Japanese 78rpm
records
From the collection of Adam Miller, New Zealand.
This first section is based upon one collection in Wellington in early 2013.
Most are pre-WW2, had their original sleeve, and many also had their
original slip-in.
To begin with, I've just put up a selection of labels rather than both sides of
all the records.
Any information on the date of the records, the artist or tune would be much
appreciated and will be updated here.
Feel free to contact me.
GODO PHONOGRAPH Co
KING RECORD
11091
NIPPONOPHONE
16662
NITTO RECORD
1240
NITTO
5425
6371
ORIENT RECORD
Nipponophone Co Ltd
3618
Orient Factory, Nipponophone Co Ltd
1790
Nipponophone Co Ltd, Made in Japan
4428
Made in Japan
1868
POLYDOR
10121
664
REGAL
66080
TEICHIKU
111
TAIHEI
Made in Japan Taihei Gramophone Co Hanshin Line
4503, 1934
Made in Nippon Taihei Gramophone Co Nishinomiya
4787
Made in Japan Dainippon Gramophone Co Nishinomiya
15267
TOA RECORD
1262
Yamamura Toyoko, "Yakko-san", a Geisha performance.
Recorded in Japan
181
"Seryoku Tomigoro", a Naniwabushi narrative song.
TSURU
2392
VICTOR
50313
RCA Victor
KI-6
A second collection was obtained in March 2015. This time they were all
post-WW2 - between 1946 and 1952.
Most likely brought back to New Zealand by a serviceman previously stationed in
Japan.
A selection showing the label variants present is shown below. Sadly only one still had its original sleeve.
COLUMBIA
Pressed by Nippon Columbia, Kawasaki
A 93, 1946, Ko Biho & the Columbia Orchestra China Night
/ Hill of Pure Heart
Maroon label, later pressing. (see further down for first
pressing example)
A 339, 1948. Shizuko Kasagi - Tokyo Boogie Woogie / My Dear Little Box
Maroon label, later pressing (see further down for first
pressing example)
A 1128, 1951. Nobuo Nishimoto & George Shimabukuro - Japanese Rumba / Grace
Amemiya - The Song of Arirang
JL 7, 1952. Richard Powers - Gomennasai / Grace Amemiya - Song of Korea
L 47, 1952. Jo Stafford - It is no Secret / If
L 50, 1952. Rosemary Clooney - Rose of the Mountain / Come on-a my House
L 64, 1952. Johnnie Ray - Cry / The Little Cloud that Cried
DECCA
Pressed by Teichiku Records.
DE52, 1952. Red Foley & The Nashville Dixielanders - Dixie / Alabama
Jubilee
KING RECORD
Pressed by King Record Co, Tokyo.
Chiemi Eri was only 14 when she recorded a series of covers of popular American
hits for King.
Some are in a mix of English and Japanese.
CL-101, 1951. Chiemi Eri - Com (sic) On-a My House / Tennessee Waltz
The same coupling on a diffreent serial number fixed the spelling error.
C-791, 1951. Chiemi Eri - Come On-a My House / Tennessee Waltz
C-806, 1951. Chiemi Eri - Too Young / Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo
CL-105, 1951. Chiemi Eri - Blue Moon / Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy
CL-107, 1952. Peggy Hayama & The Stardusters - Domino / Kiss of Fire
TEICHIKU
Pressed by Teichiku Records Co, Nara.
C-3119, 1950. Unknown female singer and songs.
VICTOR
Pressed by Victor Co. of Japan, Yokohama.
V40303, ?date. Yoshiko Yamaguchi -
Yeh-Lai-Hsiang / Omoide No Byakuran
A third small collection was obtained in December 2021. Again all were all post-WW2 - between 1946 and 1951.
There were three black label Columbias, all first pressings
as indicated by the symbol to the left of the centre hole.
A
93, 1946, Ko Biho & the Columbia Orchestra China Night / Hill of Pure Heart
A
222, 1947, Ichiro Fujiyama – Beloved / Nagasaki Butterfly
A
339, 1948, Shizuko Kasagi – Tokyo Boogie Woogie / My Dear Little Box. Included lyric slip.
The
Columbias were in original sleeves in green or blue.
The remaining records were all Teichiku.
C 342, 1946, unknown singer – Diana / unknown
C 343, 1946, unknown singer – Red River Valley / unknown
C 492, 1947, Betty Inada – Souix City Sue / Malihini Merry
C 546, 1949, Dick Mine & his Serenaders – Ida, Sweet as
Apple Cider / Goodnight Sweetheart
C 562, 1951, Mine Koichi – Some Sunday Morning / Bengawan
solo
Last updated January 2022.
Thanks to input from Kato-Hopkins (78Online)