Keiko Tsushima
Biography
Keiko Tsushima (津島 恵子, 7 February 1926 – 1 August 2012) was a Japanese actress. Born Naoko Mori (森 直子), she worked under the stage name Keiko Tsushima throughout her career. Tsushima is best known for her prominent role in Akira Kurosawa’s 1954 film Seven Samurai, a landmark of Japanese cinema. In addition to her film work, she appeared in Japanese television series, including Sakura and Kimi ga Jinsei no Toki. Her career spanned several decades, during which she contributed to both cinematic and televised productions in Japan. Tsushima passed away on 1 August 2012 at the age of 86.
Career overview
Keiko Tsushima (津島 恵子), born 7 February 1926 and deceased 1 August 2012, was a Japanese actress whose birth name was Naoko Mori (森 直子). Her career encompassed both film and television, and she is most widely recognized for her prominent role in Akira Kurosawa’s 1954 classic Seven Samurai. The film’s international reputation has ensured that Tsushima’s performance remains a notable point of reference in discussions of post‑war Japanese cinema.
In addition to her work on the silver screen, Tsushima appeared in Japanese television series, including titles such as Sakura and Kimi ga Jinsei no Toki. These television credits demonstrate her versatility and continued presence in the entertainment industry beyond her celebrated film appearance. Throughout her career, Tsushima contributed to the development of Japanese popular media during the mid‑20th century, leaving a legacy that is documented in film databases and biographical sources.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
78 titles- The Last Snow (2002) as Kenichiro's Mother
- Inspector Muta's Incident Files: Yokohama to Kushiro Field. The Mystery of the Triple Murder That Only Marimo Knows. (2001) as Akiko Muta
- The Stupid Teacher (2000) as Kayo Kajii
- Hometown (1999)
- The Case Files of Detective Superintendent Muta 25 - The Case of the Woman Who Slayed at Lake Toya (1998) as Akiko Muta
- Goodbye for Tomorrow (1995) as Sumiko Kanazawa
- Kyo, Futari (1990) as 母方の祖母・能田静枝
- The Demon Comes in Spring (1989)
- Tora-san's Forbidden Love (1984)
- The Mysterious Gemini • Y&S (1982)
- Waga seishun no eleven (1979)
- Kashin (1977) as Otaki
- Love and Separation in Sri Lanka (1976)
- Oretachi no Tabi (1975)
- The Surf (1975) as Wife of a light house keeper
- Tomorrow Will Shine (1974)
- Teardrops (1973) as Mrs. Masako
- Order of the Salaryman (1973)
- Theater of Life (1972)
- Morning for Two (1971)
- おれは男だ！ (1971) as 小林敏子
- The Japan Derby Race (1970)
- Brother (1969)
- Shogun's Joy of Torture (1968)
- Ohyaku: The Female Demon (1968)
- Wicked Priest (1968)
- The Daughters of the Saotome Family (1962)
- The Lighthouse (1959)
- The Path Under the Platanes (1959) as Nobuko Takabatake
- The Hotelman's Holiday (1958)
- The Child Writers (1958) as Natsu
- The Lonely Swordsman (Part 2) (1957)
- Talkative Company President (1957) as Miyako Tachibana
- Good Luck to These Two (1957)
- A Town with a Mountain and River (1957) as Mineko Sugawara
- I Saw the Killer (1956) as Kimiko Fujisaki
- The Lonely Swordsman (Part 1) (1956)
- Dotanba (1956)
- Wedding Day (1956)
- Will-o'-the-Wisp (1956)
- Kojinbutu no fufu (1956) as 妻とし子
- Tengoku wa doko da (1956)
- Avalanche (1956)
- The Sacrifice of the Human Torpedoes (1955) as Sachiko Manabe
- Yukiko (1955)
- Twilight Saloon (1955) as Emi Rosa
- Floating Weeds Diary (1955) as Yayoi Ichikawa
- Meigetsu sataro gasa (1955)
- Seven Samurai (1954) as Shino
- The Black Current (1954)
- A Samurai's Love (1954)
- Cape Ashizuri (1954)
- The Valley Between Love and Death (1954) as Aiko Takeuchi
- 12 Chapters About Women (1954) as Minako Atsuka
- Hanran (1954)
- Kunisada Chūji (1954) as Otoyo
- Sincere Heart (1953) as Kiyoko Nonomiya
- Tower of Lilies (1953) as Teacher Miyagi
- Hiroba no kōdoku (1953) as Fumie
- Sisters (1953)
- Our Chief, Our Doctor (1952) as Mayumi Sada
- The Flavor of Green Tea Over Rice (1952) as Setsuko Yamauchi
- The Waves (1952)
- Devil’s Statue (1952)
- An Angel Dreams Too (1951)
- Tekirei san'nin musume (1951) as Motoko Matsukawa
- Fireworks Over the Sea (1951) as Yukiko Nomura
- Pure White Nights (1951)
- The Woman’s Reflective Pool (1951) as Kimiko Fujikura
- Omoide no borero (1950)
- Homecoming (1950)
- The Bells of Nagasaki (1950)
- Yume o meshimase (1950) as Midori Matsumura
- The Actress and the Detective (1950)
- The Bridal Night Again (1949)
- Sad Whistling (1949) as Kachigawa Kachigawa
- Great X (1948) as Chiyo
- The Ball at the Anjo House (1947) as Yôko Shinkawa
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Keiko Tsushima best known for?
Keiko Tsushima is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Kyo, Futari (1990), Shogun's Joy of Torture (1968), Seven Samurai (1954), The Black Current (1954).
When and where was Keiko Tsushima born?
Keiko Tsushima was born on February 7, 1926 in Tsushima, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. They passed away on August 1, 2012.
How many credits does Keiko Tsushima have?
Keiko Tsushima has accumulated over 78 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1947 to 2002.
What is Keiko Tsushima's background in cinema and television?
Keiko Tsushima (津島 恵子, 7 February 1926 – 1 August 2012) was a Japanese actress. Born Naoko Mori (森 直子), she worked under the stage name Keiko Tsushima throughout her career. Tsushima is best known for her prominent role in Akira Kurosawa’s 1954 film Seven Samurai, a landmark of Japanese cinema. In addition to her film ...
Keiko Tsushima by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- The Black Current (1954) — aged about 28
- Seven Samurai (1954) as Shino — aged about 28
- The Flavor of Green Tea Over Rice (1952) as Setsuko Yamauchi — aged about 26
- Tower of Lilies (1953) as Teacher Miyagi — aged about 27
- Shogun's Joy of Torture (1968) — aged about 42
- Kyo, Futari (1990) as 母方の祖母・能田静枝 — aged about 64
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