Meiko Kaji
Acting
Born March 24, 1947 · 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. 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.
Films (125)
What Did You Eat Yesterday?
2021
Nezunoban
2021
Under the Open Sky
2021
The Voice of Sin
2020
My Neighbor's Masala
2020
The Inugami Clan
2018
Onihei Crime Files: The Final Kohen - Unryu Ken
2016
Onihei Crime Files: The Final Zenpen - Gonenme no Kyaku
2016
Bad Girls of Japan
2015
Love or Duty: Samurai Rebellion
2013
Onihei Crime Files: A Bandit Wedding
2011
Onihei Crime Files: Conscience of a Worm
2011
Onihei Crime Files: Sutegoro Takahagi
2010
Onihei Crime Files: Bungoro Amabiki
2009
The Silent Sword: Loyalty and Honor
2008
Onihei Crime Files: The Inside Woman
2008
The Lawyer of Shimane
2007
Onihei Crime Files: Unibrow
2007
Oh-Oku: The Women Of The Inner Palace
2006
Onihei Crime Files Special: Bandits
2006
Samurai Justice: The Female Bodyguard
2006
Samurai Justice: A Duel at Takadanobara
2005
Onihei Crime Files Special: Okatsu from Yamabukiya
2005
Samurai Justice 2: Mother & Daughter
2005
Samurai Justice: Assistance in a Duel
2004
Capone: Roppongi Renkin no Teio
2004
Zeno: Unlimited Love
1999
Onihei's Detective Records
1995
Magistrate Toyama: Conspiracy of a Beautiful Woman! Rampage in Kanhashu
1990
Bounty Hunter Muyonosuke
1990
Lone Wolf & Child: Assassin on the Road to Hell
1989
The Blue Mountains '88
1988
Detective Kyosuke Kozu's Murder Reasoning 8
1988
Tree Without Leaves
1986
Cold Current
1983
There Was a War When I Was a Child
1981
The Wicked
1980
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: The Complete Saga
1980
Double Suicide of Sonezaki
1978
Flickering Flames
1977
Yakuza Graveyard
1976
Lullaby of the Earth
1976
Tsuma to onna no aida
1976
Takehisa Yumeji monogatari: koi suru
1975
New Battles Without Honor and Humanity 2: Head of the Boss
1975
Main Line to Terror
1975
The Homeless
1974
Lady Snowblood 2: Love Song of Vengeance
1974
Jeans Blues: No Future
1974
Female Prisoner Scorpion: #701's Grudge Song
1973
Lady Snowblood
1973
Yakuza of the Present
1973
Female Prisoner Scorpion: Beast Stable
1973
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Deadly Fight in Hiroshima
1973
Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41
1972
Wandering Ginza Butterfly: She-Cat Gambler
1972
Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion
1972
Wandering Ginza Butterfly
1972
Morning Fog
1971
Blood for Blood
1971
The Killer
1971
Onna no Iji
1971
Night Butterflies
1971
Secret Zone of Tokyo
1971
Stray Cat Rock: Beat '71
1971
Stray Cat Rock: Machine Animal
1970
Step on the Gas!
1970
Stray Cat Rock: Sex Hunter
1970
Stray Cat Rock: Wild Jumbo
1970
Melody of Rebellion
1970
Blind Woman's Curse
1970
Cherry Blossoms in the Air - The Suicide Raiders - Oh, Buddies!
1970
Stray Cat Rock: Delinquent Girl Boss
1970
Greatest Boss of Japan
1970
A Young Man's Stronghold
1970
Gambling Den Desire
1970
A Gangster's Morals
1970
The Fearless Brotherhood Duet of Kanto
1970
The Cleanup
1969
Vermillion Sword: Scabbard Code Sword Amidst the Swirling Cherry Blossoms
1969
Gokudô Petenshi
1969
Gambler's Dilemma
1969
Chivalrous Pride
1969
The SAKURA Code
1969
Tale of the Last Japanese Yakuza
1969
Mini-Skirt Lynchers
1969
Inu to Asachan
1969
Yabanjin no Nekutai
1969
Women of the Night - Woman of Seniority
1969
Whirlwind Of Love
1969
Women's Police
1969
Women of the Night - Butterfly Flower
1969
I Shall Not Forget
1968
The Blazing Continent
1968
Lost Virgin
1968
若い川の流れ
1968
Retaliation
1968
Dorobō Sodachi Dorobōi
1968
Monument to the Girl's Corps
1968
Confession of a girl: The Forbidden Fruit
1968
Outlaw: Gangster VIP 2
1968
The Code of Man
1968
My Sweetheart
1967
Aruhi watashi wa
1967
Burning Nature
1967
A Warm Misty Night
1967
The Man of Victory
1967
I'll Never Cry!
1966
The Stormy Man
1966
No Greater Love
1966
Kill or Be Killed
1966
Your Life
1966
Goodbye Mr. Tears
1966
Till We Meet Again
1966
Love and Desire in the Night Mist
1966
I Love The Sun
1966
Blood Shed
1966
Youth A Go Go!
1966
Showdown in the Red Valley
1965
Adventure With Him
1965
In Tears
1965
The Rule for a Vagabond
1965
Seishun zenki: Aoi kajitsu
1965
Gambling is My Destiny
1965
Song of Farewell
1965