Meiko Kaji
Actor
Biography
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
Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion
as Nami Matsushima 1972
Lady Snowblood 2: Love Song of Vengeance
as Yuki Kashima 1974
Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41
as Nami Matsushima 1972
Female Prisoner Scorpion: Beast Stable
as Nami Matsushima 1973
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Deadly Fight in Hiroshima
as Yasuko Uehara 1973
Female Prisoner Scorpion: #701's Grudge Song
as Nami Matsushima 1973
Blind Woman's Curse
as Akemi Tachibana 1970
Stray Cat Rock: Sex Hunter
as Mako 1970
Under the Open Sky
as Shoji Atsuko 2021
Yakuza Graveyard
as Keiko Matsunaga 1976
Stray Cat Rock: Delinquent Girl Boss
as Mei 1970
Stray Cat Rock: Wild Jumbo
as C-ko 1970
Stray Cat Rock: Beat '71
as Furiko 1971
Stray Cat Rock: Machine Animal
as Maya 1970
Wandering Ginza Butterfly
as Nami 1972
New Battles Without Honor and Humanity 2: Head of the Boss
as Misako 1975