Michiya Mihashi

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Michiya Mihashi (三橋美智也 Mihashi Michiya, November 10, 1930 - January 8, 1996) was a famous Enka singer in postwar Japan. He was among the leading Enka singers in his time and was known for his high-pitched and elastic singing voice.

The famous singer Takashi Hosokawa was his pupil.

He was born Michiya Kitazawa (北沢美智也 Kitazawa Michiya) in Kamiiso, Hokkaidō.

[edit] Career

Mihasa began his career as a singer of Japanese folk music or min'yō, winning a min'yō competition in his native Hokkaidō at age 11. In 1955 he made his Enka debut with the song Onna sendō uta (おんな船頭唄) and immediately became popular.

In 1960, he sang the theme song for the tokusatsu series Kaiketsu Harimao, which was created by Shotaro Ishinomori.

In the latter half of the 1970s he reinvinted himself, adopting a 'rough' style and hosting a radio program aimed at young men, from whom he acquired the nickname Michie (ミッチー).

In 1983, he set a record by becoming the first Japanese singer in history to sell one hundred million records.

Mihasa passed away in hospital in Osaka the 8th of January 1996 from multiple organ failure. He was 65 years old.