Emiko Kaminuma (上沼 恵美子, Kaminuma Emiko, born 13 April 1955, in Fukura (now Minamiawaji), Mihara District, Hyōgo)[1] is a Japanese comedian, singer, television presenter, YouTuber, and radio personality. Her maiden name is Hashimoto (橋本). Kaminuma is one of the leading broadcast personalities in the Kansai region. She has often appeared in Kansai local programs, and has garnered high ratings since the late 1990s.

Emiko Kaminuma
上沼 恵美子
Born (1955-04-13) 13 April 1955 (age 69)
NationalityJapanese
Other namesEmiko Hashimoto 橋本恵美子 (birth name); Senri Unabara 海原千里 (former stage name, 1971-77)
Years active
  • 1971–77
  • 1978–
AgentKaminuma Jimusho
TelevisionKaiketsu Emi-channeru
Spouse
Shinpei Kaminuma
(m. 1977)
RelativesSister: Momoko Ashikawa (née Hashimoto), also known as Mari Unabara (former stage name)

She is married with two children. Kaminuma's husband is Shinpei Kaminuma, a Kansai Telecasting Corporation (KTV) television director, producer, executive director, and production director, as well as Media Pulpo (KTV's subsidiary) representative director and chairman. Kaminuma is represented by her agency, Kaminuma Jimusho. She dropped out of Empire Girls High School Owada School (now Osaka International Waseda High School).

Early Career as Senri Unabara

edit

Kaminuma, then Emiko Hashimoto, debuted with her sister Momoko in 1971 as the manzai duo Unabara Senri・Mari. As disciples of the popular manzai duo Unabara Ohama Kohama, Emiko was named Senri Unabara and the boke of the duo, while her sister Momoko was given the name Mari Unabara and had the role of tsukkomi. The duo made many appearances on television, with regular appearances on Star Manzai Championship (スター漫才選手権, MBS).

Kaminuma Emiko Channel
YouTube information
Channel
Presented byEmiko Kaminuma
LocationOsaka, Japan
Years active2021–present
Subscribers477,000[2]
(April 25, 2024)
Total views54,483,476[2]
(April 25, 2024)

The duo also had a successful music career. In 1973, they released their debut single Osananajimi de Onaidoshi (幼なじみでおないどし) under Teichiku Records, written by the poet Yoko Shimada. However, after a move to Victor in 1976, the duo released the single Osaka Rhapsody (大阪ラプソディー), ranking #24 on the Oricon Singles Chart.

In May 1977, Senri/Emiko announced she was marrying Shinpei Kaminuma and retiring from show business, effectively ending the duo with her sister.

However, in 1978, after the birth of her first son, she re-entered show business under her married name: Emiko Kaminuma.

Current appearances

edit

From the end of September 2013 Kaminuma made regular appearances in her own television programs.

Title Network
Kaminuma-Takada no Kugizuke! YTV, CTV
Emiko Kaminuma no kokoro Seiten ABC Radio

Former appearances

edit
Year Title Network Notes
Shabon-dama Present ABC Chisato Kaibara era
Hana no Shinkon! Computer Sakusen KTV
Ayu no uta NHK Osaka Chisato Kaibara era
Non-Stop Game KTV
Shingo no Wagamama Ōhyakka MBS, TBS
Hotline 110-ban TV Asahi
  P.S. Aishi teru! CTV
Kōhaku Uta Gassen NHK Red team presenter (45th and 46th)
Itsu demo Emi o! KTV, Fuji TV
Takajin Mune-ippai KTV
Emiko Kaminuma wa Mita! Nichijō Wide Gekijō TBS
Shokutaku no Dai Bōken ABC
Oba-chan 1000 Man-en!! TBS
Star Manzai Senshuken MBS Chisato Kaibara era
M-1 Grand Prix ABC, TV Asahi Jurist; Asked by Shinsuke Shimada and did not refuse
Konya wa Emyi Go!! MBS, CBC
Chiritotechin NHK Osaka Narration
Waga Kokoro no Osaka Melody [a]
Emiko Kaminuma no oshaberi Cooking ABC
Kaiketsu Emi-channeru Hoka KTV

Radio

edit
Title Network
Kayōkyoku buttsuke Honban ABC Radio
Emiko Kaminuma no Nippon Hōsō Hatsu Jōriku! 2005-Nen Iitaihōdai NBS

Advertisements

edit
Year Title
1986 Lion Corporation Pikokan
1988 Morishige Doll
1989 Butsudan Butsugu no Senoku
1990 Asahi Shimbun
1997 Japan Advertising Review Organization
1998 Kobayashi Pharmaceutical

Films

edit
Year Title Role
1976 Track Yarō-Bōkyō Ichibanhoshi Drive-in landlady

Discography

edit
Year Title
1995 "Osaka hitori"
1998 "Haru Natsu Aki Fuyu"
2002 "Egao o Sakasemashou"
2004 "Cosmos Yurete"
2005 "Awamori Shinjū / Osaka Rhapsody"
2015 "Akantare"

Bibliography

edit
Year Title Notes
2011 Inumokuwanai: Kaminuma-san Chino Fūfu-genka Jiken-bo Co-written with Shinpei Kaminuma

References

edit
  1. ^ "上沼恵美子". Nihon Tarento Meikan (in Japanese). Yahoo! Japan. Retrieved 4 Dec 2016.
  2. ^ a b "About YouTube channel". YouTube.

Notes

edit
  1. ^ Kaminuma appeared as both a singer and presenter until she was knocked out in 2013, she later appeared in 2015 as a full-time singer.