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