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.
Acting
Movie
Lady Snowblood
as Yuki Kashima
1973
TV
Yu Yu Hakusho
as Genkai
2023
Movie
Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion
as Nami Matsushima
1972
Movie
Lady Snowblood 2: Love Song of Vengeance
as Yuki Kashima
1974
Movie
Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41
as Nami Matsushima
1972
Movie
Female Prisoner Scorpion: Beast Stable
as Nami Matsushima
1973
Movie
Female Prisoner Scorpion: #701's Grudge Song
as Nami Matsushima
1973
Movie
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Deadly Fight in Hiroshima
as Yasuko Uehara
1973
Movie
Blind Woman's Curse
as Akemi Tachibana
1970
Movie
Under the Open Sky
as Shoji Atsuko
2021
Movie
Stray Cat Rock: Sex Hunter
as Mako
1970
Movie
Yakuza Graveyard
as Keiko Matsunaga
1976
Movie
Stray Cat Rock: Delinquent Girl Boss
as Mei
1970
TV
Romantics Anonymous
2025
Movie
Stray Cat Rock: Wild Jumbo
as C-ko
1970
Movie
Stray Cat Rock: Beat '71
as Furiko
1971
Movie
Stray Cat Rock: Machine Animal
as Maya
1970
TV
What Did You Eat Yesterday?
as Hisae Kakei
2019
Movie
Wandering Ginza Butterfly
as Nami
1972
Movie
Main Line to Terror
as Fumiko
1975
Movie
New Battles Without Honor and Humanity 2: Head of the Boss
as Misako
1975
TV
Modern Love Tokyo
as Mako
2022
Movie
Retaliation
as Saeko
1968
Movie
What Did You Eat Yesterday?
as Hisae Kakei
2021
