Meiko Kaji
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.
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Full filmography
- SMAP×SMAP (1996) as Bistro Guest
- Modern Love Tokyo (2022) as Mako
- Onihei Hankachō (1989) as おまさ
- Yu Yu Hakusho (2023) as Genkai
- Romantics Anonymous (2025)
- What Did You Eat Yesterday? (2019) as Hisae Kakei
- Seven Ms. Prisoners (2017) as Ryo Ichijo
- Ōedo Sōsamō (1970)
- Wonderful Single Life (2012) as Yoko Kirishima
- Fushoku no kōzō (1977) as Natori Fuyuko
- Life of St. Blue Eyes (1984) as Misa Fujita
- Ponytail Won't Look Back (1985) as Akiko
- The Man of Five Rings (1981)
- Ooku Dai-isho (2004)
- Lady Snowblood (1973) as Yuki Kashima
- Ronin of the Wastelands (1972) as Ofumi
- Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion (1972) as Nami Matsushima
- Kenkaku Shōbai (1998)
- Sengoku Rock Hagure Kiba (1973) as Sae
- Kuwayama Jubei travels to eight provinces (2007)
- There's Someone Watching (2003) as Shimako Matsumoto
- Terauchi Kantarō Ikka (1974)
- Nogaremono Orin (2006) as Kosakatae
- Under the Open Sky (2021) as Shoji Atsuko