Meiko Kaji
Acting
Biography
Masako Ōta, known as Meiko Kaji, is a Japanese actress and enka singer born on 24 March 1947 in Chiyoda, Tokyo Prefecture. After graduating from Yakumo Academy in Meguro in 1965, she made her debut at Nikkatsu Studios under her real name, playing supporting roles in the late 1960s. Her first notable role came in 1969 in *Nihon Zankyoden*. She gained visibility with the 1970-1971 series *Stray Cat Rock* (Noraneko Rokku), playing young rebels in five films. In the 1970s, she excelled in roles as outlaws, notably in the *Joshuu Sasori* (Prisonnière Scorpion) series at Toei, with four films, the first of which was released in 1972. She became an icon with *Lady Snowblood* (1973), which greatly inspired Quentin Tarantino in *Kill Bill*. Her other notable films include *Double Suicide at Sonezaki* (1978). She also sang for her films and released several albums and singles. She has appeared in over 100 films and series since the 1960s.
Born: March 24, 1947
Place of Birth: Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan
Known For
Flickering Flames
In the early hours of April 13th, a five year old hemophiliac child was kidnapped by someone from Tanemura General Hospital in Tokyo, Setagaya. Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department Inspector Kitahara, who received the report, goes quickly to the Tanemura home, along with other police to speak to the family of the child. Then, suddenly, the phone rings. The kidnapper wants money.
Ōedo Sōsamō
Set against the backdrop of the reign of the 11th Tokugawa Shogun, Ienari Tokugawa, this drama is a masterpiece of action period drama that broke the mold of traditional detective stories and attracted a great deal of attention.
Kenkaku Shōbai
Kohei Akiyama, a popular master swordsman, and his son Daijiro live in the town of Edo in good faith. While running a dojo, Daijiro and his father find themselves wrapped up in a series of events with the town's people.
The Killer
A former gang leader and lone wolf who has left the organization works behind the scenes in a new city to take revenge on a giant alliance of organizations. This film is amongst the last "straight" yakuza films made at Nikkatsu before the studio's switch-over to pinku eiga.
SMAP×SMAP
SMAP×SMAP was an ongoing weekly Japanese variety show on Kansai TV and Fuji TV starring the members of SMAP. The show began on April 15, 1996 and it aired from 22:00 to 22:54 every Monday. The show's usual ratings were higher than 20%, which is considered high since most variety shows range from 10-20%. Each episode begins a variety of skits, comedic performances, and/or games. These are followed by Bistro SMAP, in which the SMAP members compete against each other to impress celebrity judges with their gourmet cooking. Last is a musical performance by SMAP which may include celebrity guests, as well.
Romantics Anonymous
A brilliant chocolatier who's afraid of making eye contact meets an heir who can't touch others — but somehow, they're immune to each other.
Onihei Crime Files: The Final Kohen - Unryu Ken
Onihei Hankachō
Hasegawa is a chief police of big heart who leads a band of samurai police and cultivates reformed criminals as informants to solve difficult crimes.
Onihei Crime Files: The Final Zenpen - Gonenme no Kyaku
Onihei Crime Files: Unibrow
Heizo "The Demon" investigates the shop of Toshimaya the swordsmith, where 280 ryo was stolen and twelve people murdered. This particular group of theives are most dangerous because of the willingness to kill for money, but what about this mysterious unibrow, who is he? What is he up to?
Filmography
as Genkai
as Mako
as Hisae Kakei
as Kumiko
as Shoji Atsuko
as Mayumi Sone
as Hisae Kakei
as 宮川香琴
as Ryo Ichijo
as Suga Sasahara
as Yoko Kirishima
as Ishizuka Yoko
as Omasa
as Narration
as Shimako Matsumoto
as Gentarou's mother (voice)
as Bistro Guest
as おまさ
as Umetaro
as Akie Fujisaki
as Akiko
as Misa Fujita
as Chise Fujishima
as Yasuko Uehara
as O-Hatsu
as Natori Fuyuko
as Misugi Rie
as Keiko Matsunaga
as Young Lady
as Eiko Maeda
as Tamaki Kishi
as Fumiko
as Sakei
as Yuki Kashima
as Hijiriko
as Nami Matsushima
as Yuki Kashima
as Katsuko Niki
as Sae
as Nami Matsushima
as Yasuko Uehara
as Nami Matsushima
as Nami Matsushima
as Nami
as Ofumi
as Masae Yoshinaga
as Rika
as Furiko
as Emiko
as Mako
as C-ko
as Aki
as Akemi Tachibana
as Natsuko Inubushi
as Komiyama Maki
as Toshie Takami
as Michiko Fukue
as Eiko Hase
as Saeko
as Keiko Asami
as Hiromi
as Hisako Teramoto
as Osakae
as Yuko Muraki
as Daughter Kimiko
as Hanako
as Yumi