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Shinoyama Akemi (篠山明美) née Uchima (内間), better known as Minami Saori (南沙織) or Cynthia (シンシア), is a former Japanese-Okinawan idol, singer, model, and actress.

She is known for being one of the pioneers of the idol concept in Japanese music culture.

History[]

She debuted in 1971 as a teenage model, and made her singing debut later that same year.

On July 2, 1978 she announced that she would be retiring from entertainment at the end of the year to continue her education. She retired from entertainment on October 7, 1978. In 1979, it was announced that she had married photographer Shinoyama Kishin (篠山紀信), whom she had frequently worked with since her debut after dating for one year. They remained married until Shinoyama's death on January 4, 2024.

However she briefly returned to singing in 1991 for a few sporadic music releases and live performances, and then retired again for good in 1997.

Discography[]

Albums[]

  1. [1971.10.01] 17 Sai (17才)
  2. [1971.12.05] Shiokaze no Melody (潮風のメロディ)
  3. [1972.06.21] Junketsu / Tomodachi (純潔/ともだち)
  4. [1972.09.21] Aishuu no Page (哀愁のページ)
  5. [1972.12.21] Soushun no Harmony (早春のハーモニー)
  6. [1973.05.21] Kizutuku Sedai (傷つく世代)
  7. [1973.09.21] 20 Chi Mae (20才まえ)
  8. [1974.02.21] Hito Kakera no Junjou (ひとかけらの純情)
  9. [1974.07.21] Natsu no Kanjou (夏の感情)
  10. [1974.12.10] 20 Chi (20才)
  11. [1975.06.21] Cynthia Street
  12. [1975.12.05] Hito Koi Shikute (人恋しくて)
  13. [1976.04.21] Sugao no Mama de (素顔のままで)
  14. [1976.09.21] Kanashii Yousei (哀しい妖精)
  15. [1976.12.21] Janis e no Tegami (ジャニスへの手紙)
  16. [1977.04.01] Gogo no Cynthia (午後のシンシア)
  17. [1977.08.21] HELLO! CYNTHIA (ハロー! シンシア)
  18. [1978.06.01] I've been mellow
  19. [1978.10.01] Simplicity (シンプリシティー)
  20. [1992.06.21] MATURITY
  21. [1993.10.01] Art of Loving

Mini Albums[]

  1. [1975.11.21] Cynthia no Christmas - Merry Xmas from Cynthia (シンシアのクリスマス - Merry Xmas from Cynthia)

Live Albums[]

  1. [1974.09.01] CYNTHIA IN CONCERT (シンシア・イン・コンサート)
  2. [1977.12.05] SAORI ON STAGE
  3. [1978.12.05] Sayonara Cynthia (さよならシンシア)

Collaboration Albums[]

  1. [1971.12.01] Akira to Saori (あきらと沙織) (w/ Nishikino Akira)

Best Albums[]

  1. [1972.11.01] Gift Pack Minami Saori -1972 Nen Ban- (ギフトパック 南沙織 -1972年版-)
  2. [1973.11.01] Gift Pack Minami Saori -1973 Nen Ban- (ギフトパック 南沙織 -1973年版-)
  3. [1973.12.05] Bara no Kageri / Hito Kakera no Junjou (バラのかげり/ひとかけらの純情)
  4. [1974.11.01] Minami Saori Hit Zenkyokushuu -1974 Nen Ban- (南沙織ヒット全曲集 -1974年版-)
  5. [1975.02.21] Minami Saori Pop wo Utau (南沙織 ポップスを歌う)
  6. [1975.06.01] Minami Saori Deluxe (南沙織デラックス)
  7. [1975.11.01] Minami Saori Hit Zenkyokushuu -1975 Nen Ban- (南沙織ヒット全曲集 -1975年版-)
  8. [1976.06.01] Best of Best Minami Saori no Subete (Best of Best 南沙織のすべて)
  9. [1976.11.01] Minami Saori Hit Zenkyokushuu -1976 Nen Ban- (南沙織ヒット全曲集 -1976年版-)
  10. [1977.xx.xx] Minami Saori Zenkyokushuu (南沙織全曲集)
  11. [1977.04.01] Minami Saori Best Hits (南沙織 ベスト・ヒット)
  12. [1977.06.01] Cynthia no Harmony (シンシアのハーモニー)
  13. [1977.10.01] Cynthia Love (シンシア・ラブ)
  14. [1977.11.01] Cynthia Memory (シンシア・メモリー)
  15. [1978.xx.xx] Minami Saori Hit Zenkyokushuu (南沙織ヒット全曲集)
  16. [1978.xx.xx] Haru no Yokan -I've been mellow- / Kogarashi no Sei (春の予感 -I've been mellow- / 木枯しの精)
  17. [1978.06.xx] Minami Saori Best Hits (南沙織 ベスト・ヒット)
  18. [1978.06.21] THE BEST / Minami Saori -1978 Nen 6 Gatsu Ban- (THE BEST / 南沙織 -1978年6月版-)
  19. [1978.11.01] THE BEST / Minami Saori -1978 Nen 11 Gatsu Ban- (THE BEST / 南沙織 -1978年11月版-)
  20. [1979.xx.xx] Minami Saori Zenkyokushuu (南沙織全曲集)
  21. [1979.06.21] THE BEST / Minami Saori -1979 Nen 6 Gatsu Ban- (THE BEST / 南沙織 -1979年6月版-)
  22. [1979.11.01] THE BEST / Minami Saori -1979 Nen 11 Gatsu Ban- (THE BEST / 南沙織 -1979年11月版-)
  23. [1980.xx.xx] Minami Saori Zenkyokushuu (南沙織全曲集)
  24. [1980.06.21] THE BEST / Minami Saori -1980 Nen Ban- (THE BEST / 南沙織 -1980年版-)
  25. [1981.xx.xx] THE BEST HITS Minami Saori Zenkyokushuu
  26. [1981.11.01] THE BEST / again Minami Saori (THE BEST / again 南沙織)
  27. [1982.xx.xx] Minami Saori Zenkyokushuu (南沙織全曲集)
  28. [1982.11.01] THE BEST / Minami Saori -1982 Nen Ban- (THE BEST / 南沙織 -1982年版-)
  29. [1983.07.xx] Minami Saori Special (南沙織 スペシャル)
  30. [1983.11.05] Minami Saori no Subete (南沙織のすべて)
  31. [1984.11.01] Minami Saori Best Selection
  32. [1985.11.21] Best Selection Minami Saori
  33. [1985.04.01] Minami Saori Best Collection (南沙織ベスト・コレクション)
  34. [1986.11.01] Minami Saori Best Selection
  35. [1988.07.21] Cynthia Story
  36. [1992.02.21] Minami Saori Best Recall ~28 SINGLES SAORI + 1~ (南沙織ベスト Recall 〜28 SINGLES SAORI + 1〜)
  37. [1996.06.21] Cynthia Best ~ Eternity
  38. [1998.11.21] GOLDEN J-POP / THE BEST Minami Saori (GOLDEN J-POP/THE BEST 南沙織)
  39. [2001.10.11] DREAM PRICE 1000 Minami Saori 17 Sai (DREAM PRICE 1000 南沙織 17才)
  40. [2001.10.11] DREAM PRICE 1000 Minami Saori Irozuku Machi (DREAM PRICE 1000 南沙織 色づく街)
  41. [2002.06.19] GOLDEN☆BEST Minami Saori Tsutsumi Kyohei wo Utau (GOLDEN☆BEST 南沙織 筒美京平を歌う)
  42. [2003.11.19] Minami Saori THE BEST ~ Cynthia-ly (南沙織 THE BEST 〜 Cynthia-ly)
  43. [2006.07.21] Minami Saori Super Best (南沙織 スーパー・ベスト)
  44. [2006.09.21] BEST OF BEST CYNTHIA
  45. [2010.09.08] GOLDEN☆BEST Minami Saori Complete Single Collection (GOLDEN☆BEST 南沙織 コンプリート・シングルコレクション)
  46. [2014.07.30] Golden☆Idol Minami Saori (ゴールデン☆アイドル 南沙織)

HIT PACK SERIES Mini Albums[]

  1. [1976.08.21] 17 Sai / Shiokaze no Melody / Junketsu / Tomodachi (17才/潮風のメロディ/純潔/ともだち)
  2. [1976.08.21] Aishuu no Page / Soushun no Minato / Kizutuku Sedai / Aishuu no Page (哀愁のページ/早春の港/傷つく世代/色づく街)
  3. [1976.08.21] Hito Koi Shikute / Hito Kakera no Junjou / Kiga Mukeba Denwa Shite / Seishun ni Hajinai You ni (人恋しくて/ひとかけらの純情/気がむけば電話して/青春に恥じないように)
  4. [1977.01.21] Janis Ian to Cynthia no Yutakana Meguri Ai (ジャニス・イアンとシンシアのゆたかなめぐり逢い)
  5. [1977.08.21] Machikado no Love Song / Yureru Gogo (街角のラブソング/ゆれる午後)

Singles[]

  1. [1971.06.01] 17 Sai (17才)
  2. [1971.10.01] Shiokaze no Melody (潮風のメロディ)
  3. [1972.02.01] Tomodachi (ともだち)
  4. [1972.06.01] Junketsu (純潔)
  5. [1972.09.21] Aishuu no Page (哀愁のページ)
  6. [1973.01.21] Soushun no Minato (早春の港)
  7. [1973.05.01] Kizutuku Sedai (傷つく世代)
  8. [1973.07.05] California no Aoi Sora (カリフォルニアの青い空)
  9. [1973.08.21] Irozuku Machi (色づく街)
  10. [1973.12.05] Hito Kakera no Junjou (ひとかけらの純情)
  11. [1974.03.21] Bara no Kageri (バラのかげり)
  12. [1974.06.21] Natsu no Kanjou (夏の感情)
  13. [1974.09.21] Yogiri no Machi (夜霧の街)
  14. [1974.12.21] Josei (女性)
  15. [1975.04.21] Omoide Doori (想い出通り)
  16. [1975.08.01] Hito Koi Shikute (人恋しくて)
  17. [1975.11.21] Hito Nemuri (ひとねむり)
  18. [1976.03.01] Kiga Mukeba Denwa Shite (気がむけば電話して)
  19. [1976.05.31] Seishun ni Hajinai You ni (青春に恥じないように)
  20. [1976.09.01] Kanashii Yousei (哀しい妖精)
  21. [1976.11.21] Ai wa Meguri Aikara (愛はめぐり逢いから)
  22. [1977.03.01] Yureru Gogo (ゆれる午後)
  23. [1977.07.21] Machikado no Love Song (街角のラブソング)
  24. [1977.11.21] Kogarashi no Sei (木枯しの精)
  25. [1978.01.21] Haru no Yokan -I've been mellow- (春の予感 -I've been mellow-)
  26. [1978.05.21] Ai Naki Sedai (愛なき世代)
  27. [1978.08.21] Ms.
  28. [1978.10.21] Goodbye Girl (グッバイガール)
  29. [1992.05.21] Aozora (青空)
  30. [1993.03.21] Yakusoku (約束)
  31. [1994.06.22] Yoroshiku Aishuu (よろしく哀愁)
  32. [1996.01.21] Ai wa Ichido Dake Desu ka (愛は一度だけですか)
  33. [1997.04.21] Hatsukoi (初恋)

Clover Series Singles[]

  1. [1972.06.xx] 17 Sai (17才)
  2. [1972.12.05] Junketsu (純潔)
  3. [1973.06.01] Soushun no Minato (早春の港)
  4. [1973.11.21] Irozuku Machi (色づく街)
  5. [1974.05.01] Bara no Kageri / Hito Kakera no Junjou (バラのかげり/ひとかけらの純情)
  6. [1974.11.21] Yogiri no Machi / Natsu no Kanjou (夜霧の街/夏の感情)
  7. [1974.11.21] 17 Sai / Junketsu (17才/純潔)
  8. [1975.05.21] Omoide Doori / Josei (想い出通り/女性)
  9. [1975.05.21] Irozuku Machi / Aishuu no Page (色づく街/哀愁のページ)
  10. [1975.12.21] Hito Nemuri / Hito Koi Shikute (ひとねむり/人恋しくて)
  11. [1976.08.01] Seishun ni Hajinai You ni / Kiga Mukeba Denwa Shite (青春に恥じないように/気がむけば電話して)

Platinum Single Series[]

  1. [1989.03.21] 17 Sai / Junketsu (17才/純潔)
  2. [1989.03.21] Aishuu no Page / Hito Koi Shikute (色づく街/人恋しくて)

Video Releases[]

  1. [1984.11.21] HELLO! CYNTHIA
  2. [1992.11.21] Cynthia Clips

Box Sets[]

  1. [1994.05.01] Cynthia Memories
  2. [2000.06.07] CYNTHIA ANTHOLOGY
  3. [2004.09.01] Minami Saori Donut Ban Gata 12cm CD Collection (南沙織ドーナツ盤型12cmCDコレクション)
  4. [2006.06.14] Cynthia Premium
  5. [2020.07.02] CYNTHIA ALIVE

MEMORIAL HIT BANK Series Box Sets[]

  1. [1983.07.21] MEMORIAL HIT BANK Minami Saori VOL. 1 (MEMORIAL HIT BANK 南沙織 VOL. 1)
  2. [1983.07.21] MEMORIAL HIT BANK Minami Saori VOL. 2
  3. [1983.07.21] MEMORIAL HIT BANK Minami Saori VOL. 3

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

  • Minami, Amachi Mari, and Koyanagi Rumiko debuted around the same time, and were collectively referred to as Shin San Nin Musume (新三人娘; New Three Girls)
  • She's the mother of three sons
  • Her second son Shinoyama Akinobu (篠山輝信) is an actor
  • A lot of information concerning Minami's background was altered or obscured from media at the time of her debut. One of which was her birthplace
    • At her debut it was reported that she was from the Amami Islands of Kagoshima Prefecture, but she was actually born and raised in Okinawa. This was due to political turmoil going on in Okinawa at the time
    • Secondly, they reported that her father was Filipino, claiming she was of a mixed-ethnicity, but this was false information. Her mother remarried a Filipino man who helped raise Minami, but he was not her biological father. She is 100% ethnically Japanese-Okinawan
  • She identifies as a Roman Catholic. Her stage name, Cynthia, is the Christian name given to her, at the time of her baptism into the church

External Links[]

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