Kiroro

Kiroro キロロ
Origin	Japan
Genres	Japanese pop
Years active	1996–present
Labels	Victor Entertainment
Website	Kiroro.net
Members	Chiharu Tamashiro Ayano Kinjō

Kiroro (キロロ^?) is a Japanese musical duo from Yomitan, Okinawa that debuted in 1996.

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

When vocalist Chiharu Tamashiro 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 Kinjo 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.

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

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