Kominato Miwa

Kominato Miwa (小湊美和) is a Japanese folk singer and a former member of Taiyou to Ciscomoon.
She started her career as a child, performing in folk music festivals. She became a member of the group Taiyou to Ciscomoon in 1998, from which she graduated in 2000. In 2002, she embarked on a short-lived career as a solo singer before creating the duo Priest with her brother in 2003.
Kominato is active in the industry as a chorus singer, as a live performer, she participates in special projects from time to time, and is taking care of her family. She also ran an after school activity where she teached hands-on lessons for elementary and junior high school students to familiarize them with traditional Japanese music and folk songs.Official Site (in Japanese). (It looks like the site was terminated in February 2020, assuming the school closed due to Covid). 
==Biography==
===Early Life===
Kominato Miwa was born into a family who have been singing minyo and folk music for two generations. Kominato, being the third generation, has been performing in Folk Music festivals since she was three years old.
In 1984, she won the Japanese Native Folk Song Conference at age seven. She participated in the same event in 1988 and won again (and again in 1998).
At this time she started her education learning folk songs; training to be a professional singer. After junior high, she didn’t enter a school of a higher grade, but started traveling on the road singing folk songs.
From April 1993 to March 1994, she started singing activities such as the stage of folk songs, including the moderator assistant at "Kubota Folk Song Country Tour" (Tohoku area broadcast).Official site (in Japanese).
In 1995, she won the Nationwide Japanese Native Folk Song Conference, and she had now made a name for herself in this industry. All though singing folk, it was rock and roll that she mostly listened to. This year, she also got married (at the age of 17).
===1997===
In 1997, she participated in the Sharam Q Josei Rock Vocalist Audition on ASAYAN, the same one in which Heike Michiyo and the original five members of Morning Musume were discovered, but she had to bow out to give birth to her second child.
===1998===
On November 22, the talent search show ASAYAN announced their Geinoujin Shin Unit Audition in which they were looking for girls with special talents who have enough experiences. 
On December 20, Kominato appeared in the semi-finals as one of sixteen auditionees. She sang "Atsukunare" by Ohguro Maki acapella and was interviewed face to face by Tsunku. On the same date she was the third to be chosen as the final eight. They appeared in the ASAYAN studio getting interviewed by the hosts before Tsunku split them in two groups (Kominato was in the group called Ciscomoon) and announced they were being sent off to San Francisco for boot camp training sessions including performance, dance, rhythm and rap.
===1999===
On February 7 1999, ASAYAN aired footage from the boot camp training sessions in San Francisco. Inaba received a phone call after four weeks into the boot camp, were she reads the names of three participants Tsunku have chosen as the winners: Inaba (from Ciscomoon), Kominato (from Ciscomoon), and Shinoda (from San Fran). RuRu was later on selected as the fourth and final member of the unit after showing her devotion to music and vocal skills.
On February 21, 1999, the winners appeared on stage in the ASAYAN studio with the hosts. Here, Tsunku pointed out each member's weakness and said they were going to go back to the US for private lessons. He said Kominato needed to practice her dancing skills.
For three weeks, from February to March, ASAYAN covered the members' journeys. They were sent to four different cities, and Kominato was sent to Detroit (famous for Motown).
On April 21, they released their debut single, "Tsuki to Taiyou".
In October, when recording the 6th single "Marui Taiyo -winter ver.-", Kominato was temporarily removed from the group to concentrate on her dance studies, which she was not good at. On the show "Akashiya Santa no Shijou Saidai no Christmas Present", Kominato says she was forced out of the unit and put on a diet.Akashiya Santa no Shijou Saidai no Christmas Present Show (in Japanese). The rumor has it that it was the record label's pre-planned action to let Kominato go. In 2019, Kominato mentioned on twitter that she was temporarily withdrawn form the unit for a period of time.Twitter (In Japanese, retrived 2019.12.22). Kominato returned to the unit on January 3, 2000, and the unit’s name was changed to “T&C Bomber”. They tried to recreate the similar popularity as they used to have, but in reality it was never quite the same.
===2000===
In the spring of 2000, Tsunku decided to shuffle all the artists he managed under Hello! Project. He split all the artist into three groups, and Kominato ended up in Aoiro 7. The whole purpose of the shuffling and three groups was to see which group would sell the most singles. Aoiro 7 released "Aoi Sports Car no Otoko", and ended up in third place with total sales of 385,540 copies.
On August 27, the news of the Taiyou to Ciscomoon's upcoming disbandment in October was announced. The reason was so that each member could focus on solo activities.
On October 9, the group disbanded. Kominato was asked to debut as a solo enka/minyo singer, but she declined.
===2001-2006===
In April 2001, she appeared on NHK’s minyo TV program called Dontokoi Minyo on a monthly basis as a host and reporter. She did this for two years.
Kominato's first solo live performance took place in July 2001 in Mikasa, Hokkaido. It was an outdoor concert.
In April 2002, Kominato released er first single, "Ai no Chikara". The B-side, "Itoshii Hito e", was not planned to be released originally; it was created as a theme song for the movie, "Lady Plastic" in which Kominato had the role as Southern Manager. However, a petition was created by fans and enough signatures were collected. As a result, the song was featured as a B-side for her first single.
In July 2002, she is credited for the festival music used in the song "Shiawase Kyouryuu Ondo" by Odoru 11.
In 2003, after releasing only one single, she left her agency and became an independent artist. Kominato and her brother started a minyo/pop/folk inspired band as a duo, calling themselves Priest. They released their debut album in 2006.
In 2005, Kominato was a guest on a talk show called "Tokita Fujio - Minwa no Sekai" with Fujio Tokita, who is well known for his "Manga Nippon Mukashibanashi" comics. It was a stage where you could sing along, like a reading play.https://twitter.com/Sekitsui_Lod/status/1806764051227451753
===2007-2008===
In 2008, Taiyou to Ciscomoon was resurrected for their 10 year anniversary, releasing the best album Taiyou to Ciscomoon / T&C Bomber Mega Best and holding a reunion concert.
In June 2008, Ito Kanako, a Japanese singer whose songs have appeared in numerous video games and anime, released the single "Tsuisou no Despair".Release info at 5pb.Records (in Japanese). Kominato sings the chorus for the single's A-side.
===2012===
In 2012, Kominato was featured as a singer on the compilaton album Luxendarc Dai Kikou,Release info at Pony Canyon (in Japanese). which is a special project called LinkedHorizon; a music project started by a sound creator called Revo, whose songs are usually linked up to video games. Kominato sings in the tracks "Theme of the Linked Horizon", "Luxendarc Kikou", "Hinatori", and "Kibou e Mukau Tenshikyoku". A concert in November, linked up to the release of this album was also held, featuring songs from the album as well as non-album tracks. It was later released as a two-disc DVD and a single Blu-ray.
===2013===
She was also featured on several of Ishii Tatuya's releases. She sings the chorus for the songs "RAIN SONG" and "Koudo" from his album White Canvas released in 2013.Release info at Ishii Tatuya's Official site (in Japanese). She appears on the album STONE released in 2015,Release info at Ishii Tatuya's Official site (in Japanese). singing the chorus for "Hi -Jump- Shou" Release info at Ishii Tatuya's Official site (in Japanese). and "Otona-tachi no Meiro"; and the album "Ryo" released in 2018. Release info at Ishii Tatuya's Official site (in Japanese).
===2015===
In 2015, she appeared as a guest in Momoiro Clover Z's concert "Momoiro Clover Z Toujinsai 2015 Ecopa Stadium Taikai", singing the song "Chakkiribushi"."舘ひろしは箱推し！ももクロ「桃神祭2015」にファン熱狂" (in Japanese). natalie. 2015-08-02.
This year, she was also appointed as a tourism ambassador in her hometown Sukagawa City in Fukushima Prefecture.
===2016===
In 2016, she participated on the album Mars Red by SUPER SOUND THEATRE. They recorded four songs taken from their performance at the Maihama Amphitheater in September 2015 and released them as an EP. Kominato sang vocals for "Hitei Enbu", "Zangetsu", "Taisho Sakuran", and "Akai Yagi no Uta". (in English). Discogs
===2018===
In 2018, she also participated in Ono Lisa's album Tabi Soshite Furusato,https://dreamusic.co.jp/artist/lisa-ono/29472.htmlMiwa Kominato official site -komix- (in Japanese) (archived) singing in the song "Nangoku Tosa wo Ato ni Shite", which was written and composed by Eisaku Takemasa.
In April, she became a lecturer at Yoyogi Animation Academy, teaching "Tsunku Proffesionalism" (つんく♂プロフェッショナルイズム).
===2019===
On November 9th, Kominato was one of the judges in the Tsunku♂Award (つんく♂アワード), alongside Tsunku, Yamashita Yuji, and Kondo Hisashi.yoani.co.jp. Voice actor Kugisaki Nichika (15) wwas chosen as the winner from 10 finalists from 8 schools using Tsunku's artist development method. As well as a cash prize she can record songs with another judge.
===2020===
On May 5, 2020, Tsunku released the content of his photobook on his official YouTube channel. Kominato is reading the voice of the mother in the book.https://twitter.com/komix215/status/1260538765635776515
On May 27, Kominato and her brother appeared at "Nippon Hasshin Project" (にっぽん発信プロジェクト). In the latter half, they had a live performance of folk songs.Live Pocket Mahoroza Twitter Account
===2021===
On February 27, Kominato appeared at the "2nd Fukushima Sake Support Live" as part of Fukushima Wagakki Band with Ohkawa Yoshiaki, Kominato Akihisa, Endo Genki, and Sato Michiyoshi.https://fukushimashuenlive.com/#performer
In March 2021, Kominato joined Kashiwagi Hinata on her solo live "over the moon" tour as a chorus guest. They did a livestream on March 15th on YT Livestream. They talked a bit about how the collab came to fruition, Miwa's impression of Hinata etc.
In May, Kominato was a judge at the "Ar40 Idol kagayake Project! 2021 Theme Song Kashou Group Kettei-sen!". It aired on the TNX Channel. 
Ar40アイドル輝けプロジェクト！2021 テーマソング歌唱グループ決定戦！NEW
2021年5月29日(土) 12:00〜 TNX Channelにて配信
MC：ポリスじろう（ツインクル）・FUJIKIN
審査員 小湊美和（歌手）/ジョイマン高木晋哉/ことり（構成作家）他
On December 11, you could vote for songs on her instagram account for which Kominato is going to perform on February 10, 2022 at a solo cover live.
In late December, it was announced that Kominato will star as a mother in a movie, supervised by Tsunku, called "Starting Over". https://twitter.com/chako_kanna/status/1474694100494741506
===2022===
On January 1, Kominato announced she was going to hold a birthday live on February 10, 2022.
In late February, Kominato announced a second Kominato live show on April 24.https://twitter.com/komix215/status/1497786961850867712. She started practicing on March 21st .https://twitter.com/komix215/status/1505778302119821312 The name of the show is Anniversary Onna 2022 -Kominato Miwa Solo Debut 20th-. 
In March, Kominato was the back-up singer at Kashiwagi Hinata's concert "Kashiwagi Hinata Seitan Solo Live _-Interlude-".
In October, Kominato's brother's band ALIAKE released their third album "NU Folk", featuring Kominato as one of three lead vocalists on the album (all their previous albums have been instrumentals).Aliake Official Twitter (in Japanese) Kominato was featured as a guest singer for their live ALIAKE ~Sono Juuyon~ on October 9, 2022.
In November, Kominato will tour with Kashiwagi Hinata participating in the chorus alongside Nishiyama Emiko.https://twitter.com/hi_99_na/status/1583075491850113025
===2024===
On March 3, Kominato held a solo live at a venue with a capacity of 28 people.https://twitter.com/komix215/status/1744642208781996144
Kominato updating her twitter profile in 2024, saying she is working freelance giving private folk song lessons/pops singing instruction in Tokyo as well as being the Peony Tourism Ambassador for Sukagawa City in Fukushima.https://twitter.com/komix215 ex:太陽とシスコムーン/T&Cボンバー✱ﾌﾘｰﾗﾝｽ✱福島県須賀川市牡丹観光大使*都内にて【民謡個人レッスン/pops歌唱指導】してます*＊特徴＊超B型。あまのじゃく。八重歯保持。好きなこと以外めんどくさがり。＊苦手な事＊無言。小麦除去。鼻濁音気にしない人。(かﾟきﾟくﾟけﾟこﾟ)
On July 19, Kominato held a solo live called Kominato Miwa St-Room335 vol.2.
On September 16, Kominato held a solo live called Kominato Miwa St-Room335 vol.3.
In October and November 2024, Kominato was a performer at Hideaki Mizuki Production vol.28 20th Anniversary Performance "Nijiiro Shouka" (虹色唱歌).https://www.mizu-pro.com/2024nijiiro.html
==Profile==
==Personal Life==
==Discography==
==Chorus Credits==
;Ito Kanako
*[2008.06.26] Tsuisou no Despair
*[2010.01.27] ChaosAttractor
;KATEI
*[2009.11.18] JOURNEY http://kominato.jugem.jp/?cid=1
;Ishii Tatuya
*[2013] WHITE CANVAS
*[2015] STONE
*[2018] Ryuu 
*[2022] Teramachi Hanafubuki
*[2022] Hizashi no Iro
;Ono Lisa
*[2018] Tabi Soshite Furusato
==Works==
===Video===
*[2003.12.20] Saito Takashi no Tanoshii Nihongo Dai 1-kan "Jugemu Jugemu" (斉藤孝のたのしいにほんご 第1巻「じゅげむじゅげむ」)
*[2003.12.20] Saito Takashi no Tanoshii Nihongo Dai 2-kan ""Kotowaza A I U E O" (斉藤孝のたのしいにほんご第2巻「ことわざあいうえお」)
===TV Programs===
*[2001.04-2003.03] NHK Sougou "Dontokoi Minyo"
*[2001.04-2003.03] NHK Sougou "Studio Park"
*[2005.01.01] Omedetou Minyo Kazoku Dai Shuugou ~Nipponrettou Kita Kara Minami~ (おめでとう民謡家族大集合～日本列島 北から南～)
===Movies===
*Lady Plastic - as Southern Manager
===Commercials===
*"Soukenbicha" Mittsu no Sekai-hen (「爽健美茶」三つの世界編)
===Theater===
*Dai 8-kai Tokita Fujio Minwa no Sekai (第8回 常田富士男 民話の世界)
*Tokita _Fujio Mukashibanashi Katari wa Inori no Kokoro (常田富士男 昔話・語りは祈りの心)
*Dai 9-kai Tokita Fujio Minwa no Sekai (第9回 常田富士男 民話の世界)
===Radio===
*[2007.03.25] RCF Radio Fukushima
*Young Town Doyoubi (MBS Radio)
*Arigatou Hamamura Jun Desu (MBS Radio)
*Tetsurou & Kominato Miwa no Music Magic (FM Yamato)
===Narration / Dubbing===
*Anime "Classicaloid" Episode 14: "Kaisan Kurakura, Debut Suru Kanae" [♪ 14: Musik]
*"Sokenbicha" Three Worlds TVCM
*[2020.05.05] Nee, Mama? Boku no Onegai! (ねぇ、ママ？僕のお願い!) Voice of Mama in the YouTube release)
==Awards==
*[1985] Grand Prize in the tournament "Nihon Kyoudo Minyo Kyoukai Dai 24-kai Shounen Shoujo Minyo Taikai"
*[1989] Grand Prize in the tournament "Nihon Kyoudo Minyo Kyoukai Dai 29-kai Shounen Shoujo Minyo Taikai"
*[1996] Overall winner in the competition "Nihon Kyoudo Minyo Kyoukai Dai 36-kai Minyo Tamibu Zenkoku Taikai"
*Prime Minister Award
*Minister of Education Award
*Minister of Health and Welfare Award
*Minister of Transport Award
*Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award
*Governor of Tokyo Award
*Sankei Shimbun Award
*President's Award
==Trivia==
*Kominato is the third generation of a nationally-renowned minyo folk singing school. She has appeared in NHK's yearly Dontokoi Minyo special both before and after her involvement with Hello! Project.
*As a married mother of two children, she was often referred to as the "true housewife" of Hello! Project. She was the first active member of Hello! Project to be married, and the first to be a mother. This situation would not be repeated again until 2007 with former Morning Musume member Iida Kaori, and in 2009 with former Morning Musume member Tsuji Nozomi.
*Kominato was the youngest member of Taiyou to Ciscomoon, and she disliked being called by her full first name. She liked being called by her last name, such as “Kominato” or “Komi”. 
*When T&C Bomber split up in 2000, she was asked to debut as a solo enka/minyo singer, but declined. She said she wasn't interested in "solo enka" and wanted to play different music.小湊美和 That's true. Because I'm not interested in "solo enka" and wanted to play different music.
==References==
==External Links==
*Official Site "komi'x"
*Official Blog "What's The Purpose?"
*Twitter
*Instagram
*Komi ☆ Wiki
*Kominato Hougaku
*Old Official Site (2000-2002)
es:Kominato Miwa
Category:Aoiro 7
Category:2000 Departures
Category:Taiyou to Ciscomoon
Category:1977 Births
Category:1999 Additions
Category:Members from Fukushima
Category:Blood Type B
Category:February Births
Category:Members born before Hello! Project's formation
Category:Members featured on Utaban
Category:Members who are married
Category:Kominato Miwa
Category:Priest
Category:Soloists
Category:Dragon
Category:Aquarius
Category:Members born in Showa Period