Miyakoya Utaroku VIII, born Mano Yoshio in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan, was a rakugo performer and musical saw player. He served as the president of the Japanese Musical Saw Association and was a member of the Muroge Kondan Society. He had also been affiliated with the Hub Mercy group. He graduated from the former Nagoya Junior High School.

Initially training under Katsura Mikisuke III, Utaroku reached the rank of "Futatsume" (second-level performer) before transitioning to the tutelage of Sanyutei Enyu IV. In 1969, he was promoted to "Shinuchi" (full-fledged performer) and adopted the stage name Miyakoya Utaroku VIII. Around this time, he began incorporating musical saw performances into his act, later making it his primary focus by 1982.

Utaroku retired from performing around 2011 due to age, resigned from the Rakugo Arts Association in September 2015, and passed away on March 31, 2018.

(Source: kisskh) Edit Biography