
Person
Meiko Kaji
Acting
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- Mar 24, 1947
- From
- 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.
Images
Credits

Lady Snowblood

Yu Yu Hakusho

Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion

Lady Snowblood 2: Love Song of Vengeance

Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41

Female Prisoner Scorpion: Beast Stable

Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Deadly Fight in Hiroshima

Female Prisoner Scorpion: #701's Grudge Song

Blind Woman's Curse

Under the Open Sky

Stray Cat Rock: Sex Hunter

Yakuza Graveyard

Stray Cat Rock: Delinquent Girl Boss

Romantics Anonymous

Stray Cat Rock: Wild Jumbo

Stray Cat Rock: Beat '71

What Did You Eat Yesterday?

Stray Cat Rock: Machine Animal