Acting
Meiko Kaji
EN, JA cinema · 126 credits
Born
24 March 1947 (age 79)
Birthplace
Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan
Also known as Masako Ohta · Masako Ôta · 梶 芽衣子 · 太田 雅子 · Ōta Masako · 카지 메이코
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.
Known for
Filmography
What Did You Eat Yesterday?
as Hisae Kakei
Under the Open Sky
as Shoji Atsuko
Nezunoban
as Kumiko
The Voice of Sin
as Mayumi Sone
The Inugami Clan
as 宮川香琴
Love or Duty: Samurai Rebellion
as Suga Sasahara
The Lawyer of Shimane
as Ishizuka Yoko
Zeno: Unlimited Love
as Gentarou's mother (voice)
The Blue Mountains '88
as Umetaro
The Wicked
as Chise Fujishima
Double Suicide of Sonezaki
as O-Hatsu
Yakuza Graveyard
as Keiko Matsunaga
Between Women and Wives
as Eiko Maeda
Lullaby of the Earth
as Young Lady
The Story of Yumeji Takehisa: In Love
as Tamaki Kishi
Main Line to Terror
as Fumiko
Jeans Blues: No Future
as Hijiriko
Lady Snowblood 2: Love Song of Vengeance
as Yuki Kashima
The Homeless
as Sakei
Lady Snowblood
as Yuki Kashima
Female Prisoner Scorpion: Beast Stable
as Nami Matsushima
Female Prisoner Scorpion: #701's Grudge Song
as Nami Matsushima
Yakuza of the Present
as Katsuko Niki
Wandering Ginza Butterfly
as Nami Higuchi
Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41
as Nami Matsushima
Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion
as Nami Matsushima
Wandering Ginza Butterfly: She-Cat Gambler
as Nami Higuchi
Stray Cat Rock: Beat '71
as Furiko
Blood for Blood
as Masae Yoshinaga
Onna no Iji
as Rika
Blind Woman's Curse
as Akemi Tachibana
Step on the Gas!
as Emiko
Women's Police
as Michiko Fukue
Vermillion Sword: Scabbard Code Sword Amidst the Swirling Cherry Blossoms
as Natsuko Inubushi
Mini-Skirt Lynchers
as Toshie Takami
Gambler's Dilemma
as Komiyama Maki
Retaliation
as Saeko
Outlaw: Gangster VIP 2
as Keiko Asami
Lost Virgin
as Eiko Hase
A Warm Misty Night
as Hiromi
Youth A Go Go!
as Yuko Muraki
The Stormy Man
as Hisako Teramoto
Blood Shed
as Osakae
Showdown in the Red Valley
as Daughter Kimiko
