Below are images of a small collection of vintage pre-1930 Japanese 78 rpm records.



Thanks to David Hopkins, an avid collector of vintage Japanese recordings, for providing the label translations and descriptions below. Very much appreciated!!



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ASAHI label number 312 featuring "Sakanaya Honda" pts 1-2 (not complete) of a naniwabushi narrative song, performed by Kyoyama Hanachiyo, who was a rare female performer of this genre. Probably 1924.

TSURU label number 805 (subsidiary of Asahi) "Yotsuya Kaidan (sometimes Kwaidan)" also a naniwabushi narrative song. Japan's most famous ghost story, also incomplete here, only pts 1-2. Performed by Naniwatei Ayataro. ~1924

NIPPONOPHONE label number 1535/1536 featuring "Sansho Hanshichi", a Gidayu narrative of a complete scene from a longer work, sung by Toyotake Rosho. She was very popular and this is probably a reissue. mid 1920s

NIPPONOPHONE label number 2703/2704 featuring "Nichiren Ki", a biographical narrative song about the founder of the Nichiren Buddhist Sect, pts 3-4 only. Sung by Tochukan Kumoemon, the most famous of all naniwabushi singers. (Reissue)

30 Nitto NITTO label number 30 featuring "Asagao", a complete scene in two parts from a play, performed again by gidayu singer Toyotake Rosho. (Reissue)

177 Nitto NITTO label number 177 featuring "Oharabushi sawagi", 2 pts complete, performed by Ohara Manryu Ichiza. Sounds like a theatrical company name.

NITTO label number 346 featuring "Sendai Hagi" a joruri narration pts 1-2 not complete by Takemoto Jitodayu (?)

NITTO label number 613 featuring "Akagaki Genzo", a chikuzen biwa narration of a heroic story, performed by someone named Toyota (I can't read the given name) it's probably complete over 4 parts

NITTO label number 614 featuring "Akagaki Genzo", a chikuzen biwa narration of a heroic story, performed by someone named Toyota (I can't read the given name) it's probably complete over 4 parts

NITTO label number 1466 featuring another naniwabushi, "Fuwa Shikiemon (?)" performed by Tochukan Myoun, a disciple of Kumoemon listed above. Complete in 2 parts

Purple NITTO label number 1901 featuring "Egypt no Yu" on the A side. This is a genre called shoseibushi, the songs are often topical, sometimes political, usually very simple arrangements (sometimes only voice and violin.) Performer is Saito Issei. B-side is "Kokyo no Uta"

Purple NITTO label number 2349 featuring two geisha kouta sung by Yamamura Toyoko, one of the most popular of the early geisha to record. Songs are "Fukagawa Kuzushi" and "Yanagi Bushi." Maybe a reissue. The two purple Nitto are probably from around 1925.

2332 Starkton I think Starkton had a relationship with Lyrophon of Germany. This is probably older, maybe late 1910s. Shakuhachi with singing. Out of focus so I can't read the performer's name.

2997 Tokyo records I can't read much here either, but these are pts 3-4 of a gidayu narration. Probably late 1910s.