Saburō Kitajima (北島 三郎, Kitajima Saburō, born October 4, 1936) is a well known Japanese enka singer, lyricist and composer. He was born Minoru Ōno (大野 穣), in a little town in Hokkaidō, to a fisherman. He was very poor because of the effects of World War II, and he was forced to work while he studied. When he was about to graduate from high school, he decided to become a singer. His debut single was called "Bungacha-Bushi," which was released in 1962. Read more on Last.fm