Meiko Kaji
Actor
- Born
- March 24, 1947 (age 79) · Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan
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.
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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
Lady Snowblood
December 1, 1973
Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion
August 25, 1972
Lady Snowblood 2: Love Song of Vengeance
June 15, 1974
Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41
December 30, 1972
Female Prisoner Scorpion: Beast Stable
July 29, 1973
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Deadly Fight in Hiroshima
April 28, 1973
Female Prisoner Scorpion: #701's Grudge Song
December 29, 1973
Blind Woman's Curse
June 20, 1970
Under the Open Sky
February 11, 2021
Stray Cat Rock: Sex Hunter
September 1, 1970
Yakuza Graveyard
October 30, 1976
Stray Cat Rock: Delinquent Girl Boss
May 2, 1970
Acting125
- 2021What Did You Eat Yesterday? as Hisae Kakei
- 2021Nezunoban as Kumiko
- 2021Under the Open Sky as Shoji Atsuko
- 2020The Voice of Sin as Mayumi Sone
- 2020My Neighbor's Masala
- 2018The Inugami Clan as 宮川香琴
- 2016Onihei Crime Files: The Final Kohen - Unryu Ken
- 2016Onihei Crime Files: The Final Zenpen - Gonenme no Kyaku
- 2015Bad Girls of Japan
- 2013Love or Duty: Samurai Rebellion as Suga Sasahara