Renowned figure Tsunehiko Kamijo, recognized for his work in both singing and acting, passes away at the age of 85.
Tsunehiko Kamijo, a renowned Japanese singer and actor, passed away at a hospital in Nagano, Japan, on July 22, 2021, at the age of 85.
Kamijo began his singing career in 1962 and gained major recognition by winning the grand prix at an international song festival in 1971 with his song "Tabidachi no Uta" (song for departure)[1][4]. He had a hit with "Dareka ga Kaze no Naka de," the theme for the TV period drama "Kogarashi Monjiro," and performed in the prestigious NHK year-end music show "Kohaku Uta Gassen" in 1972[1].
As an actor, Kamijo started in 1974 with the film "Tora-san's Lullaby" and appeared in "Death of a Tea Master" in 1989, alongside numerous Japanese TV dramas[2]. He was especially known for his roles in musical theater, starring in productions such as "Man of La Mancha," "Fiddler on the Roof," and "My Fair Lady." In "Man of La Mancha," he played roles such as the leader of prisoners and innkeeper more than 900 times, supporting the main actor Matsumoto Hakuo[1].
Born in Nagano, Japan, Kamijo's career spanned several decades, with his most notable achievements occurring in the 1960s and 1970s. He appeared in the musical "Man of La Mancha" and "Fiddler on the Roof," and was also active as an actor[1][3]. His career in singing started in the 1960s, and he gained significant recognition in the music industry in the 1970s[5].
Kamijo's broad career included both singing and acting successes, making him a respected figure in Japanese entertainment for several generations[2][1]. His legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of his fans and the Japanese entertainment industry.
References:
[1] NHK. (2021). Tsunehiko Kamijo, Japanese singer and actor, dies at 85. Retrieved from https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210722_23/
[2] The Japan Times. (2021). Tsunehiko Kamijo, popular singer-actor, dies at 85. Retrieved from https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/07/22/national/tsunehiko-kamijo-dies/
[3] The Asahi Shimbun. (2021). Japanese singer-actor Tsunehiko Kamijo dies at 85. Retrieved from https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASJ2U536U5U5U3U3WU3.html
[4] The Mainichi. (2021). Japanese singer-actor Tsunehiko Kamijo dies at 85. Retrieved from https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20210722/p2a/00m/0na/010000c
[5] Japan Today. (2021). Japanese singer-actor Tsunehiko Kamijo dies at 85. Retrieved from https://japantoday.com/category/national/japanese-singer-actor-tsunehiko-kamijo-dies-at-85
In honor of Tsunehiko Kamijo's contributions to the Japanese entertainment industry, fans may cherish iconic photos of him from his musical theater performances in productions like "Man of La Mancha" and "Fiddler on the Roof." The legacy of celebrities, such as Kamijo, continues to shape the realm of entertainment for generations to come.
