Michiya Mihashi

Michiya Mihashi (三橋美智也 Mihashi Michiya, November 10, 1930 – January 8, 1996), born Michiya Kitazawa (北沢 美智也 Kitazawa Michiya) in Kamiiso, Hokkaidō, was a famous singer in postwar Japan. Along with Hachiro Kasuga and Hideo Murata, he was regarded as one of the most notable singers to have established the genre enka. Mihashi was among the leading Enka singers in his time and was known for his high-pitched and elastic singing voice.

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 1954, he made his record debut with the song "Sake no Nigasayo" (酒の苦さよ). His 1955 song "Onna Sendō Uta" (おんな船頭唄) became a hit song. 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 reinvented 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 died in hospital in Osaka on January 8, 1996 from multiple organ failure at the age of 65.