15 Facts About Ichimaru

Ichimaru, born Matsue Goto, was a popular Japanese recording artist and geisha.

Ichimaru grew up in Japan with eleven siblings under harsh conditions.

Ichimaru left her family at the age of fourteen or fifteen to work at a geisha house.

Ichimaru spent much of her early years working at a hot springs spa in Asama, located in the Nagano Prefecture as an ordinary geisha.

Ichimaru made great progress but still felt she could get better.

Ichimaru then undertook training with the Grand Head Master Enjudaiyu Kiyomoto V's son, Eijudaiyu.

Ichimaru recorded her first song Chakkiri bushi which became a hit.

Ichimaru followed her debut up with another hit, "Tenryu Kudareba", which saw her become a superstar.

Ichimaru had a brief role in the 1951 film Tokyo File 212.

Ichimaru has appeareded on television until she decided to retire in 1995.

In 1984, Ichimaru founded the Edo Ko-uta Ichiju Society with the hopes of popularizing Edo ko-uta.

Ichimaru had an active role in training students in this style, and continued to teach well into 80s.

Ichimaru was granted the title of Head Master of Nakamura School of Edo Ko-uta in 1960, due to her successful singing career and her support of the style.

Ichimaru died at the age of 90 in 1997, leaving a legacy of traditional folk music for modern day Japanese.

Ichimaru's legacy continues to live on in the form of a generous donation of kimono, obi and memorabilia by Mrs Fumi Suzuki, a friend of Ichimaru, to the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria in Canada and by donations given to the Iida Museum in Nagano.