Setsuko Hara (原 節子, Hara Setsuko; born Masae Aida (会田 昌江); 17 June 1920 – 5 September 2015) was a Japanese actress. She…Setsuko Hara (原 節子, Hara Setsuko; born Masae Aida (会田 昌江); 17 June 1920 – 5 September 2015) was a Japanese actress. She is best known for her performances in Yasujirō Ozu's films Late Spring (1949), Tokyo Story (1953) and Tokyo Twilight (1957), amongst many others, and for working extensively with director Mikio Naruse. She is widely considered to be one of the greatest Japanese film actresses of all time.
Mitsuko Mori (森 光子, Mori Mitsuko; May 9, 1920 – November 10, 2012), real name Mitsu Murakami (村上美津, Murakami Mitsu)…Mitsuko Mori (森 光子, Mori Mitsuko; May 9, 1920 – November 10, 2012), real name Mitsu Murakami (村上美津, Murakami Mitsu), was a Japanese actress.
Mitsuko Mito (水戸光子, Mito Mitsuko; 23 March 1919 – 5 April 1981) was a Japanese actress. She appeared in more than 150…Mitsuko Mito (水戸光子, Mito Mitsuko; 23 March 1919 – 5 April 1981) was a Japanese actress. She appeared in more than 150 films between 1935 and 1973 under the direction of filmmakers like Kenji Mizoguchi, Yasujirō Ozu and Kaneto Shindō.
Sanae Takasugi (高杉 早苗, Takasugi Sanae; 8 October 1918 – 26 November 1995) was a Japanese film and television actress.…Sanae Takasugi (高杉 早苗, Takasugi Sanae; 8 October 1918 – 26 November 1995) was a Japanese film and television actress. She starred in over 80 films, directed by notable filmmakers like Kenji Mizoguchi, Yasujirō Ozu, Mikio Naruse, and Keisuke Kinoshita.
Michiyo Kogure (木暮実千代, Kogure Michiyo) (31 January 1918 – 13 June 1990) was a Japanese film actress. She appeared in…Michiyo Kogure (木暮実千代, Kogure Michiyo) (31 January 1918 – 13 June 1990) was a Japanese film actress. She appeared in nearly 200 films in a career which spanned 45 years, starring in works by Akira Kurosawa, Kenji Mizoguchi, Yasujirō Ozu, Mikio Naruse, and others. Film historian Donald Richie once called her "[o]ne of Japan's most versatile actresses, and perhaps the most intellectual of all in her approach to acting."
Yukiko Todoroki (轟 夕起子 Todoroki Yukiko; September 11, 1917 – May 11, 1967) was a Japanese actress. Her real name was…Yukiko Todoroki (轟 夕起子 Todoroki Yukiko; September 11, 1917 – May 11, 1967) was a Japanese actress. Her real name was Tsuruko Nishiyama. She participated in the Takarazuka Revue. At Takarazuka, she was known not by her real name, but by the stage name Toruko (Turquoise or Turk). Her birthplace was Shinbori, Azabu-ku in Tokyo. Her two ex-husbands were film directors Masahiro Makino and Koji Shima. Her son is Masayuki Makino, the principal of Okinawa Actors School. Anna Makino, a former member of idol group Super Monkey's, is her granddaughter.
Misao Yokota (横田 みさを, Yokota Misao; born 3 February 1917, date of death unknown) was a Japanese swimmer who competed at…Misao Yokota (横田 みさを, Yokota Misao; born 3 February 1917, date of death unknown) was a Japanese swimmer who competed at the 1932 Summer Olympics. She finished fifth in the 4×100 metre freestyle relay and was eliminated in the first round of the 100 m backstroke event.
Yūko Mochizuki (望月優子, Mochizuki Yūko; 28 January 1917 – 1 December 1977), also billed as Mieko Mochizuki, was a…Yūko Mochizuki (望月優子, Mochizuki Yūko; 28 January 1917 – 1 December 1977), also billed as Mieko Mochizuki, was a Japanese stage and film actress who appeared in films of directors such as Keisuke Kinoshita, Mikio Naruse and Tadashi Imai.
Mitsuko Miura (三浦光子, Miura Mitsuko; 17 January 1917 – 14 June 1969) was a Japanese actress active from 1938 to 1964.…Mitsuko Miura (三浦光子, Miura Mitsuko; 17 January 1917 – 14 June 1969) was a Japanese actress active from 1938 to 1964. She appeared in over 150 films under the direction of filmmakers like Mikio Naruse, Kenji Mizoguchi and Hiroshi Shimizu.
Kuniko Miyake (三宅 邦子, Miyake Kuniko; 17 September 1916 – 4 November 1992) was a Japanese actress. She appeared in…Kuniko Miyake (三宅 邦子, Miyake Kuniko; 17 September 1916 – 4 November 1992) was a Japanese actress. She appeared in nearly 200 films between 1934 and 1991.
Nobuko Fushimi (伏見 信子, Fushimi Nobuko, born October 10, 1915) is a Japanese actress and singer who was active in the…Nobuko Fushimi (伏見 信子, Fushimi Nobuko, born October 10, 1915) is a Japanese actress and singer who was active in the 1930s. She was also known by her alias Nobue Fushimi (伏見 延江).
Noriko Honma (本間文子 Honma Noriko) (29 November 1911 – 12 April 2009) was a Japanese actress whose film work occurred…Noriko Honma (本間文子 Honma Noriko) (29 November 1911 – 12 April 2009) was a Japanese actress whose film work occurred primarily during the 1950s. She was born in Hokkaido. She worked in many of Akira Kurosawa's films, first appearing in Kurosawa's Stray Dog, then in Rashomon as the Miko, also in Ikiru, The Seven Samurai, Akahige, and Dreams. Noriko died in April 2009 at the age of 97.
Tanie Kitabayashi (北林谷栄, Kitabayashi Tanie; May 21, 1911 – April 27, 2010) was a Japanese actress and voice actress.…Tanie Kitabayashi (北林谷栄, Kitabayashi Tanie; May 21, 1911 – April 27, 2010) was a Japanese actress and voice actress. Born Reiko Ando in Tokyo, she began as a stage actress. Kitabayashi was a founding member of the famed Mingei Theatre Company, founded in 1950. Early in her career, she became well known for portraying older women. In 1960, she won best actress awards at the 10th Blue Ribbon Awards and at the Mainichi Film Awards for Kiku to Isamu. She also won the Japan Academy Prize for best actress in Rainbow Kids (1991), a film that also earned her honors from the Mainichi Film Awards and from Kinema Junpo. She died on April 27, 2010, of pneumonia at a Tokyo hospital. She was 98.
Takako Irie (入江 たか子, Irie Takako; 7 February 1911 – 12 January 1995) was a Japanese film actress. Born in Tokyo into…Takako Irie (入江 たか子, Irie Takako; 7 February 1911 – 12 January 1995) was a Japanese film actress. Born in Tokyo into the aristocratic Higashibōjō family (her birth name was Hideko Higashibōjō (東坊城 英子, Higashibōjō Hideko)), she graduated from Bunka Gakuin before debuting as an actress at Nikkatsu in 1927. She became a major star, even starting her own production company, Irie Productions, in 1932. One of Kenji Mizoguchi's silent film masterpieces, The Water Magician, was produced at that company with Irie starring. She appeared in many advertisements, as well as on fans and other commercial goods. Irie was also the subject of a folding screen painting by Nihonga artist Nakamura Daizaburō, which appeared in the 1930 Teiten (Imperial Exhibition), and which is today in the collection of the Honolulu Museum of Art; toy dolls were also produced based on this image. In the postwar period, Irie became known as a "ghost cat actress" (bakeneko joyū) for appearing in a series of kaidan (ghost story) movies. One of her late memorable roles was in Akira Kurosawa's Sanjuro, where she plays Mutsuta's wife, the lady who warns Sanjuro (Toshirō Mifune) that "the best sword stays in its scabbard". Her husband, Michiyoshi Tamura, was a film producer. Their daughter, Wakaba Irie, is also an actress. Irie's brother, Yasunaga Higashibōjō, was a film director and screenwriter.
Midori Naka (仲みどり; 19 June 1909 – 24 August 1945) was a Japanese stage actress of the Shingeki style. She initially…Midori Naka (仲みどり; 19 June 1909 – 24 August 1945) was a Japanese stage actress of the Shingeki style. She initially survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on 6 August 1945, but died 18 days later. She was the first person in the world whose death was officially certified to be a result of radiation poisoning. Her notability helped publicize the adverse effects of exposure to radiation and encouraged more research on this area.
Sadako Sawamura (沢村貞子, Sawamura Sadako; 11 November 1908 – 16 August 1996) was a Japanese stage and film actress who…Sadako Sawamura (沢村貞子, Sawamura Sadako; 11 November 1908 – 16 August 1996) was a Japanese stage and film actress who appeared in more than 200 films between 1935 and 1976.
Chieko Naniwa (浪花 千栄子) (November 19, 1907 – December 22, 1973) was a Japanese actress who was active from the 1920s to…Chieko Naniwa (浪花 千栄子) (November 19, 1907 – December 22, 1973) was a Japanese actress who was active from the 1920s to the 1970s. She is best known for playing geisha in several films, such as Kenji Mizoguchi's A Geisha, and the Forest Spirit in Akira Kurosawa's Throne of Blood. Her birth name was Kikuno Nanko.
Haruko Sugimura (杉村 春子, Sugimura Haruko; January 6, 1909 – April 4, 1997) was a Japanese stage and film actress, best…Haruko Sugimura (杉村 春子, Sugimura Haruko; January 6, 1909 – April 4, 1997) was a Japanese stage and film actress, best known for her appearances in the films of Yasujirō Ozu and Mikio Naruse from the late 1940s to the early 1960s.
Sachiko Murase (村瀬 幸子, Murase Sachiko; 21 March 1905 – 9 October 1993) was a Japanese stage and film actress. She…Sachiko Murase (村瀬 幸子, Murase Sachiko; 21 March 1905 – 9 October 1993) was a Japanese stage and film actress. She appeared in about 90 films between 1927 and 1991, often under the direction of Hiroshi Shimizu and Keisuke Kinoshita, and received numerous awards for her stage and film performances.
Yôko Umemura (梅村蓉子; October 21, 1903 – March 8, 1944), born Suzuki Hanako, was a Japanese film actress who appeared in…Yôko Umemura (梅村蓉子; October 21, 1903 – March 8, 1944), born Suzuki Hanako, was a Japanese film actress who appeared in over a hundred films from 1922 to 1944. She is especially associated with the work of directors Yasujiro Shimazu and Kenji Mizoguchi.
Shizue Tatsuta (Japanese: 龍田 静枝) (3 November 1903 - 21 January 1962) was the stage name of Shizue Shiono, a Japanese…Shizue Tatsuta (Japanese: 龍田 静枝) (3 November 1903 - 21 January 1962) was the stage name of Shizue Shiono, a Japanese actress who starred in silent movies. Born in Yamagata Prefecture, she briefly attended Japan Women's University but did not graduate. Moving to Kyoto and joining the Shochiku Studio in 1924, she subsequently starred in over seventy silent films, primarily in the role of modern girl. Her last film, Educating Father (おやぢ教育) was released in 1935. After retiring from acting, she opened a bar in Tokyo, the city in which she ultimately died aged 58.
Kumeko Urabe (Japanese: 浦辺 粂子, romanized: Urabe Kumeko), born Kimura Kume (木村 くめ, Kimura Kume), (October 5, 1902 –…Kumeko Urabe (Japanese: 浦辺 粂子, romanized: Urabe Kumeko), born Kimura Kume (木村 くめ, Kimura Kume), (October 5, 1902 – October 26, 1989) was a Japanese movie actress, one of the first in the country. She worked on stage and in film and television. Urabe was born in a rural part of Shizuoka Prefecture. She lived in several homes while growing up, as she relocated with her father, a Buddhist priest, among the temples to which he was assigned. Urabe completed her education in Numazu, and left school in 1919 to join a theatre company, touring under various stage names as an actor and dancer. In 1923, Urabe auditioned at the film studio Nikkatsu, and adopted the name Kumeko Urabe, by which she was known for the rest of her life. She appeared in her first film the following year, and continued to act until 1987. She worked with such directors as Kenji Mizoguchi and Mikio Naruse, and performed in over 320 films, including Ikiru, Older Brother, Younger Sister, Portrait of Madame Yuki, She Was Like a Wild Chrysanthemum, and Street of Shame. She also starred in television dramas, including thirteen episodes of Toshiba Sunday Theatre between 1958 and 1980. In the following decade, she carved a niche as a Grandma idol, until her death in 1989.
Sumiko Kurishima (栗島すみ子, Kurishima Sumiko) (15 March, 1902 – 16 August, 1987) was a Japanese actress and master of…Sumiko Kurishima (栗島すみ子, Kurishima Sumiko) (15 March, 1902 – 16 August, 1987) was a Japanese actress and master of traditional Japanese dance. She is often considered Japan's first female movie star.
Yuriko Hanabusa (英百合子, Hanabusa Yuriko; 7 March 1900 – 7 February 1970) was a Japanese actress. She appeared in more…Yuriko Hanabusa (英百合子, Hanabusa Yuriko; 7 March 1900 – 7 February 1970) was a Japanese actress. She appeared in more than 80 films between 1920 and 1970.
Iida Chōko (Japanese: 飯田 蝶子; April 15, 1897 – December 26, 1972) was a Japanese actress. Her real name was Shigehara…Iida Chōko (Japanese: 飯田 蝶子; April 15, 1897 – December 26, 1972) was a Japanese actress. Her real name was Shigehara Tefu. She played working class women and grandmothers, and appeared in more than 300 films. Her husband was cameraman Shigehara Hideo.
Harumi Hanayagi (花柳 はるみ, Hanayagi Harumi; 24 February 1896 – 11 October 1962) was a pioneering Japanese film and stage…Harumi Hanayagi (花柳 はるみ, Hanayagi Harumi; 24 February 1896 – 11 October 1962) was a pioneering Japanese film and stage actress.
Yoshiko Kawada (17 October 1895 – 23 March 1970) (川田芳子 in Japanese, or かわだ よしこ in kana) was a Japanese actress on…Yoshiko Kawada (17 October 1895 – 23 March 1970) (川田芳子 in Japanese, or かわだ よしこ in kana) was a Japanese actress on stage, and in silent and sound films.
Ritsuko Mori (30 October 1890 – 22 July 1961) (森律子 in Japanese, or もり りつこ in kana) was a Japanese actress. As a woman…Ritsuko Mori (30 October 1890 – 22 July 1961) (森律子 in Japanese, or もり りつこ in kana) was a Japanese actress. As a woman from a respected family, her entry into the acting profession was considered disreputable, but her success improved the opportunities and social standing of professional actresses in Japan.
Chieko Higashiyama (東山 千栄子, Higashiyama Chieko; 30 September 1890 – 8 May 1980) was a Japanese stage and film actress.…Chieko Higashiyama (東山 千栄子, Higashiyama Chieko; 30 September 1890 – 8 May 1980) was a Japanese stage and film actress. She appeared in more than 60 films from 1936 to 1967.
Sada Yacco or Sadayakko (川上 貞奴, Kawakami Sadayakko; Japanese pronunciation: [ka.wa.ka.mʲi (|) sa.da.jaꜜk.ko], July 18…Sada Yacco or Sadayakko (川上 貞奴, Kawakami Sadayakko; Japanese pronunciation: [ka.wa.ka.mʲi (|) sa.da.jaꜜk.ko], July 18, 1871 – December 7, 1946) was a Japanese geisha, actress and dancer.
Hisa Ōta (大田 ひさ, Ōta Hisa; May 7, 1868 – April 2, 1945) was a Japanese stage actress who spanned the Meiji and Taishō…Hisa Ōta (大田 ひさ, Ōta Hisa; May 7, 1868 – April 2, 1945) was a Japanese stage actress who spanned the Meiji and Taishō periods of Japan and was known by the name Hanako (花子). The kanji given for her name when born were 飛佐 (Hisa), but she did not use those during her career. Starting in 1902, she spent the majority of her career touring Europe and was the only Japanese person to model for Auguste Rodin, who gave her two masks he created, using Hanako as a model. These masks are on display in the city of Gifu in Gifu Prefecture, Japan, where she spent her twilight years. She was also the basis for Mori Ōgai's short story Hanako.
Rika Nakagawa (中川 梨花, Nakagawa Rika; born April 21, 1998) is a Japanese actress and singer who is affiliated with Sun…Rika Nakagawa (中川 梨花, Nakagawa Rika; born April 21, 1998) is a Japanese actress and singer who is affiliated with Sun Music Production. Starting her career as a member of a Hokkaido-based idol group, she also appeared in various television shows and events in Hokkaido before moving to Tokyo to continue her career while studying at Keio University. She portrayed Momiji Itō in the mixed-media project Shine Post, as well as Kanata Misora, the protagonist of the anime series Narenare: Cheer for You!
Miyako Matsumoto (松本 都, Matsumoto Miyako; born April 11, 1985) is a Japanese professional wrestler and actress. She is…Miyako Matsumoto (松本 都, Matsumoto Miyako; born April 11, 1985) is a Japanese professional wrestler and actress. She is best known for her work in the Ice Ribbon promotion, where she is a former two-time ICE×60, three-time Triangle Ribbon Champion and a two-time International Ribbon Tag Team Champion, making her the promotion's second Triple Crown Champion. She also wrestles regularly for Oz Academy and Reina Joshi Puroresu and has also promoted her own shows under the Gake no Fuchi Puroresu banner.
Yoh Yoshida (吉田 羊, Yoshida Yoh; born February 3 in Kurume, Fukuoka) is a Japanese actress who is represented by the…Yoh Yoshida (吉田 羊, Yoshida Yoh; born February 3 in Kurume, Fukuoka) is a Japanese actress who is represented by the talent agency Oranku.
Rie Mimura (美村 里江, Mimura Rie; born 15 June 1984 in Fukaya, Saitama, Japan) is a Japanese actress. Her former stage…Rie Mimura (美村 里江, Mimura Rie; born 15 June 1984 in Fukaya, Saitama, Japan) is a Japanese actress. Her former stage name was Mimula. She is best known for her performance as Kyoko Okudera in One Missed Call 2.
Erika Karata (唐田 えりか, Karata Erika; born September 19, 1997) is a Japanese actress and former model associated with…Erika Karata (唐田 えりか, Karata Erika; born September 19, 1997) is a Japanese actress and former model associated with FLaMme and BH Entertainment. In 2014, she debuted as a model, and in 2017, she began a concurrent modeling and acting career in South Korea. Notable film and television projects that Karata has starred in include Lock-On Love, Asako I & II, and Arthdal Chronicles.
Kazue Komiya (小宮 和枝, Komiya Kazue; born July 12, 1952 in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese voice actress who is affiliated…Kazue Komiya (小宮 和枝, Komiya Kazue; born July 12, 1952 in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese voice actress who is affiliated with Theater Echo.
Yuriko Yoshitaka (Japanese: 吉高 由里子, Hepburn: Yoshitaka Yuriko; born July 22, 1988) is a Japanese actress. She has…Yuriko Yoshitaka (Japanese: 吉高 由里子, Hepburn: Yoshitaka Yuriko; born July 22, 1988) is a Japanese actress. She has played numerous roles in film and television, including lead roles in Snakes and Earrings, Yurigokoro, and the NHK asadora Hanako to Anne.
Yuko Kobayashi (小林 優子, Kobayashi Yūko; born February 6, 1961 in Tokyo) is a Japanese actress, voice actress, and…Yuko Kobayashi (小林 優子, Kobayashi Yūko; born February 6, 1961 in Tokyo) is a Japanese actress, voice actress, and narrator, currently affiliated with 81 Produce and married to voice actor Mitsuaki Hoshino.
Haruna Iikubo (飯窪 春菜, Īkubo Haruna; born on November 7, 1994 in Tokyo) is a Japanese actress and former pop singer. She…Haruna Iikubo (飯窪 春菜, Īkubo Haruna; born on November 7, 1994 in Tokyo) is a Japanese actress and former pop singer. She is a former tenth-generation member and sub-leader of the pop group Morning Musume and former model for the Japanese fashion magazine Love Berry.
Reina Asami (浅見 れいな, Asami Reina; born June 7, 1983, in Higashimurayama, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese actress and model…Reina Asami (浅見 れいな, Asami Reina; born June 7, 1983, in Higashimurayama, Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese actress and model who is affiliated with LesPros Entertainment.
Tae Kimura (木村 多江, Kimura Tae; born March 16, 1971) is a Japanese actress. She won the Best Actress award at the 32nd…Tae Kimura (木村 多江, Kimura Tae; born March 16, 1971) is a Japanese actress. She won the Best Actress award at the 32nd Japan Academy Prize for All Around Us.
Mana Ashida (芦田 愛菜, Ashida Mana; born June 23, 2004) is a Japanese actress, talent and singer. Her first appearance was…Mana Ashida (芦田 愛菜, Ashida Mana; born June 23, 2004) is a Japanese actress, talent and singer. Her first appearance was in Asahi Broadcasting Corporation's ABC Short Movie 2, though she rose to prominence after acting in the television drama Mother. She became the youngest lead star in Japanese drama history when she starred in Sayonara Bokutachi no Youchien. She was the youngest lead actress in a television serial drama by appearing in the serial drama Marumo no Okite in the spring of 2011. She also appeared in Japanese films such as Confessions and Bunny Drop. Ashida and her co-actor Fuku Suzuki sang the 2011 hit song "Maru Maru Mori Mori", the theme song for the television drama Marumo no Okite.