by government ordinance of Japan, designated city in the Kansai region of Honshu in Japan. It is the capital of and most populous city in Osaka Prefecture, and the List of cities in Japan, third-most populous city in J ...

metropolis.The Music of Japan - Brief Summary
Whether Naramura himself was responsible for the diffusion of this unique musical type, or whether he was only a part of the tradition is uncertain, but what could be said at least is that he achieved a degree of reputation as a singer of this genre.

References

1879 births 1967 deaths 19th-century Japanese musicians 19th-century Japanese male musicians 20th-century Japanese musicians 20th-century Japanese male musicians Japanese musicians {{Japan-musician-stub