Meiko Kaji
Meiko Kaji | |
|---|---|
Vĩ mầm y tử | |
| Born | March 24, 1947 Chiyoda,Tokyo, Japan |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, singer |
| Years active | 1965–present |
Meiko Kaji(Vĩ mầm y tử,Kaji Meiko,born March 24, 1947)is a Japanese actress and singer. Since the 1960s, she has appeared in over 100 film and television roles,[3]most prominently in the 1970s with her most famous roles as outlaw characters, best known for her performances in the film seriesStray Cat Rock,Wandering Ginza Butterfly,Female Prisoner 701: ScorpionandLady Snowblood.Kaji also performed as a singer, releasing records concurrently with her film career and beyond, even providing the official feature theme song tracks to a few of the films in which she also starred.
Career[edit]
Acting career[edit]
Meiko Kaji was bornMasako Ōtain theKandaarea of Tokyo and graduated from the Yakumo Academy high school inMeguro, Tokyo.She began to work in the film industry under her real name atNikkatsustudio in 1965 after graduating from high school.[1]Her first supporting film role was in 1968 inRetaliation.In 1969 she appeared inNihon Zankyoden,one of a series of films directed byMasahiro Makino,who recognized her acting ability and provided her with the stage name of Meiko Kaji.[2]In 1970 she had a starring role inBlind Woman's Cursedirected byTeruo Ishii,and from 1970 to 1971 she appeared in theNoraneko Rokku(Stray cat/Alleycat Rock) series of films about delinquent and rebellious young people and gangs, appearing in all five films in different character roles.
In 1971, Nikkatsu would move more towards production in thepink filmbusiness, which were more overtly sexual; and to avoid roles in such films, Kaji moved to theToei Company.[1]There she starred in the four-partFemale Convict 701: Scorpionseries ofwomen in prison revenge filmsas Nami Matsushima/ "Matsu the Scorpion", a woman sent to prison for seeking revenge and her attempts to escape, and in 1972 she first starred in theWandering Ginza Butterflyyakuza/gangster series as Higuchi Nami.
In 1973 she starred inLady Snowblooddirected byToshiya Fujitaand distributed byToho,a revenge film set in late 1800s Japan based on themanga of the same name,where she played the deadly assassin Yuki. It is considered by many critics to be her most famous role, particularly outside of Japan, and would later go on to inspire other media, includingQuentin Tarantino'sKill Billfilms.[4][5][6]A year later she reprised her role as Yuki in the sequelLady Snowblood 2: Love Song of Vengeancein 1974. She went on to appear in several ofKinji Fukasaku's films, such asYakuza Graveyardin 1976 and in 1978 starred inSonezaki Shinjū,where she earned nominations for Best Actress at five different award shows, winning four of them.[7]
By the end of the 1970s, Kaji left major film roles following a combination of overwork amidst rampant production schedules and underpayment,[4]but had occasional film roles in the 1980s and 2010s, includingUnder the Open Skyin 2020. Kaji also worked in television since the 1980s, in 1989 portraying the informant Omasa in the television dramaOnihei Hankachō,theShochiku–Fuji Televisionversion starringkabukiactorNakamura Kichiemon II.In 2022, she appeared in the 2022Amazon Prime Videoanthology seriesModern Love Tokyofor the episode "Nursing My Son, and Some Grievances".
During her acting career Kaji received acting offers from non-Japanese film studios, including those fromHollywood,but declined them, as she felt she could not give a good performance in a language other than Japanese.[8]
Music career[edit]
Kaji is also a singer. She sang the theme song toLady Snowblood,"Shura no Hana" (Tu La の hoa), and the theme song of theFemale Convict Scorpionseries, "Urami Bushi" (Oán み tiết). When both these songs were used in the 2003Quentin TarantinofilmKill Bill,[1]there was a revival of interest in Kaji's music that encouraged her to resume her musical career.[9]In 2009, she released a single,Onna wa yametai.In 2011, Kaji released her first new album in 31 years,Aitsu no suki-so-na burūsu(あいつ の hảo きそなブルース)[10]with songs written byRyudo UzakiandYoko Aki.
In May 2020, Kaji launched her own channel onYouTube,as a way to both celebrate her work with fans all over the world, and to give back to everyone who had supported her.
Filmography[edit]
Films[edit]
- Retaliation(1968) (credited as Masako Ota)[11]
- Outlaw:Gangster VIP 2(1968)[12]
- Blind Woman's Curse(June 1970, d.Teruo Ishii)
- Shinjuku outlaw: Step On the Gas(Tân túc アウトロー ぶっ phi ばせ,Shinjuku autorō – Buttobase)(Oct. 1970)
- TheStray Cat Rockseries (1970–71)
- Stray Cat Rock: Delinquent Girl Boss
- Stray Cat Rock: Wild Jumbo
- Stray Cat Rock: Sex Hunter
- Stray Cat Rock: Machine Animal
- Alleycat Rock: Crazy Riders '71(Dã lương miêu ロック bạo tẩu tập đoàn ’７１,Nora neko rokku: Bōsōshūdan '71)(Jan. 1971, d.Toshiya Fujita)
- TheSasoriseries (1972–73)
- TheGinchoseries (1972)
- Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Deadly Fight in Hiroshima(1973)
- Lady Snowblood(1973)
- Lady Snowblood 2: Love Song of Vengeance(1974)
- The Homeless(1974)
- New Battles Without Honor and Humanity: The Boss's Head(1975)
- Lullaby of the Earth(Đại địa の tử thủ bái,Daichi no komoriuta)(June 1976, d.Yasuzo Masumura)
- Yakuza Graveyard(1976)
- Double Suicide of Sonezaki(1978)
- Tree Without Leaves(1986)
- Onihei hankacho(1995)
- Oh! Oku(2006)
- Under the Open Sky(2020)[13]
- The Voice of Sin(2020), Mayumi
- What Did You Eat Yesterday?(2021)[14]
Television[edit]
- Ōedo Sōsamō(1970–71), Konami
- Ronin of the Wilderness(1972)
- Sasagawa Saho Matatabi Shirizu – Kuresakatouge e no chisou(1972), Oshizu
- Terauchi Kantarō Ikka(1974), Shizue Terauchi
- Sorekara no Musashi(1981), Yuri-hime
- Ōoku(1983)
- Kaseifu wa mita! 2(1984)
- Aoi hitomi no seiraifu(1984)
- Sutaa tanjō(1985)
- Tantei Kamizu Kyōsuke no satsujin suiri 8: Izu Shimoda-kaigan ni akai satsui ga hashiru(1988), Shōko Hamano
- Aoi sanmyaku '88(1988), Umetaro
- Onihei Hankachō(1989–2016), Omasa
- Kenkaku Shōbai(1998–2010), Omon
- Kaseifu ha mita!21 (2003), Mayumi Hirao
- Anata no tonari ni dare ka iru(2003), Shimako Matsumoto
- Kenkaku Shobai Sukedachi(2004)
- Onihei Hankacho Supesharu: Yamabukiya Okatsu(2005)
- Nogaremono orin(2006)
- Hasshū mawari kuwayama jūbei(2007)
- Kenkyaku shobai: Haru no arashi(2008)
- Kekkon shinai(2012)
- Joiuchi: Hairyo zuma shimatsu(2013)
- Taxi Driver no Suiri Nisschi 34(2013)
- Samurai Rebellion(2013)
- Gokuaku Gambo(2014)
- Joshu Seven(2017)
- What Did You Eat Yesterday?(2019–23)[15]
- Modern Love Tokyo(2022)[16]
- YuYu Hakusho(2023), Genkai[17]
Discography[edit]
Singles[edit]
| Title (romaji) | Title (Japanese) | Released | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jingi Komoriuta / Koi ni inochi o | Nhân nghĩa tử thủ bái ／ luyến に mệnh を | July 5, 1970 | |
| Inochi no Namida / Kanashii Egao | Mệnh の lệ ／ bi しい cười nhan | March 5, 1971 | |
| Hamabe no Meruhen / Ai he no kitai | Bang biên の メルヘン／ ái へ の chờ mong | July 5, 1971 | |
| Gincho Wataridori / Gincho Buruusu | Bạc điệp độ り điểu ／ bạc điệp ブルース | March 5, 1972 | Theme song fromWandering Ginza Butterfly |
| Urami Bushi / Onna no Jumon | Oán み tiết ／ nữ の chú văn | December 1, 1972 | Theme song fromFemale Convict 701: Scorpion |
| Kaji Meiko No Miryoku | Vĩ mầm y tử の mị lực {A mặt “さそり” サントラ, B mặt “Bạc điệp” サントラ} | December 25, 1972 | A-side: theme song fromFemale Convict 701: Scorpion,B-side: theme song fromWandering Ginza Butterfly |
| Meiko no Fute-Bushi / Onna Hagure Uta | Mầm y tử の ふて tiết ／おんなはぐれ bái | April 15, 1973 | |
| Yadokari / Kakioki | やどかり／かきおき | September 1, 1973 | |
| Hagure-Bushi / Kiba no Ballad | はぐれ tiết ／ nha の バラード | July 10, 1973 | |
| Shura no Hana / Hoo Yare Ho... | Tu La の hoa ／ほおやれほ･････ | December 25, 1973 | Theme song fromLady Snowblood |
| Jeans Blues / Ingabana | ジーンズぶるうす／ nhân quả hoa | March 25, 1974 | Theme song fromJinzu burusu: Asu naki furaiha |
| Kono Atarashii Asa ni / Ame no Yoru Anata wa | こ の tân しい triều に／ vũ の đêm あなたは | November 25, 1974 | |
| Meinichi / Akane Kumo | Mệnh ngày ／あかね vân | September 21, 1975 | |
| Hoshii Mono Wa / Imasara Nante Shikaranaide Kudasai | Dục しいも の は／ nay càng sất らないでください～ luyến văn ～ | February 21, 1977 | |
| Fukurokouji Sanbancho / Nokoribi | Túi đường nhỏ tam phiên đinh ／ tàn り hỏa | September 21, 1977 | |
| Akane Gumo / Motomachi Chanson | あかね vân ／ nguyên đinh シャンソン | May 21, 1978 | |
| Banka / Hiyoke Megane | Vãn hạ ／ dương よけめがね | July 21, 1979 | |
| Shuki No Uta / Aa Ii Osake | Rượu quý の ca ／ああ いいお rượu | May 21, 1980 | |
| Atsui Sake / Nagasaki wa Ajisai-Moyou no Aishu | Nhiệt い rượu ／ Nagasaki はアジサイ mô dạng の sầu bi | January 1980 | |
| Kawaita Hana / Kirisame Hotel | Càn いた hoa ／ sương mù vũ ホテル | December 21, 1984 | |
| Fushigi Ne / Fune Ni Yurarete | Không tư nghị ね／ thuyền にゆられて | July 21, 1994 | |
| Onna Wo Yametai / Omoide-Biyori | Nữ をやめたい／ tư い ra ngày cùng | June 24, 2009 |
Albums[edit]
| Title (romaji) | Title (Japanese) | Released | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gincho Wataridori | Bạc điệp độ り điểu | July 1, 1972 | |
| Hajiki Shishu | はじき thi tập | June 1, 1973 | |
| Orijinaru Besuto 12: Yadokari | やどかり〈オリジナルベスト12〉 | October 25, 1973 | |
| Otoko Onna Kokoro No Aika | Nam ・ nữ ・こころ の ai ca | April 25, 1974 | |
| Golden Star Twin Deluxe | ゴールデンスター・ツイン・デラックス | May 25, 1974 | |
| Sareyo Sareyo Kanashimi No Shirabe | Đi れよ, đi れよ, bi しみ の điều べ | November 25, 1974 | |
| Kyou No Wagami Wa... | きょう の ta が thân は･････ | December 21, 1975 | |
| Akane Gumo | あかね vân | August 21, 1978 | |
| Wakare Urami Namida Uta | Đừng れ oán み lệ うた | November 21, 1979 | |
| Shuki No Uta | Rượu quý の ca | October 28, 1980 | |
| Zenkyoku Shu | Toàn khúc tập | 2004 | |
| Meiko Kaji – Best Collection | Vĩ mầm y tử ベスト・コレクション | March 24, 2010 | |
| Aitsu No Suki Sona Burusu | あいつ の hảo きそなブルース | May 25, 2011 |
Awards and nominations[edit]
- Won:Best Actress forThe Love Suicides at Sonezaki
- Won:Kinuyo Tanaka Award for her career
References[edit]
- ^abcdD., Chris(2005). "Meiko Kaji".Outlaw Masters of Japanese Film.London; New York: I.B. Tauris. p. 59.ISBN1-84511-086-2.
- ^abIsoda, Tsutomu (August 31, 2008).Nihon Eiga Meisaku Kanzen Gaido: Shōwa No Autorō Hen Besuto 400 1960–1980[Complete Guide to Classic Japanese Films: 400 Best Outlaw Films of the Showa Era 1960–1980] (in Japanese). ウルトラ・ヴァイヴ. p. 71.ISBN978-4-401-75122-8.
- ^"Profile at Ameba.Jp",Vĩ mầm y tử プロフィール,ameba.jp,retrievedFebruary 9,2012
- ^abJames Balmont (2020)."Meiko Kaji: The original action hero of Japanese cinema".Love.
- ^Russ Fischer (2016)."Exploring The Hollow Rewards Of Revenge In Toshiya Fujita's Influential 'Lady Snowblood' Films".IndieWire.
- ^Katie Rife (2016)."A Tarantino-approved classic gets vibrant new life in The Complete Lady Snowblood".The A.V. Club.
- ^"Sonezaki Shinju(1978) Awards ".IMDb.RetrievedDecember 19,2008.
- ^Shinsuke Kasai(interviewer), Meiko Kaji (interviewee) (2012).Nihon Eiga Retorosupekutibu.Nihon Eiga Senmon Channeru.
- ^Shiina, Muneyuki (June 1, 2011)."Kaji Meiko Interview at Rooftop magazine"(in Japanese).RetrievedFebruary 16,2012.
- ^Vĩ mầm y tử, ３１ năm ぶり の thiết れ vị オリジナルアルバム phát bán,asahi, June 1, 2011. Retrieved June 3, 2011.
- ^Credits(booklet). Arrow Films. 2015. p. 3. AV007.
- ^"“Vô lại” より đại cán bộ ".Nikkatsu.RetrievedApril 8,2020.
- ^"すばらしき thế giới".eiga.RetrievedMay 11,2021.
- ^"Kịch trường bản き の う gì thực べた?".eiga.RetrievedSeptember 24,2023.
- ^"き の う gì thực べた? season2".The Television.RetrievedSeptember 24,2023.
- ^"『モダンラブ・ Đông Kinh 』 tân キャストに cao lương kiện ngô, tam phổ thấu tử ら bổn dư cáo ＆キービジュアルも công khai".Real Sound.September 21, 2022.RetrievedSeptember 29,2022.
- ^"Lăng dã mới vừa ・ lung đằng hiền một が hộ ngu Lữ huynh đệ, đạo viên ngô lang は tả kinh に “U ☆ du ☆ bạch thư” tân キャスト9 danh bỏ lệnh cấm ".Natalie.RetrievedNovember 11,2023.
- ^Báo biết ánh họa thưởng ヒストリー(in Japanese). Cinema Hochi. Archived fromthe originalon January 31, 2009.RetrievedJanuary 26,2010.
- ^"Điền trung lụa đại thưởng の vĩ mầm y tử “これだけ quang vinh に tư った thưởng はありません” ".Sponichi.RetrievedMarch 31,2021.
Further reading[edit]
- Rikke Schubart:Super Bitches and Action Babes: The Female Hero in Popular Cinema, 1970–2006(McFarland & Company,USA 2007)ISBN978-0-7864-2924-0:Contains a chapter on Meiko Kaji.
External links[edit]
- Meiko KajiatIMDb
- Schubart, Rikke."Meiko Kaji:" Woman walking at the brink of life and death "".medievidenskab.Archived fromthe originalon July 2, 2007.RetrievedJuly 6,2007.
- Yahoo Japan Profile(in Japanese)
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