Meiko Kaji
Acting
1947-03-24 · Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan
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
Romantics Anonymous
2025 · Series
Yu Yu Hakusho
2023 · Series
Modern Love Tokyo
2022 · Series
Written Down
2022 · Movie
What Did You Eat Yesterday?
2021 · Movie
Nezunoban
2021 · Movie
Under the Open Sky
2021 · Movie
The Voice of Sin
2020 · Movie
My Neighbor's Masala
2020 · Movie
What Did You Eat Yesterday?
2019 · Series
The Inugami Clan
2018 · Movie
Seven Ms. Prisoners
2017 · Series
Onihei Crime Files: The Final Kohen - Unryu Ken
2016 · Movie
Onihei Crime Files: The Final Zenpen - Gonenme no Kyaku
2016 · Movie
Bad Girls of Japan
2015 · Movie
Love or Duty: Samurai Rebellion
2013 · Movie
Wonderful Single Life
2012 · Series
Onihei Crime Files: A Bandit Wedding
2011 · Movie
Onihei Crime Files: Conscience of a Worm
2011 · Movie
Onihei Crime Files: Sutegoro Takahagi
2010 · Movie
Onihei Crime Files: Bungoro Amabiki
2009 · Movie
The Silent Sword: Loyalty and Honor
2008 · Movie
Onihei Crime Files: The Inside Woman
2008 · Movie
The Lawyer of Shimane
2007 · Movie
Kuwayama Jubei travels to eight provinces
2007 · Series
Onihei Crime Files: Unibrow
2007 · Movie
Oh-Oku: The Women Of The Inner Palace
2006 · Movie
Nogaremono Orin
2006 · Series
Onihei Crime Files Special: Bandits
2006 · Movie
Samurai Justice: The Female Bodyguard
2006 · Movie
Samurai Justice: A Duel at Takadanobara
2005 · Movie
Onihei Crime Files Special: Okatsu from Yamabukiya
2005 · Movie
Samurai Justice 2: Mother & Daughter
2005 · Movie
Samurai Justice: Assistance in a Duel
2004 · Movie
Ooku Dai-isho
2004 · Series
Capone: Roppongi Renkin no Teio
2004 · Movie
There's Someone Watching
2003 · Series
Zeno: Unlimited Love
1999 · Movie
Kenkaku Shōbai
1998 · Series
SMAP×SMAP
1996 · Series
Onihei's Detective Records
1995 · Movie
Hanayome wa 16-sai!
1995 · Series
Magistrate Toyama: Conspiracy of a Beautiful Woman! Rampage in Kanhashu
1990 · Movie
Bounty Hunter Muyonosuke
1990 · Movie
Onihei Hankachō
1989 · Series
Lone Wolf & Child: Assassin on the Road to Hell
1989 · Movie
The Blue Mountains '88
1988 · Movie
Detective Kyosuke Kozu's Murder Reasoning 8
1988 · Movie
Tree Without Leaves
1986 · Movie
森村誠一サスペンス 異常の太陽
1986 · Series
秘められた関係
1986 · Series
Hanayome Ishou wa Dare ga Kiru
1986 · Series
Ponytail Won't Look Back
1985 · Series
A Star is Born
1985 · Series
Life of St. Blue Eyes
1984 · Series
ミステリー「万引き夫人のとんでもない誤解」
1984 · Series
Cold Current
1983 · Movie
There Was a War When I Was a Child
1981 · Movie
The Man of Five Rings
1981 · Series
The Wicked
1980 · Movie
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: The Complete Saga
1980 · Movie
Double Suicide of Sonezaki
1978 · Movie
Fushoku no kōzō
1977 · Series
Dazzling Cops
1977 · Series
Flickering Flames
1977 · Movie
Yakuza Graveyard
1976 · Movie
Lullaby of the Earth
1976 · Movie
Between Women and Wives
1976 · Movie
New Battles Without Honor and Humanity 2: Head of the Boss
1975 · Movie
The Story of Yumeji Takehisa: In Love
1975 · Movie
Main Line to Terror
1975 · Movie
The Homeless
1974 · Movie
Lady Snowblood 2: Love Song of Vengeance
1974 · Movie
Jeans Blues: No Future
1974 · Movie
Terauchi Kantarō Ikka
1974 · Series
Female Prisoner Scorpion: #701's Grudge Song
1973 · Movie
Lady Snowblood
1973 · Movie
Yakuza of the Present
1973 · Movie
Sengoku Rock Hagure Kiba
1973 · Series
Female Prisoner Scorpion: Beast Stable
1973 · Movie
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Deadly Fight in Hiroshima
1973 · Movie
Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41
1972 · Movie
Wandering Ginza Butterfly: She-Cat Gambler
1972 · Movie
Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion
1972 · Movie
Wandering Ginza Butterfly
1972 · Movie
Ronin of the Wastelands
1972 · Series
Morning Fog
1971 · Movie
Blood for Blood
1971 · Movie
Onna no Iji
1971 · Movie
The Killer
1971 · Movie
Night Butterflies
1971 · Movie
Secret Zone of Tokyo
1971 · Movie
Stray Cat Rock: Beat '71
1971 · Movie
Stray Cat Rock: Machine Animal
1970 · Movie
Step on the Gas!
1970 · Movie
Ōedo Sōsamō
1970 · Series
Stray Cat Rock: Sex Hunter
1970 · Movie
Stray Cat Rock: Wild Jumbo
1970 · Movie
Melody of Rebellion
1970 · Movie
Blind Woman's Curse
1970 · Movie
Cherry Blossoms in the Air - The Suicide Raiders - Oh, Buddies!
1970 · Movie
Stray Cat Rock: Delinquent Girl Boss
1970 · Movie
Greatest Boss of Japan
1970 · Movie
A Young Man's Stronghold
1970 · Movie
Gambling Den Desire
1970 · Movie
A Gangster's Morals
1970 · Movie
The Fearless Brotherhood Duet of Kanto
1970 · Movie
The Cleanup
1969 · Movie
Vermillion Sword: Scabbard Code Sword Amidst the Swirling Cherry Blossoms
1969 · Movie
Gokudô Petenshi
1969 · Movie
Gambler's Dilemma
1969 · Movie
Chivalrous Pride
1969 · Movie
The SAKURA Code
1969 · Movie
Tale of the Last Japanese Yakuza
1969 · Movie
Mini-Skirt Lynchers
1969 · Movie
Inu to Asachan
1969 · Movie
Yabanjin no Nekutai
1969 · Movie
Women of the Night - Woman of Seniority
1969 · Movie
Whirlwind Of Love
1969 · Movie
Women's Police
1969 · Movie
Women of the Night - Butterfly Flower
1969 · Movie
I Shall Not Forget
1968 · Movie
The Blazing Continent
1968 · Movie
Lost Virgin
1968 · Movie
若い川の流れ
1968 · Movie
Retaliation
1968 · Movie
Dorobō Sodachi Dorobōi
1968 · Movie
Monument to the Girl's Corps
1968 · Movie
Confession of a girl: The Forbidden Fruit
1968 · Movie
Outlaw: Gangster VIP 2
1968 · Movie
The Code of Man
1968 · Movie
My Sweetheart
1967 · Movie
Aruhi watashi wa
1967 · Movie
Burning Nature
1967 · Movie
A Warm Misty Night
1967 · Movie
The Man of Victory
1967 · Movie
I'll Never Cry!
1966 · Movie
The Stormy Man
1966 · Movie
No Greater Love
1966 · Movie
Kill or Be Killed
1966 · Movie
Your Life
1966 · Movie
Goodbye Mr. Tears
1966 · Movie
Love and Desire in the Night Mist
1966 · Movie
Till We Meet Again
1966 · Movie
I Love The Sun
1966 · Movie
Blood Shed
1966 · Movie
Youth A Go Go!
1966 · Movie
Showdown in the Red Valley
1965 · Movie
In Tears
1965 · Movie
Adventure With Him
1965 · Movie
The Rule for a Vagabond
1965 · Movie
Seishun zenki: Aoi kajitsu
1965 · Movie
Gambling is My Destiny
1965 · Movie
Song of Farewell
1965 · Movie