Kiroro

is a Japanese pop duo from Yomitan, Okinawa that debuted in 1996.

History

Kiroro debuted in 1996 as an independent band, and later made their major debut in 1998 with the song "". They performed on ''Kōhaku Uta Gassen'' in 1998, 1999 and 2001.

Etymology

When vocalist Chiharu Tamashiro was in her primary school days, she visited Ikedamachi, Hokkaido, for a regional exchange program. The Ainu language made a deep impression on her. With the Ainu words 'Kiroru' and 'Kiroro-an', Tamashiro and Kinjo decided on the name "Kiroro" for the group; "Kiroru" meaning a wide walking path and "Kiroro-an" meaning "resilient" and "healthy."

The name "Kiroro," however, was already registered in 1981 to the Yamaha Organization in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka, for the Kiroro Resort in Akaigawa Village, Hokkaido. Victor Entertainment made agreements with the Yamaha organization for use of the name.

Members

* (born in Okinawa, Japan) - chorus and vocals
* (born in Okinawa, Japan) - keyboard

Discography

Albums

# - October 1, 1998
## ''Nagai Aida''
##
## ''Mirai e''
##
##
##
##
##
##
##
# - September 22, 1999 (Ayano Kinjo's solo album)
# - December 8, 1999
# - September 26, 2000 (Concept Album)
# ''TREE OF LIFE'' - January 13, 2001 (Taiwan), January 24, 2001 (Japan) (It is the first time (and only time, up to the album ''Wonderful Days'') that the date of release in Taiwan is earlier than Japan.)
# - February 21, 2002 (Best Album)
# ''Four Leaves Clover'' - December 18, 2002
# ''Diary'' - March 3, 2004
# - January 21, 2005 (Okinawa limited edition), June 23, 2005 (National edition) (Mini album) (Dedicated to their homeland, Okinawa. The 'national level' edition also contains an introductory flash clip that describes the places of interest in Okinawa.
# ''Wonderful Days'' - November 23, 2005
# - March 29, 2006 (Best album by fan votes)
# - March 7, 2007 (Played by Ayano, a lullaby album for babies)
# - March 7, 2007 (A collector's edition)
# - March 29, 2016 (Concept Best Album)
# - January 24, 2018

Singles

# - January 21, 1998
## ''Nagai Aida''
##
## ''Nagai Aida (Original Karaoke)''
## ''Sannin no Shashin (Original Karaoke)''
# - June 24, 1998
## ''Mirai e''
##
## ''Mirai e (Original Karaoke)''
## ''Tenki ga Ii Asa (Original Karaoke)''
# - November 21, 1998
## ''Fuyu no Uta''
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## ''Fuyu no Uta (Original Karaoke)''
## ''Kiseki (Original Karaoke)''
# - February 24, 1999
## ''Ao no Jumon''
##
## ''Ao no Jumon (Original Karaoke)''
## ''Haru no Kaze (Original Karaoke)''
# - June 23, 1999
## ''Saigo no Kiss''
##
## ''Saigo no Kiss (Original Karaoke)''
## ''Chokin (Original Karaoke)''
# - November 10, 1999
## ''Suki na Hito''
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## ''Suki na Hito (Original Karaoke)''
## ''Chance (Original Karaoke)''
# - March 23, 2000
## ''Himawari''
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## ''Himawari (Original Karaoke)''
## ''Nawatobi (Original Karaoke)''
# - July 26, 2000
## ''Namida ni Sayonara''
## ''Blue Sky''
## ''Namida ni Sayonara (Original Karaoke)''
## ''Blue Sky (Original Karaoke)''
# - December 6, 2000
## ''Aitai''
##
## ''Aitai (Backing Track)''
## ''Yoru o Miagete (Backing Track)''
# ''Best Friend'' - June 6, 2001
## ''Best Friend''
## ''again''
## ''Best Friend (Backing Track)''
## ''again (Backing Track)''
# - August 21, 2002
## ''Aisanai''
##
##
# - December 4, 2002
## ''Hitotsubu no Namida''
##
# - November 21, 2003
## ''Bokura no Messēji''
##
##
# - January 21, 2004
## ''Mou Sukoshi''
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# - July 6, 2005 ( Mushiking anime opening theme song)
## ''Ikitekoso''
##
##
# - October 21, 2005 (with special edition)
## ''Wasurenai de ~Live at Okinawa '05~''
## ''Beginning''
# - December 3, 2008
# - March 4, 2009 (Anime movie Chō Gekijōban Keroro Gunsō: Gekishin Dragon Warriors theme song)

* Note: All singles from ''Nagai Aida'' up to ''Suki na Hito'' were released again on February 21, 2002.

Personal life

In January 2005, vocalist Chiharu Tamashiro announced that she was engaged. On April 17 (which coincided with her birthday), she and her fiancé entered the family registry. In May, pianist Ayano Kinjo announced her pregnancy and marriage. In July, Tamashiro announced her pregnancy. In September 2005, they held their "four person concert" in Okinawa with the finale, Wasurenaide ("Don't Forget") before their maternal leave. Kinjo gave birth to a daughter in November 2005. Tamashiro gave birth to a son in February 2006. In March 2007, Tamashiro announced her second pregnancy, and in September 2007, she gave birth to a daughter. In August 2008, Kinjo announced her second pregnancy, and she gave birth to a son in March 2009. Also in March 2009, Tamashiro announced her third pregnancy, and she gave birth to another daughter in September 2009. In October 2010, Kinjo announced her third pregnancy, and she gave birth to another son in March 2011. In April 2013, Kinjo divorced her husband.

References

* The Libertytimes Web
* http://ent.sina.com.cn/2003年04月10日12:23 南方都市报
* https://web.archive.org/web/20070818095341/http://www.okinawatimes.co.jp/eng/19980919.html The Okinawa Times. September 9, 1998.
* http://tw2.yahoo.com/profile/285

External links

Official website
(multi language)

{{Authority control
Japanese pop music groups
Musical groups from Okinawa Prefecture