Mariko Miyagi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mariko Miyagi
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| 宮城まり子 | |
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| Born |
Mariko Honme
March 21, 1927 Tokyo, Japan
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| Died | March 21, 2020 (aged 93) |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Occupation | Actress and singer |
Mariko Miyagi (宮城 まり子) (March 21, 1927 – March 21, 2020) was a famous Japanese actress and singer. She was also a very special person who cared deeply about children with disabilities. She even started her own school for them called Nemunoki Gakuen.
Early Life
Mariko Miyagi was born Mariko Honme in Tokyo, Japan. She was the older of two children. When she was in third grade, her family moved to Osaka because of her father's job. After she finished elementary school, her family faced some tough times, including her mother's death. Mariko and her brother then joined a company called Yoshimoto Kogyo and became singers.
Career Highlights
Mariko Miyagi first performed on stage in October 1944. After World War II, she kept performing in theaters. She released her first record in 1950. Her first big hit was "Anta Honto ni Sugoi wa ne." She continued to release popular songs throughout the 1950s. She also appeared many times on the famous Japanese music show, Kohaku Uta Gassen.
A Special School for Children
While getting ready for a movie role, Mariko Miyagi visited a place for children with disabilities. This visit deeply inspired her. In 1968, she started the Nemunoki Gakuen, a school especially for children with disabilities, in Omaezaki, Shizuoka. This was a very important step because, at that time, education for disabled children was not yet required by law.
The school focused a lot on music and art. It later moved to Kakegawa, Shizuoka. Mariko Miyagi also directed and produced a documentary film about the school called "Nemunoki no Uta" (which means "Song of Nemunoki").
In 2012, Mariko Miyagi received a special award called the Order of the Sacred Treasure. This award is given to people who have done great things for Japan.
Mariko Miyagi passed away on March 21, 2020, due to a type of cancer called lymphoma.
Films and Voice Roles
Mariko Miyagi acted in many films and also lent her voice to animated characters. Here are some of the films she was part of:
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Kuronekokan ni Kieta Otoko | Reiko Suzumura | |
| 1956 | Daigaku no kengo keiraku no abarenbo | ||
| 1956 | Gojugô mênme no uwaki | ||
| 1956 | Tenten musume dainibu: Tenten musume ni hana ga saku | ||
| 1956 | Tenten musume daiichibu: Tenten musume ki wa nihon hare | ||
| 1957 | Gokurakuto monogatari | ||
| 1958 | Onboro jinsei | Mariko | |
| 1958 | Tôkyô no kyûjitsu | Singer | |
| 1958 | Yajikata dôchû sugoroku | Omari | |
| 1958 | Panda and the magic serpent | Voice | |
| 1959 | Gurama-to no yuwaku | Ai | |
| 1961 | Ten dark women | Miwako | |
| 1962 | Kigeki: Detatoko shôbu - 'Chinjarara monogatari' yori | Chôko | |
| 1964 | Zoku Haikei Tenno Heika Sama | Keiko | |
| 1964 | Haikei sôri daijin sama | ||
| 1975 | Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid | Fritz | Voice |
| 1975 | Children Drawing Rainbows | Director | |
| 1977 | Barefoot Gen | Kimie Nakaoka | |
| 1978 | Oyayubihime | Bunbu | Voice, (final film role) |
