Kiroro | fr

Kiroro (キロロ) is a Japanese musical group from Okinawa, Japan that debuted in 1996. The group is composed of the vocalist Tamashiro Chiharu 玉城 千春 and the pianist Kinjou Ayano 金城 綾乃.

Kiroro first debuted in 1996 as an independent band, and later made their major debut in 1998 with the song "Nagai Aida (長い間, Nagai Aida?)". They performed on Kōhaku Uta Gassen in 1998, 1999 and 2001.

In January 2005, vocalist Tamashiro Chiharu announced that she was engaged. On April 17th (which coincided with her birthday), she and her fiancé entered the family registry. In May, pianist Kinjou Ayano announced her pregnancy and marriage. In July Tamashiro Chiharu 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. Kinjou Ayano gave birth to a baby girl in November 2005. Tamashiro Chiharu gave birth to a baby boy in February 2006. In March 2007, Tamashiro Chiharu announced her second pregnancy.

Origin of the Name

When vocalist Tamashiro Chiharu 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 Kinjou 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.

Official Website
http://www.jvc-entertainment.jp/kiroro/top.php .