Shigeru Miyamoto
Hired as Nintendo's first staff artist through a family introduction; created Mario and Zelda.
Shigeru Miyamoto was born in 1952 in Sonobe, Kyoto, Japan. Shigeru Miyamoto's background is described as Japanese. Growing up, the family was middle class — rural household outside Kyoto; his father taught English. Hired as Nintendo's first staff artist through a family introduction; created Mario and Zelda.
- Born
- 1952 · Sonobe, Kyoto, Japan
- Roots
- Japanese
- Family
- Middle class
- Rural household outside Kyoto; his father taught English.
- Education
- Kanazawa College of Industrial Arts (industrial design)
- Started with
- A family introduction
- His father arranged an interview with Nintendo president Hiroshi Yamauchi in 1977.
- Affiliations & societies
- None documented.
- Information only — claims like these are often unverifiable and may be wrong.
The pathway
- 1977 · age 24Nintendo's first staff artist
Hired into a playing-card-and-toy company moving into arcade games.
- 1981 · age 28Donkey Kong
Asked to salvage unsold arcade cabinets after a flop; the game rescues Nintendo's US business.
- 1985 · age 32Super Mario Bros.
Defines the side-scrolling platform genre; bundled with the NES worldwide.
- 1986 · age 33The Legend of Zelda
- 2006 · age 53Wii
Leads the motion-control design push that broadens gaming's audience.
- 2019 · age 66Person of Cultural Merit
Among Japan's highest cultural honors.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Shigeru Miyamoto from?
Shigeru Miyamoto was born in 1952 in Sonobe, Kyoto, Japan. Their background is described as Japanese.
When was Shigeru Miyamoto born?
Shigeru Miyamoto was born in 1952, in Sonobe, Kyoto, Japan.
What is Shigeru Miyamoto's background or ethnicity?
Shigeru Miyamoto's roots are described as Japanese. These are broad categories drawn from public sources, not statements about how the person identifies.
Where did Shigeru Miyamoto go to school?
Shigeru Miyamoto's education: Kanazawa College of Industrial Arts (industrial design).
What was Shigeru Miyamoto's family background growing up?
At birth the family was middle class. Rural household outside Kyoto; his father taught English.
How did Shigeru Miyamoto get started?
Shigeru Miyamoto started with a family introduction. His father arranged an interview with Nintendo president Hiroshi Yamauchi in 1977.
Sources
Compiled from these references and contemporaneous press reporting. Figures are approximate; verify before relying on them.