Acting
Meiko Kaji
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.
Filmography
Romantics Anonymous
Series · 2025
Yu Yu Hakusho
Series · 2023
Modern Love Tokyo
Series · 2022
What Did You Eat Yesterday?
Film · 2021
Under the Open Sky
Film · 2021
Nezunoban
Film · 2021
The Voice of Sin
Film · 2020
My Neighbor's Masala
Film · 2020
What Did You Eat Yesterday?
Series · 2019
The Inugami Clan
Film · 2018
Seven Ms. Prisoners
Series · 2017
Onihei Crime Files: The Final Kohen - Unryu Ken
Film · 2016
Onihei Crime Files: The Final Zenpen - Gonenme no Kyaku
Film · 2016
Bad Girls of Japan
Film · 2015
Love or Duty: Samurai Rebellion
Film · 2013
Wonderful Single Life
Series · 2012
Onihei Crime Files: Conscience of a Worm
Film · 2011
Onihei Crime Files: A Bandit Wedding
Film · 2011
Onihei Crime Files: Sutegoro Takahagi
Film · 2010
Onihei Crime Files: Bungoro Amabiki
Film · 2009
Onihei Crime Files: The Inside Woman
Film · 2008
The Silent Sword: Loyalty and Honor
Film · 2008
The Lawyer of Shimane
Film · 2007
Onihei Crime Files: Unibrow
Film · 2007
Kuwayama Jubei travels to eight provinces
Series · 2007
Onihei Crime Files Special: Bandits
Film · 2006
Oh-Oku: The Women Of The Inner Palace
Film · 2006
Samurai Justice: The Female Bodyguard
Film · 2006
Nogaremono Orin
Series · 2006
Onihei Crime Files Special: Okatsu from Yamabukiya
Film · 2005
Samurai Justice: A Duel at Takadanobara
Film · 2005
Samurai Justice 2: Mother & Daughter
Film · 2005
Capone: Roppongi Renkin no Teio
Film · 2004
Samurai Justice: Assistance in a Duel
Film · 2004
Ooku Dai-isho
Series · 2004
There's Someone Watching
Series · 2003
Zeno: Unlimited Love
Film · 1999
Kenkaku Shōbai
Series · 1998
SMAP×SMAP
Series · 1996
Onihei's Detective Records
Film · 1995
Hanayome wa 16-sai!
Series · 1995
Bounty Hunter Muyonosuke
Film · 1990
Magistrate Toyama: Conspiracy of a Beautiful Woman! Rampage in Kanhashu
Film · 1990
Lone Wolf & Child: Assassin on the Road to Hell
Film · 1989
Onihei Hankachō
Series · 1989
The Blue Mountains '88
Film · 1988
Detective Kyosuke Kozu's Murder Reasoning 8
Film · 1988
Tree Without Leaves
Film · 1986
Hanayome Ishou wa Dare ga Kiru
Series · 1986
秘められた関係
Series · 1986
森村誠一サスペンス 異常の太陽
Series · 1986
Ponytail Won't Look Back
Series · 1985
A Star is Born
Series · 1985
ミステリー「万引き夫人のとんでもない誤解」
Series · 1984
Life of St. Blue Eyes
Series · 1984
Cold Current
Film · 1983
There Was a War When I Was a Child
Film · 1981
The Man of Five Rings
Series · 1981
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: The Complete Saga
Film · 1980
The Wicked
Film · 1980
Double Suicide of Sonezaki
Film · 1978
Flickering Flames
Film · 1977
Fushoku no kōzō
Series · 1977
Dazzling Cops
Series · 1977
Yakuza Graveyard
Film · 1976
Between Women and Wives
Film · 1976
Lullaby of the Earth
Film · 1976
Takehisa Yumeji monogatari: koi suru
Film · 1975
Main Line to Terror
Film · 1975
New Battles Without Honor and Humanity 2: Head of the Boss
Film · 1975
Jeans Blues: No Future
Film · 1974
Lady Snowblood 2: Love Song of Vengeance
Film · 1974
The Homeless
Film · 1974
Terauchi Kantarō Ikka
Series · 1974
Lady Snowblood
Film · 1973
Female Prisoner Scorpion: Beast Stable
Film · 1973
Female Prisoner Scorpion: #701's Grudge Song
Film · 1973
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Deadly Fight in Hiroshima
Film · 1973
Yakuza of the Present
Film · 1973
Sengoku Rock Hagure Kiba
Series · 1973
Wandering Ginza Butterfly
Film · 1972
Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41
Film · 1972
Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion
Film · 1972
Wandering Ginza Butterfly: She-Cat Gambler
Film · 1972
Ronin of the Wastelands
Series · 1972
Morning Fog
Film · 1971
Secret Zone of Tokyo
Film · 1971
Night Butterflies
Film · 1971
Stray Cat Rock: Beat '71
Film · 1971
Blood for Blood
Film · 1971
The Killer
Film · 1971
Onna no Iji
Film · 1971
Cherry Blossoms in the Air - The Suicide Raiders - Oh, Buddies!
Film · 1970
A Gangster's Morals
Film · 1970
Stray Cat Rock: Delinquent Girl Boss
Film · 1970
Stray Cat Rock: Sex Hunter
Film · 1970
Stray Cat Rock: Machine Animal
Film · 1970
Stray Cat Rock: Wild Jumbo
Film · 1970
A Young Man's Stronghold
Film · 1970
Greatest Boss of Japan
Film · 1970
Gambling Den Desire
Film · 1970
Blind Woman's Curse
Film · 1970
Step on the Gas!
Film · 1970
Melody of Rebellion
Film · 1970
The Fearless Brotherhood Duet of Kanto
Film · 1970
Ōedo Sōsamō
Series · 1970
Women's Police
Film · 1969
The Cleanup
Film · 1969
Tale of the Last Japanese Yakuza
Film · 1969
Vermillion Sword: Scabbard Code Sword Amidst the Swirling Cherry Blossoms
Film · 1969
Whirlwind Of Love
Film · 1969
Mini-Skirt Lynchers
Film · 1969
Women of the Night - Butterfly Flower
Film · 1969
Yabanjin no Nekutai
Film · 1969
Gokudô Petenshi
Film · 1969
Inu to Asachan
Film · 1969
Chivalrous Pride
Film · 1969
The SAKURA Code
Film · 1969
Gambler's Dilemma
Film · 1969
Women of the Night - Woman of Seniority
Film · 1969
The Blazing Continent
Film · 1968
Confession of a girl: The Forbidden Fruit
Film · 1968
The Code of Man
Film · 1968
Monument to the Girl's Corps
Film · 1968
I Shall Not Forget
Film · 1968
Dorobō Sodachi Dorobōi
Film · 1968
若い川の流れ
Film · 1968
Retaliation
Film · 1968
Outlaw: Gangster VIP 2
Film · 1968
Lost Virgin
Film · 1968
Aruhi watashi wa
Film · 1967
A Warm Misty Night
Film · 1967
The Man of Victory
Film · 1967
Burning Nature
Film · 1967
My Sweetheart
Film · 1967
Goodbye Mr. Tears
Film · 1966
I Love The Sun
Film · 1966
Kill or Be Killed
Film · 1966
Till We Meet Again
Film · 1966
Your Life
Film · 1966
Love and Desire in the Night Mist
Film · 1966
Youth A Go Go!
Film · 1966
No Greater Love
Film · 1966
I'll Never Cry!
Film · 1966
The Stormy Man
Film · 1966
Blood Shed
Film · 1966
Seishun zenki: Aoi kajitsu
Film · 1965
Gambling is My Destiny
Film · 1965
Adventure With Him
Film · 1965
In Tears
Film · 1965
Showdown in the Red Valley
Film · 1965
Song of Farewell
Film · 1965
The Rule for a Vagabond
Film · 1965