Meiko Kaji

Person

Meiko Kaji

Acting 79 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,…

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Known for

Popular titles

SMAP×SMAP

SMAP×SMAP

8.5 1996 TV Show
Lady Snowblood

Lady Snowblood

7.5 1973 Movie
Yu Yu Hakusho

Yu Yu Hakusho

7.5 2023 TV Show
Onihei Hankachō

Onihei Hankachō

7.8 1989 TV Show
Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion

Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion

7.0 1972 Movie
Lady Snowblood 2: Love Song of Vengeance

Lady Snowblood 2: Love Song of Vengeance

6.4 1974 Movie
Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41

Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41

7.1 1972 Movie
Romantics Anonymous

Romantics Anonymous

8.2 2025 TV Show
Female Prisoner Scorpion: Beast Stable

Female Prisoner Scorpion: Beast Stable

6.8 1973 Movie
Female Prisoner Scorpion: #701's Grudge Song

Female Prisoner Scorpion: #701's Grudge Song

6.2 1973 Movie
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Deadly Fight in Hiroshima

Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Deadly Fight in Hiroshima

7.3 1973 Movie
Blind Woman's Curse

Blind Woman's Curse

6.3 1970 Movie

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Biography

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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

Movies and shows, newest first

  1. 2025
    Romantics Anonymous

    TV show

  2. 2023
    Yu Yu Hakusho

    TV show Genkai

  3. 2022
    Modern Love Tokyo

    TV show Mako

  4. 2022
    Written Down

    Movie Music

  5. 2021
    What Did You Eat Yesterday?

    Movie Hisae Kakei

  6. 2021
    Nezunoban

    Movie Kumiko

  7. 2021
    Under the Open Sky

    Movie Shoji Atsuko

  8. 2020
    The Voice of Sin

    Movie Mayumi Sone

  9. 2020
    My Neighbor's Masala

    Movie

  10. 2019
    What Did You Eat Yesterday?

    TV show Hisae Kakei

  11. 2018
    The Inugami Clan

    Movie 宮川香琴

  12. 2017
    Seven Ms. Prisoners

    TV show Ryo Ichijo

  13. 2016
    Onihei Crime Files: The Final Kohen - Unryu Ken

    Movie

  14. 2016
    Onihei Crime Files: The Final Zenpen - Gonenme no Kyaku

    Movie

  15. 2015
    Bad Girls of Japan

    Movie

  16. 2013
    Love or Duty: Samurai Rebellion

    Movie Suga Sasahara

More credits
  1. 2012
    Wonderful Single Life

    TV show Yoko Kirishima

  2. 2011
    Onihei Crime Files: A Bandit Wedding

    Movie

  3. 2011
    Onihei Crime Files: Conscience of a Worm

    Movie Omasa

  4. 2010
    Onihei Crime Files: Sutegoro Takahagi

    Movie Omasa

  5. 2009
    Onihei Crime Files: Bungoro Amabiki

    Movie Omasa

  6. 2008
    The Silent Sword: Loyalty and Honor

    Movie

  7. 2008
    Onihei Crime Files: The Inside Woman

    Movie Omasa

  8. 2007
    The Lawyer of Shimane

    Movie Ishizuka Yoko

  9. 2007
    Kuwayama Jubei travels to eight provinces

    TV show

  10. 2007
    Onihei Crime Files: Unibrow

    Movie Omasa

  11. 2006
    Oh-Oku: The Women Of The Inner Palace

    Movie Narration

  12. 2006
    Nogaremono Orin

    TV show Kosakatae

  13. 2006
    Onihei Crime Files Special: Bandits

    Movie Omasa

  14. 2006
    Samurai Justice: The Female Bodyguard

    Movie

  15. 2005
    Samurai Justice: A Duel at Takadanobara

    Movie

  16. 2005
    Onihei Crime Files Special: Okatsu from Yamabukiya

    Movie Omasa

  17. 2005
    Samurai Justice 2: Mother & Daughter

    Movie Omoto

  18. 2004
    Samurai Justice: Assistance in a Duel

    Movie Omoto

  19. 2004
    Ooku Dai-isho

    TV show

  20. 2004
    Capone: Roppongi Renkin no Teio

    Movie

  21. 2003
    There's Someone Watching

    TV show Shimako Matsumoto

  22. 1999
    Zeno: Unlimited Love

    Movie Gentarou's mother (voice)

  23. 1998
    Kenkaku Shōbai

    TV show

  24. 1996
    SMAP×SMAP

    TV show Bistro Guest