Meiko Kaji
Acting
Born: 1947-03-24 in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan
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.
Known For
Lady Snowblood
Yuki Kashima
Yu Yu Hakusho
Genkai
Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion
Nami Matsushima
Lady Snowblood 2: Love Song of Vengeance
Yuki Kashima
Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41
Nami Matsushima
Female Prisoner Scorpion: Beast Stable
Nami Matsushima
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Deadly Fight in Hiroshima
Yasuko Uehara
Female Prisoner Scorpion: #701's Grudge Song
Nami Matsushima
Blind Woman's Curse
Akemi Tachibana
Under the Open Sky
Shoji Atsuko
Stray Cat Rock: Sex Hunter
Mako
Yakuza Graveyard
Keiko Matsunaga
Stray Cat Rock: Delinquent Girl Boss
Mei
Romantics Anonymous
Ritsuko Saegusa
Stray Cat Rock: Wild Jumbo
C-ko
Stray Cat Rock: Beat '71
Furiko
What Did You Eat Yesterday?
Hisae Kakei
Stray Cat Rock: Machine Animal
Maya
Wandering Ginza Butterfly
Nami Higuchi
New Battles Without Honor and Humanity 2: Head of the Boss
Misako
What Did You Eat Yesterday?
Hisae Kakei
Modern Love Tokyo
Mako
Main Line to Terror
Fumiko
Retaliation
Saeko
Lullaby of the Earth
Young Lady
The Voice of Sin
Mayumi Sone
Wandering Ginza Butterfly: She-Cat Gambler
Nami Higuchi
Tree Without Leaves
Double Suicide of Sonezaki
O-Hatsu
Outlaw: Gangster VIP 2
Keiko Asami
Jeans Blues: No Future
Hijiriko
Onihei Hankachō
おまさ
The Wicked
Chise Fujishima
Wonderful Single Life
Yoko Kirishima
The Homeless
Sakei
Oh-Oku: The Women Of The Inner Palace
Narration
Love or Duty: Samurai Rebellion
Suga Sasahara
Onihei Crime Files: The Final Zenpen - Gonenme no Kyaku
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: The Complete Saga
Yasuko Uehara
Lone Wolf & Child: Assassin on the Road to Hell
Okiku