Shiro Miya

2.1. Birth and Early Life

Shirō Miya was born Miyazaki Yoshirō (宮崎芳郎_{Miyazaki Yoshirō}^Japanese) on January 17, 1943, in Hirohara-cho, Kasai, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. His blood type was A. In 1959, he began his career working in a cabaret in Himeji, where he independently produced and released his first song, "Otoko no Hanami" (男の花道_{Otoko no Hanami}^Japanese, "Man's Flower Path").

2.2. Career Beginnings

In 1961, Miya relocated his activities to Osaka and formed a musical comedy group called Suparō Boys (スパローボーイズ_{Suparō Bōizu}^Japanese, "Sparrow Boys"), a popular entertainment format at the time where members performed with musical instruments, often incorporating parodies of popular songs. Two years later, in 1963, he co-founded another musical comedy group, Pinkara Trio (ぴんからトリオ_{Pinkara Torio}^Japanese), with his elder brother, Gorō Miya (宮五郎_{Miya Gorō}^Japanese), and Hiroshi Namiki (並木ひろし_{Namiki Hiroshi}^Japanese). The group's name, derived from the Japanese phrase "ピンからトリを_{Pin kara tori wo}^Japanese", symbolized their ambition to rise from being the "first performer" (pin, a term for a rookie or opening act, from Portuguese 'pinta' meaning 'one') to the "last performer" (tori, the headliner).

2.3. Pinkara Trio and Pinkara Kyōdai

2.4. Solo Career

After the dissolution of Pinkara Kyōdai in 1983, Shirō Miya embarked on a solo career. His solo efforts quickly found success, with the song "Katakoizake" (片恋酒_Katakoizake^Japanese, "Unrequited Love Sake") becoming a major hit in 1984. Miya remained a popular and active artist, frequently appearing on various enka and nostalgic music television programs and undertaking numerous local tours. On March 18, 2009, he released the single "Onna no Michi: Part 2" (女のみちパート２_{Onna no Michi Pāto Tsū}^Japanese), which peaked at No. 106 on the Oricon charts and remained charted for two weeks.

3.1. Representative Songs

Shirō Miya's career is defined by several highly successful and influential songs:

• From Pinkara Trio:**
  • "Onna no Michi" (女のみち_{Onna no Michi}^Japanese, May 10, 1972)
  • "Onna no Negai" (女のねがい_{Onna no Negai}^Japanese, December 25, 1972)
  • "Onna no Yume" (女のゆめ_{Onna no Yume}^Japanese, May 25, 1973)
• From Pinkara Kyōdai:**
  • "Onna no Kizu" (女のきず_{Onna no Kizu}^Japanese, August 10, 1973)
  • "Hitorizake" (ひとり酒_Hitorizake^Japanese, December 10, 1973)
  • "Yume wo Daku Onna" (夢を抱く女_{Yume wo Daku Onna}^Japanese, May 1, 1974)
  • "Anata ga Hoshii" (あなたが欲しい_{Anata ga Hoshii}^Japanese, September 1, 1974)
  • "Onna no Chikai" (女のちかい_{Onna no Chikai}^Japanese, January 1, 1975)
  • "Omae" (おまえ_Omae^Japanese, June 1, 1975)
  • "Kuyashi Namida mo Deyashinai" (くやし涙もでやしない_{Kuyashi Namida mo Deyashinai}^Japanese, December 1975)
  • "Anata no Subete" (あなたのすべて_{Anata no Subete}^Japanese, September 1, 1980)
  • Note: For songs where Gorō Miya served as the lead vocalist, typically on B-sides, the credit was given under the name "Gorō Miya and His Group" (宮五郎とその一味_{Miya Gorō to Sono Ichimi}^Japanese).
• From Solo Career:**
  • "Katakoizake" (片恋酒_Katakoizake^Japanese, 1984)

3.2. Discography

Shirō Miya released numerous singles throughout his solo career, all under Nippon Columbia.

4.1. Film Appearances

Shirō Miya appeared in several films throughout his career:

• Yoru no Kayō Series Onna no Michi (夜の歌謡シリーズ 女のみち_{Yoru no Kayō Shirīzu Onna no Michi}^Japanese, 1973, Toei) - He appeared as part of the Pinkara Trio.
• Kayōkyoku dayo, Jinsei wa (歌謡曲だよ、人生は_{Kayōkyoku dayo, Jinsei wa}^Japanese, "It's Kayōkyoku, Life Is...", 2007, Xanadeux) - Miya appeared in the fifth story, titled "Onna no Michi," playing the role of Miyata Jirō and performing his hit song.

4.2. Commercial Appearances

Shirō Miya was featured in various television commercials:

• IIJ "IIJ4U" (April 2, 2000) - Appeared in the "Men breaking through walls" segment.
• Pip "Skin Locker 8" (August 21, 2000) - Featured in the "Palmistry: Terrible, too terrible, it's too late after skin roughness" segment.
• Japan Kentucky Fried Chicken "Chicken Sauce is Side" (September 28, 2000) - Appeared in the "Do you like me, Worcestershire flavor" segment.
• Staff Service "Company" (February 17, 2001) - Featured in the "Mispronouncing names, Director Miya playing and singing" segment.
• Dainihon Jochugiku (Kinchō):
  • "Mushi-yoke Green" (April 1, 2004) - He appeared dressed as an insect, singing "Mushi Gokoro" (虫ごころ_{Mushi Gokoro}^Japanese, "Insect Heart").
  • "Odekake Catoris" (June 16, 2005) - He sang "Odekake Bojō" (おでかけ慕情_{Odekake Bojō}^Japanese, "Going Out Affection").
• SoftBank Mobile (October 12, 2010) - A three-part series titled "Nagashi no Ayu," "Namida Ame," and "Shizuka na Yoru da," where he co-starred with Ayumi Hamasaki and Yuzuki Muroi as a street musician.

6.1. Death

Shirō Miya died on November 19, 2012, at the age of 69. The cause of his death was multiple organ failure.

6.2. Posthumous Recognition

Following his death, Shirō Miya was posthumously honored for his lifelong contributions to music. He received the Special Achievement Award at the 54th Japan Record Awards.