三浦洸一

Koichi Miura (born January 1, 1928 - January 11, 2025) was a Japanese singer. His real name was Toshiyasu Kuwata. Born in Miura City, Kanagawa Prefecture. His signature songs are based on literary themes. Many of the songs he has sung are what are known as "literary ballads." He is characterized by his earnest and sincere singing style, and has recorded numerous commissioned works, including company anthems and folk songs produced by local governments. He was born as the third son and fourth child (the youngest of four brothers) of Saifuku-ji Temple, a Jodo Shinshu Honganji sect temple in the Misaki district of Miura City, Kanagawa Prefecture. His eldest brother enlisted in the army and died in battle in Burma, so his second eldest brother succeeded him as head priest. His second eldest brother also died in 1993, and currently his nephew (his second eldest brother's eldest son) serves as the head priest. From a young age, he learned to chant sutras under his strict grandfather. He graduated from the current Miura Municipal Misaki Elementary School and Yokosuka Municipal Commercial School. After graduating from Yokosuka Commercial School, he joined the Army Reserve. At the same time, he joined the Kanagawa Prefectural Government. He entered the vocal music department of the Toyo Music School (now Tokyo College of Music), where Tetsuko Kuroyanagi was a junior. After graduating, he joined Victor Records in Japan in 1952. He studied under composer Tadashi Yoshida. At university, he studied classical vocal music. His stage name was chosen in honor of his hometown, Miura City, Kanagawa Prefecture. In May 1953, he debuted with "Sasurai no Koiuta" (Wandering Love Song), and in September of the same year, his song "Ochiba Shigure" (Falling Leaves Shower) became a huge hit, bringing him instant fame. On December 31, 1955, he made his first appearance on the 6th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen (NHK Red and White Song Contest). He has appeared on Kohaku Uta Gassen a total of eight times. From October 1983 to September 1984, he was also a regular cast member on "Morita Kazuyoshi Hour - Waratte Iitomo!" (Fuji TV). In 2000, he received the Japan Record Award for Lifetime Achievement. On June 10, 2008, he made a live appearance on "NHK Kayō Concert." On March 10, 2010, the "Yoshida Masashi Music Hall - Kou Miura Mini Concert" was held. On August 21, 2010, he appeared on "The 42nd Annual Memories of Melodies" (recorded on August 7, 2010, on NHK General TV). The host, actress Nao Matsushita, is a junior of his from Tokyo College of Music. On October 27, 2010, he performed at the "37th Japan Singers Association Song Festival" held at Yūpōto. On April 5, 2011, they performed at the "East Japan Earthquake Disaster Relief Charity Live VOL1" held at the Koga Masao Music Museum Keyaki Hall in Yoyogi-Uehara, Tokyo. On July 13, 2012, he performed at the special performance dedicated by volunteers from the Japan Singers Association at the eve of the 66th Mitama Matsuri held at Yasukuni Shrine. He has also won the Japan Enka Grand Prize. Furthermore, he served as an auditor for the Japan Singers Association until 2007. He died of old age on January 11, 2025, at a hospital in Tokyo. He was 97 years old. In 2025, he received the Japan Record Award for Special Achievement. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.