MK
Meiko Kaji
ActorBorn March 24, 1947 (79 years)
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.
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
Filmography
| 2025 | Romantics Anonymous (TV Series) |
| 2023 | Yu Yu Hakusho (2023) (TV Series) · as Genkai |
| 2022 | Modern Love Tokyo (TV Series) · as Mako |
| 2021 | Iribito: Stranger (TV Series) · as Sen Takano |
| 2021 | What Did You Eat Yesterday? · as Hisae Kakei |
| 2020 | Under the Open Sky · as Shoji Atsuko |
| 2020 | The Voice of Sin · as Mayumi Sone |
| 2020 | Tenshi ni Request wo (TV Series) · as Mikie Omatsu |
| 2020 | Kinou Nani Tabeta? 2020 Happy New Year Special · as Kakei Hisae |
| 2019 | What Did You Eat Yesterday? (TV Series) · as Hisae Kakei |
| 2017 | Seven Ms. Prisoners (TV Series) · as Ryo Ichijo |
| 2014 | Villiany Ganbo (TV Series) · as Sasori Dokuko |
| 2012 | Wonderful Single Life (TV Series) · as Yoko Kirishima |
| 2006 | Oh-Oku: The Women of the Inner Palace · as Narration |
| 2003 | There's Someone Watching (TV Series) · as Shimako Matsumoto |
| 2000 | AIBOU: Detective Duo (TV Series) · as Ayano Kuzumaki |
| 1998 | Kenkaku Shobai (TV Series) · as Omoto |
| 1998 | Kenkaku Shōbai (TV Series) |
| 1995 | |
| 1989 | |
| 1989 | Onihei Hankachō (1989) (TV Series) · as おまさ |
| 1986 | |
| 1980 | The Wicked · as Chise Fujishima |
| 1980 | Battles Without Honor and Humanity: The Complete Saga · as Yasuko Uehara |
| 1978 | Double Suicide of Sonezaki · as O-Hatsu |
| 1976 | Yakuza Graveyard · as Keiko Matsunaga |
| 1976 | Lullaby of the Earth · as Young Lady |
| 1975 | The Boss's Head · as Misako |
| 1975 | Main Line to Terror · as Fumiko |
| 1974 | The Homeless · as Sakei |
| 1974 | Lady Snowblood 2: Love Song of Vengeance · as Yuki Kashima |
| 1974 | Jeans Blues: No Future · as Hijiriko |
| 1974 | Terauchi Kantarō Ikka (TV Series) |
| 1973 | Female Prisoner Scorpion: #701's Grudge Song · as Nami Matsushima |
| 1973 | Lady Snowblood · as Yuki Kashima |
| 1973 | Yakuza of the Present · as Katsuko Niki |
| 1973 | Female Prisoner Scorpion: Beast Stable · as Nami Matsushima |
| 1973 | Hiroshima Death Match · as Yasuko Uehara |
| 1972 | Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41 · as Nami Matsushima |
| 1972 | |
| 1972 | Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion · as Nami Matsushima |
| 1972 | Wandering Ginza Butterfly · as Nami |
| 1971 | |
| 1971 | Asagiri · as Cast |
| 1971 | A Woman's Pride · as Rika |
| 1971 | Stray Cat Rock: Beat '71 · as Furiko |
| 1970 | Stray Cat Rock: Machine Animal · as Maya |
| 1970 | Step on the Gas! · as Emiko |
| 1970 | Stray Cat Rock: Sex Hunter · as Mako |
| 1970 | Stray Cat Rock: Wild Jumbo · as C-Ko |
| 1970 | Blind Woman's Curse · as Akemi Tachibana |
| 1970 | |
| 1970 | Stray Cat Rock: Delinquent Girl Boss · as Mei |
| 1970 | |
| 1970 | Melody of Rebellion · as Aki |
| 1969 | |
| 1969 | |
| 1969 | |
| 1969 | |
| 1969 | Women's Police · as Michiko Fukue |
| 1968 | |
| 1968 | Retaliation · as Saeko |
| 1968 | |
| 1968 | Outlaw: Gangster VIP 2 · as Keiko Asami |
| 1967 | Ketto · as Yukiya Bando |
| 1967 | |
| 1967 | |
| 1967 | Yogiri yo kon'ya mo arigatô · as Hiromi |
| 1967 | |
| 1966 | |
| 1966 | |
| 1966 | |
| 1966 | |
| 1966 | |
| 1966 | |
| 1966 | Nihon ninkyôden: Chimatsuri kenkajô · as Osakae |
| 1966 | Seishun a Go-Go · as Yuko Muraki |
| 1966 | |
| 1966 | Yaru ka yarareru ka · as Cast |
| 1965 | Akai tanima no kettô · as Daughter Kimiko |
| 1965 | |
| 1965 | The Symbol of a Man: The Rule for a Vagabond · as Hanako |
| 1965 |