- Born
- Place
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.
As actor
What Did You Eat Yesterday?
Under the Open Sky
Nezunoban
The Voice of Sin
My Neighbor's Masala
The Inugami Clan
Onihei Crime Files: The Final Kohen - Unryu Ken
Onihei Crime Files: The Final Zenpen - Gonenme no Kyaku
Bad Girls of Japan
Love or Duty: Samurai Rebellion
Onihei Crime Files: Conscience of a Worm
Onihei Crime Files: A Bandit Wedding
Onihei Crime Files: Sutegoro Takahagi
Onihei Crime Files: Bungoro Amabiki
Onihei Crime Files: The Inside Woman
The Silent Sword: Loyalty and Honor
The Lawyer of Shimane
Onihei Crime Files: Unibrow
Onihei Crime Files Special: Bandits
Oh-Oku: The Women Of The Inner Palace
Samurai Justice: The Female Bodyguard
Onihei Crime Files Special: Okatsu from Yamabukiya
Samurai Justice: A Duel at Takadanobara
Samurai Justice 2: Mother & Daughter
Capone: Roppongi Renkin no Teio
Samurai Justice: Assistance in a Duel
Zeno: Unlimited Love
Onihei's Detective Records
Bounty Hunter Muyonosuke
Magistrate Toyama: Conspiracy of a Beautiful Woman! Rampage in Kanhashu