Photo: Ogiyoshisan / CC BY-SA 4.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)

Saburō Kitajima

Saburō Kitajima was born October 4, 1936 (age 90). From Shiriuchi, Hokkaidō, Japan. Height 161 cm. Singer / composer / lyricist. 249 credited works.

Singer from Japan

Hokkaidō
singer
composer
lyricist

Saburō Kitajima was born on October 4, 1936 in Shiriuchi, Hokkaidō, Japan and is credited as a singer, composer and lyricist. That puts Saburō Kitajima at 90 years old in 2026. Education on record includes Hokkaido Hakodate Nishi High School. Awards on record include The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette (2016) and Japan Record Awards. The listed height is 161 cm.

My Take

Saburō Kitajima is one of those voices that stops being a singer and becomes part of the national landscape. Born in 1936 in Shiriuchi, a small town in Hokkaidō, he stands 161 cm — and yet songs like 'Yosaku' and 'Hakodate no Hito' come out of him with a force that seems physically unreasonable. What I admire is not the technique but the point of view. Enka in his hands is sung from the tired side of life: migrant labor, married endurance, obligations between men. That is why listeners hear their own story inside it. He also wrote, composed, acted, and built a business around the music, and Japan eventually gave him the Order of the Rising Sun. That is a country formally bowing to a man who kept singing for ordinary people.

This take was written by generative AI, one per person, from publicly reported facts (editorial policy). It is a reading of the record, not reporting.

1. Profile

Name (English): Saburō Kitajima
Name (Japanese): 北島三郎
Reading: きたじまさぶろう
Born: October 4, 1936 (age 90)
Origin: Shiriuchi, Hokkaidō, Japan
Height: 161 cm
Occupation: singer / composer / lyricist / businessperson / actor
Zodiac / Chinese zodiac: Libra / Rat

2. Background

High school: Hokkaido Hakodate Nishi High School

Awards & achievements

2016 The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette
Japan Record Awards

3. Works & records

Works summary

Appearances: 249
By year (titles with a known year): 1960: 1, 1963: 2, 1964: 2, 1965: 2, 1966: 4, 1967: 2, 1968: 4, 1969: 4, 1970: 3, 1971: 4, 1972: 5, 1973: 2, 1974: 3, 1975: 3, 1976: 4, 1977: 2, 1978: 3, 1979: 2, 1980: 3, 1981: 1, 1982: 1, 1983: 2, 1984: 2, 1985: 2, 1986: 1, 1987: 1, 1988: 1, 1989: 3, 1990: 2, 1991: 2, 1992: 2, 1993: 2, 1994: 1, 1995: 1, 1996: 2, 1997: 2, 1998: 1, 1999: 3, 2000: 2, 2001: 1, 2002: 1, 2003: 2, 2004: 3, 2005: 2, 2006: 2, 2007: 1, 2008: 1, 2009: 1, 2010: 3, 2011: 2, 2012: 1, 2013: 2, 2014: 3, 2015: 4, 2016: 1, 2017: 1, 2018: 1, 2020: 1, 2025: 2, year unknown: 125

Filmography / notable works

Category	Title
Notable work	Kyōdai Jingi
Notable work	Kaerokana
Notable work	Hakodate no Hito
Notable work	Yosaku
Notable work	Fūfu Isshō
Notable work	Bungacha Bushi

4. Links

Official sitehttp://www.kitajima-music.co.jp/sabu/
Wikipedia (English)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabur%C5%8D%20Kitajima
Wikipedia (Japanese)https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%8C%97%E5%B3%B6%E4%B8%89%E9%83%8E
Wikidatahttps://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1070572

5. About this entry

Frequently asked questions

When was Saburō Kitajima born?

Saburō Kitajima was born on October 4, 1936 and is 90 years old.

Where is Saburō Kitajima from?

Saburō Kitajima is from Shiriuchi, Hokkaidō, Japan.

What does Saburō Kitajima do?

Saburō Kitajima works as singer, composer, lyricist, businessperson, actor.

How tall is Saburō Kitajima?

Saburō Kitajima is 161 cm tall.

Which high school did Saburō Kitajima attend?

Saburō Kitajima attended Hokkaido Hakodate Nishi High School.

What is Saburō Kitajima known for?

Saburō Kitajima's notable works include Kyōdai Jingi, Kaerokana, Hakodate no Hito.

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