Meiko Kaji

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 (151 Appearances)

Romantics Anonymous

2025

Yu Yu Hakusho

2023

Modern Love Tokyo

2022

What Did You Eat Yesterday?

2021

Nezunoban

2021

Under the Open Sky

2021

The Voice of Sin

2020

My Neighbor's Masala

2020

What Did You Eat Yesterday?

2019

The Inugami Clan

2018

Seven Ms. Prisoners

2017

Onihei Crime Files: The Final Kohen - Unryu Ken

2016

Onihei Crime Files: The Final Zenpen - Gonenme no Kyaku

2016

Bad Girls of Japan

2015

Love or Duty: Samurai Rebellion

2013

Wonderful Single Life

2012

Onihei Crime Files: A Bandit Wedding

2011

Onihei Crime Files: Conscience of a Worm

2011

Onihei Crime Files: Sutegoro Takahagi

2010

Onihei Crime Files: Bungoro Amabiki

2009

The Silent Sword: Loyalty and Honor

2008

Onihei Crime Files: The Inside Woman

2008

The Lawyer of Shimane

2007

Kuwayama Jubei travels to eight provinces

2007

Onihei Crime Files: Unibrow

2007

Oh-Oku: The Women Of The Inner Palace

2006

Nogaremono Orin

2006

Onihei Crime Files Special: Bandits

2006

Samurai Justice: The Female Bodyguard

2006

Samurai Justice: A Duel at Takadanobara

2005

Onihei Crime Files Special: Okatsu from Yamabukiya

2005

Samurai Justice 2: Mother & Daughter

2005

Samurai Justice: Assistance in a Duel

2004

Ooku Dai-isho

2004

Capone: Roppongi Renkin no Teio

2004

There's Someone Watching

2003

Zeno: Unlimited Love

1999

Kenkaku Shōbai

1998

SMAP×SMAP

1996

Onihei's Detective Records

1995

Hanayome wa 16-sai!

1995

Magistrate Toyama: Conspiracy of a Beautiful Woman! Rampage in Kanhashu

1990

Bounty Hunter Muyonosuke

1990

Onihei Hankachō

1989

Lone Wolf & Child: Assassin on the Road to Hell

1989

The Blue Mountains '88

1988

Detective Kyosuke Kozu's Murder Reasoning 8

1988

Tree Without Leaves

1986

秘められた関係

1986

Hanayome Ishou wa Dare ga Kiru

1986

Ponytail Won't Look Back

1985

Life of St. Blue Eyes

1984

ミステリー「万引き夫人のとんでもない誤解」

1984

Cold Current

1983

There Was a War When I Was a Child

1981

The Man of Five Rings

1981

The Wicked

1980

Battles Without Honor and Humanity: The Complete Saga

1980

Double Suicide of Sonezaki

1978

Fushoku no kōzō

1977

Dazzling Cops

1977

Flickering Flames

1977

Yakuza Graveyard

1976

Lullaby of the Earth

1976

Tsuma to onna no aida

1976

New Battles Without Honor and Humanity 2: Head of the Boss

1975

Takehisa Yumeji monogatari: koi suru

1975

Main Line to Terror

1975

The Homeless

1974

Lady Snowblood 2: Love Song of Vengeance

1974

Jeans Blues: No Future

1974

Terauchi Kantarō Ikka

1974

Female Prisoner Scorpion: #701's Grudge Song

1973

Lady Snowblood

1973

Yakuza of the Present

1973

Sengoku Rock Hagure Kiba

1973

Female Prisoner Scorpion: Beast Stable

1973

Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Deadly Fight in Hiroshima

1973

Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41

1972

Wandering Ginza Butterfly: She-Cat Gambler

1972

Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion

1972

Wandering Ginza Butterfly

1972

Ronin of the Wastelands

1972

Morning Fog

1971

Blood for Blood

1971

Onna no Iji

1971

The Killer

1971

Night Butterflies

1971

Secret Zone of Tokyo

1971

Stray Cat Rock: Beat '71

1971

Stray Cat Rock: Machine Animal

1970

Step on the Gas!

1970

Ōedo Sōsamō

1970

Stray Cat Rock: Sex Hunter

1970

Stray Cat Rock: Wild Jumbo

1970

Melody of Rebellion

1970

Blind Woman's Curse

1970

Cherry Blossoms in the Air - The Suicide Raiders - Oh, Buddies!

1970

Stray Cat Rock: Delinquent Girl Boss

1970

Greatest Boss of Japan

1970

A Young Man's Stronghold

1970

Gambling Den Desire

1970

A Gangster's Morals

1970

The Fearless Brotherhood Duet of Kanto

1970

The Cleanup

1969

Vermillion Sword: Scabbard Code Sword Amidst the Swirling Cherry Blossoms

1969

Gokudô Petenshi

1969

Gambler's Dilemma

1969

Chivalrous Pride

1969

The SAKURA Code

1969

Tale of the Last Japanese Yakuza

1969

Mini-Skirt Lynchers

1969

Inu to Asachan

1969

Yabanjin no Nekutai

1969

Women of the Night - Woman of Seniority

1969

Whirlwind Of Love

1969

Women's Police

1969

Women of the Night - Butterfly Flower

1969

I Shall Not Forget

1968

The Blazing Continent

1968

Lost Virgin

1968

若い川の流れ

1968

Retaliation

1968

Dorobō Sodachi Dorobōi

1968

Monument to the Girl's Corps

1968

Confession of a girl: The Forbidden Fruit

1968

Outlaw: Gangster VIP 2

1968

The Code of Man

1968

My Sweetheart

1967

Aruhi watashi wa

1967

Burning Nature

1967

A Warm Misty Night

1967

The Man of Victory

1967

I'll Never Cry!

1966

The Stormy Man

1966

No Greater Love

1966

Kill or Be Killed

1966

Your Life

1966

Goodbye Mr. Tears

1966

Till We Meet Again

1966

Love and Desire in the Night Mist

1966

I Love The Sun

1966

Blood Shed

1966

Youth A Go Go!

1966

Showdown in the Red Valley

1965

Adventure With Him

1965

In Tears

1965

The Rule for a Vagabond

1965

Seishun zenki: Aoi kajitsu

1965

Gambling is My Destiny

1965

Song of Farewell

1965 Debut
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