Miyagi Kenji was a Japanese manzai (comic duo) performer, host, and actor who formed the comic duo "W Kenji" with Azuma Kenji. His real name was Terashima Fumio (寺島文雄). He was born in Okuma, Watari, Miyagi, Japan. In his later years, he was affiliated with Maseki Geinosha talent agency.

At the age of three, Miyagi was adopted by a family in Sugamo, whose house was located next to the Daiei Film Studio. While playing around the studio, he made his debut as a child actor at the age of seven. After working as a contracted actor for Daiei Film, he shifted to light theater and later performed at the Shinjuku Moulin Rouge. He went on to work for about 10 years as the host for singer Kasuga Hachiro. While touring the country with the "Hachiro Kasuga Show," he received a backstage call from Azuma, inviting him to form a duo. In April 1961, they established "W Kenji."

As a senior figure in the manzai community, Miyagi regularly performed at the Asakusa Shochiku Theater and was a regular at the Toho Masters' Club, hosted at the prestigious Hibiya Toho Theater. Though not initially part of any rakugo association, he joined the Rakugo Geijutsu Kyokai later in life.

After Azuma's death, Miyagi shifted his focus to solo storytelling, performing on stage in Asakusa, hosting events, and delivering lectures. He passed away from lung cancer in Tokyo on October 19, 2005, at the age of 81.

(Source: kisskh) Edit Biography