Biography
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.
Acted in 144
2020s
- 2025
- 2023
- 2022
- 2021
Nezunoban
Kumiko
- 2020
My Neighbor's Masala
Movie
2010s
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
Seven Ms. Prisoners
Ryo Ichijo · 8 episodes
- 2016
Onihei Crime Files: The Final Kohen - Unryu Ken
Movie
Onihei Crime Files: The Final Zenpen - Gonenme no Kyaku
Movie
- 2015
Bad Girls of Japan
Movie
- 2013
Love or Duty: Samurai Rebellion
Suga Sasahara
- 2012
Wonderful Single Life
Yoko Kirishima · 11 episodes
- 2011
Onihei Crime Files: A Bandit Wedding
Movie
Onihei Crime Files: Conscience of a Worm
Omasa
- 2010
Onihei Crime Files: Sutegoro Takahagi
Omasa
2000s
- 2009
Onihei Crime Files: Bungoro Amabiki
Omasa
- 2008
Onihei Crime Files: The Inside Woman
Omasa
- 2007
The Lawyer of Shimane
Ishizuka Yoko
Kuwayama Jubei travels to eight provinces
TV
Onihei Crime Files: Unibrow
Omasa
- 2006
Nogaremono Orin
Kosakatae · 1 episode
Onihei Crime Files Special: Bandits
Omasa
Samurai Justice: The Female Bodyguard
Movie
- 2005
Samurai Justice: A Duel at Takadanobara
Movie
Onihei Crime Files Special: Okatsu from Yamabukiya
Omasa
Samurai Justice 2: Mother & Daughter
Omoto
- 2004
Samurai Justice: Assistance in a Duel
Omoto
Ooku Dai-isho
TV
Capone: Roppongi Renkin no Teio
Movie
- 2003
There's Someone Watching
Shimako Matsumoto · 10 episodes
1990s
- 1999
Zeno: Unlimited Love
Gentarou's mother (voice)
- 1998
Kenkaku Shōbai
TV
- 1996
- 1995
Onihei's Detective Records
Movie
- 1990
Bounty Hunter Muyonosuke
Movie
1980s
- 1989
Lone Wolf & Child: Assassin on the Road to Hell
Okiku
- 1988
The Blue Mountains '88
Umetaro
Detective Kyosuke Kozu's Murder Reasoning 8
Movie
- 1986
Tree Without Leaves
Movie
Hanayome Ishou wa Dare ga Kiru
Akie Fujisaki · 1 episode
- 1985
A Star is Born
TV
- 1984
Life of St. Blue Eyes
Misa Fujita · 1 episode
- 1983
Cold Current
Movie
- 1981
There Was a War When I Was a Child
Movie
The Man of Five Rings
TV
- 1980
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: The Complete Saga
Yasuko Uehara
1970s
- 1978
Double Suicide of Sonezaki
O-Hatsu
- 1977
Fushoku no kōzō
Natori Fuyuko · 1 episode
Dazzling Cops
Misugi Rie · 1 episode
Flickering Flames
Movie
- 1976
Lullaby of the Earth
Young Lady
Between Women and Wives
Eiko Maeda
- 1975
The Story of Yumeji Takehisa: In Love
Tamaki Kishi
Main Line to Terror
Fumiko
- 1974
The Homeless
Sakei
Jeans Blues: No Future
Hijiriko
Terauchi Kantarō Ikka
TV
- 1973
Yakuza of the Present
Katsuko Niki
Sengoku Rock Hagure Kiba
Sae · 9 episodes
- 1972
Wandering Ginza Butterfly
Nami Higuchi
Ronin of the Wastelands
Ofumi · 13 episodes
- 1971
Blood for Blood
Masae Yoshinaga
The Killer
Movie
Stray Cat Rock: Beat '71
Furiko
- 1970
Stray Cat Rock: Machine Animal
Maya
Ōedo Sōsamō
TV
Stray Cat Rock: Sex Hunter
Mako
Stray Cat Rock: Wild Jumbo
C-ko
Blind Woman's Curse
Akemi Tachibana
Stray Cat Rock: Delinquent Girl Boss
Mei
Greatest Boss of Japan
Movie
Gambling Den Desire
Movie
1960s
- 1969
The Cleanup
Movie
Vermillion Sword: Scabbard Code Sword Amidst the Swirling Cherry Blossoms
Natsuko Inubushi
Chivalrous Pride
Movie
The SAKURA Code
Movie
Mini-Skirt Lynchers
Toshie Takami
Yabanjin no Nekutai
Movie
Women of the Night - Woman of Seniority
Movie
- 1968
The Blazing Continent
Movie
若い川の流れ
Movie
Retaliation
Saeko
Confession of a girl: The Forbidden Fruit
Movie
The Code of Man
Movie
- 1967
Aruhi watashi wa
Movie
The Man of Victory
Movie
- 1966
I'll Never Cry!
Movie
- 1965
The Rule for a Vagabond
Hanako
Sound 1
2020s
- 2022
Written Down
Music