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Artist
Yoshiko Yamaguchi
12+ albums
about
🐉 Who Was She? Yoshiko Yamaguchi (1920–2014) Also known as: 李香蘭 (Li Xianglan) – Her Chinese stage name in Manchukuo. Shirley Yamaguchi – Her Hollywood name. Later became a Japanese Diet member and UNESCO ambassador. --- 🌏 Born in China, Raised Between Empires Birthplace: Fushun, Manchuria (northeastern China), which was under Japanese occupation. Born to Japanese parents, she grew up fluent in Japanese, Mandarin, and English. Trained in classical Chinese music and had the voice of a traditional qingyi (refined woman role in Chinese opera). --- 🎤 The Manchurian Siren: 李香蘭 During the 1930s–40s, Japan set up a puppet state called Manchukuo. Yamaguchi was used as propaganda, disguised as a Chinese singer named Li Xianglan, singing beautiful, nationalistic songs to win Chinese hearts. She starred in films promoting friendship between Japanese and Chinese – basically, imperial soft power in a kimono. Most Chinese people thought she was Chinese, until after WWII. --- 🩸 Trial for Treason After Japan’s defeat, she was arrested by Chinese authorities and nearly executed for treason, accused of being a Chinese traitor who supported the Japanese. She had to prove in court that she was Japanese to escape execution. --- 🎬 Reinvention in Postwar Japan and Hollywood Returned to Japan, reclaimed her real name, and started a new acting career. Starred in international films (even with Mifune Toshiro and John Wayne). Moved to Hollywood for a time as Shirley
top songs
albums
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昭和を飾った名歌手たち Vol.12 夜来香/山口淑子
Le miroir
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Vintage Japanese Music, The Modern Enka, Vol.1 (1950-1951)
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Vintage Japanese Music, The Modern Enka, Vol. 1 (1950 -1951)
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群星會 42 李香蘭 (珍藏系列)
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Showa o Kazatta Meikashu tachi Vol.12 -Yeah Lei Shang- Yoshiko Yamaguchi
DRAGONBALL Z unofficial Soundtrack (Arcade)
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Vintage Japanese Music, Postwar Popularity (1945-1950)
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Vintage Japanese Music, The Post War Years
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DRAGONBALL Z 2 - SUPER BATTLE unofficial Soundtrack (Arcade)
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百代百年系列5: 夜來香
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Showa O Kazatta Meikashu Tachi Vol. 12 - Yeah Lei Shang - Yoshiko Yamaguchi