Kazuo Funaki in Utsunomiya

Kazuo Funaki is a Japanese singer, born in Aichi Prefecture in 1944, whose repertoire spans kayōkyoku and enka. He made his recording debut in 1963 with “Kōkō San Nensei,” a school-themed song closely associated with his early career; “Gakuen Hiroba” and “Zesshō” are also among his best-known recordings. In 1963, he made the first of several appearances on NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen. He later established a long theatre-concert history at Shinjuku Koma Theater, presenting engagements that paired a stage drama with a program of songs. His anniversary performances have also taken him to Tokyo International Forum, while major Osaka engagements have included Shin-Kabukiza.