Meiko Kaji

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.

Known For

SMAP×SMAP

Modern Love Tokyo

Yu Yu Hakusho

Onihei Hankachō

What Did You Eat Yesterday?

Romantics Anonymous

Seven Ms. Prisoners

Wonderful Single Life

All Movies (125)

• What Did You Eat Yesterday?2021 · as Hisae Kakei
• Nezunoban2021 · as Kumiko
• Under the Open Sky2021 · as Shoji Atsuko
• The Voice of Sin2020 · as Mayumi Sone
• My Neighbor's Masala2020
• The Inugami Clan2018 · as 宮川香琴
• Onihei Crime Files: The Final Kohen - Unryu Ken2016
• Onihei Crime Files: The Final Zenpen - Gonenme no Kyaku2016
• Bad Girls of Japan2015
• Love or Duty: Samurai Rebellion2013 · as Suga Sasahara
• Onihei Crime Files: A Bandit Wedding2011
• Onihei Crime Files: Conscience of a Worm2011 · as Omasa
• Onihei Crime Files: Sutegoro Takahagi2010 · as Omasa
• Onihei Crime Files: Bungoro Amabiki2009 · as Omasa
• The Silent Sword: Loyalty and Honor2008
• Onihei Crime Files: The Inside Woman2008 · as Omasa
• The Lawyer of Shimane2007 · as Ishizuka Yoko
• Onihei Crime Files: Unibrow2007 · as Omasa
• Oh-Oku: The Women Of The Inner Palace2006 · as Narration
• Onihei Crime Files Special: Bandits2006 · as Omasa
• Samurai Justice: The Female Bodyguard2006
• Samurai Justice: A Duel at Takadanobara2005
• Onihei Crime Files Special: Okatsu from Yamabukiya2005 · as Omasa
• Samurai Justice 2: Mother & Daughter2005 · as Omoto
• Samurai Justice: Assistance in a Duel2004 · as Omoto
• Capone: Roppongi Renkin no Teio2004
• Zeno: Unlimited Love1999 · as Gentarou's mother (voice)
• Onihei's Detective Records1995
• Magistrate Toyama: Conspiracy of a Beautiful Woman! Rampage in Kanhashu1990
• Bounty Hunter Muyonosuke1990
• Lone Wolf & Child: Assassin on the Road to Hell1989 · as Okiku
• The Blue Mountains '881988 · as Umetaro
• Detective Kyosuke Kozu's Murder Reasoning 81988
• Tree Without Leaves1986
• Cold Current1983
• There Was a War When I Was a Child1981
• The Wicked1980 · as Chise Fujishima
• Battles Without Honor and Humanity: The Complete Saga1980 · as Yasuko Uehara
• Double Suicide of Sonezaki1978 · as O-Hatsu
• Flickering Flames1977
• Yakuza Graveyard1976 · as Keiko Matsunaga
• Lullaby of the Earth1976 · as Young Lady
• Between Women and Wives1976 · as Eiko Maeda
• Takehisa Yumeji monogatari: koi suru1975 · as Tamaki Kishi
• New Battles Without Honor and Humanity 2: Head of the Boss1975 · as Misako
• Main Line to Terror1975 · as Fumiko
• The Homeless1974 · as Sakei
• Lady Snowblood 2: Love Song of Vengeance1974 · as Yuki Kashima
• Jeans Blues: No Future1974 · as Hijiriko
• Female Prisoner Scorpion: #701's Grudge Song1973 · as Nami Matsushima
• Lady Snowblood1973 · as Yuki Kashima
• Yakuza of the Present1973 · as Katsuko Niki
• Female Prisoner Scorpion: Beast Stable1973 · as Nami Matsushima
• Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Deadly Fight in Hiroshima1973 · as Yasuko Uehara
• Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 411972 · as Nami Matsushima
• Wandering Ginza Butterfly: She-Cat Gambler1972 · as Nami
• Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion1972 · as Nami Matsushima
• Wandering Ginza Butterfly1972 · as Nami
• Morning Fog1971
• Blood for Blood1971 · as Masae Yoshinaga
• The Killer1971
• Onna no Iji1971 · as Rika
• Night Butterflies1971
• Secret Zone of Tokyo1971
• Stray Cat Rock: Beat '711971 · as Furiko
• Stray Cat Rock: Machine Animal1970 · as Maya
• Step on the Gas!1970 · as Emiko
• Stray Cat Rock: Sex Hunter1970 · as Mako
• Stray Cat Rock: Wild Jumbo1970 · as C-ko
• Melody of Rebellion1970 · as Aki
• Blind Woman's Curse1970 · as Akemi Tachibana
• Cherry Blossoms in the Air - The Suicide Raiders - Oh, Buddies!1970
• Stray Cat Rock: Delinquent Girl Boss1970 · as Mei
• Greatest Boss of Japan1970
• A Young Man's Stronghold1970
• Gambling Den Desire1970
• A Gangster's Morals1970
• The Fearless Brotherhood Duet of Kanto1970
• The Cleanup1969
• Vermillion Sword: Scabbard Code Sword Amidst the Swirling Cherry Blossoms1969 · as Natsuko Inubushi
• Gokudô Petenshi1969
• Gambler's Dilemma1969 · as Komiyama Maki
• Chivalrous Pride1969
• The SAKURA Code1969
• Tale of the Last Japanese Yakuza1969
• Mini-Skirt Lynchers1969 · as Toshie Takami
• Inu to Asachan1969
• Yabanjin no Nekutai1969
• Women of the Night - Woman of Seniority1969
• Whirlwind Of Love1969
• Women's Police1969 · as Michiko Fukue
• Women of the Night - Butterfly Flower1969
• I Shall Not Forget1968
• The Blazing Continent1968
• Lost Virgin1968 · as Eiko Hase
• 若い川の流れ1968
• Retaliation1968 · as Saeko
• Dorobō Sodachi Dorobōi1968
• Monument to the Girl's Corps1968
• Confession of a girl: The Forbidden Fruit1968
• Outlaw: Gangster VIP 21968 · as Keiko Asami
• The Code of Man1968
• My Sweetheart1967
• Aruhi watashi wa1967
• Burning Nature1967
• A Warm Misty Night1967 · as Hiromi
• The Man of Victory1967
• I'll Never Cry!1966
• The Stormy Man1966 · as Hisako Teramoto
• No Greater Love1966
• Kill or Be Killed1966
• Your Life1966
• Goodbye Mr. Tears1966
• Till We Meet Again1966
• Love and Desire in the Night Mist1966
• I Love The Sun1966
• Blood Shed1966 · as Osakae
• Youth A Go Go!1966 · as Yuko Muraki
• Showdown in the Red Valley1965 · as Daughter Kimiko
• Adventure With Him1965
• In Tears1965
• The Rule for a Vagabond1965 · as Hanako
• Seishun zenki: Aoi kajitsu1965
• Gambling is My Destiny1965
• Song of Farewell1965 · as Yumi

All TV Shows (27)

• Romantics Anonymous2025
• Yu Yu Hakusho2023 · as Genkai
• Modern Love Tokyo2022 · as Mako
• What Did You Eat Yesterday?2019 · as Hisae Kakei
• Seven Ms. Prisoners2017 · as Ryo Ichijo
• Wonderful Single Life2012 · as Yoko Kirishima
• Kuwayama Jubei travels to eight provinces2007
• Nogaremono Orin2006 · as Kosakatae
• Ooku Dai-isho2004
• There's Someone Watching2003 · as Shimako Matsumoto
• Kenkaku Shōbai1998
• SMAP×SMAP1996 · as Bistro Guest
• Hanayome wa 16-sai!1995
• Onihei Hankachō1989 · as おまさ
• 森村誠一サスペンス　異常の太陽1986
• 秘められた関係1986
• Hanayome Ishou wa Dare ga Kiru1986 · as Akie Fujisaki
• Ponytail Won't Look Back1985 · as Akiko
• Life of St. Blue Eyes1984 · as Misa Fujita
• ミステリー「万引き夫人のとんでもない誤解」1984
• The Man of Five Rings1981
• Fushoku no kōzō1977 · as Natori Fuyuko
• Dazzling Cops1977 · as Misugi Rie
• Terauchi Kantarō Ikka1974
• Sengoku Rock Hagure Kiba1973 · as Sae
• Ronin of the Wastelands1972 · as Ofumi
• Ōedo Sōsamō1970