Acting · Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan · Born March 24, 1947
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.
TVRomantics Anonymous
2025
TVYu Yu Hakusho
2023
as Genkai
TVModern Love Tokyo
2022
as Mako
MovieWhat Did You Eat Yesterday?
2021
as Hisae Kakei
MovieNezunoban
2021
as Kumiko
MovieUnder the Open Sky
2021
as Shoji Atsuko
MovieThe Voice of Sin
2020
as Mayumi Sone
MovieMy Neighbor's Masala
2020
TVWhat Did You Eat Yesterday?
2019
as Hisae Kakei
MovieThe Inugami Clan
2018
as 宮川香琴
TVSeven Ms. Prisoners
2017
as Ryo Ichijo
MovieOnihei Crime Files: The Final Kohen - Unryu Ken
2016
MovieOnihei Crime Files: The Final Zenpen - Gonenme no Kyaku
2016
MovieBad Girls of Japan
2015
MovieLove or Duty: Samurai Rebellion
2013
as Suga Sasahara
TVWonderful Single Life
2012
as Yoko Kirishima
MovieOnihei Crime Files: A Bandit Wedding
2011
MovieOnihei Crime Files: Conscience of a Worm
2011
as Omasa
MovieOnihei Crime Files: Sutegoro Takahagi
2010
as Omasa
MovieOnihei Crime Files: Bungoro Amabiki
2009
as Omasa
The Silent Sword: Loyalty and Honor
2008
MovieOnihei Crime Files: The Inside Woman
2008
as Omasa
MovieThe Lawyer of Shimane
2007
as Ishizuka Yoko
TVKuwayama Jubei travels to eight provinces
2007
MovieOnihei Crime Files: Unibrow
2007
as Omasa
MovieOh-Oku: The Women Of The Inner Palace
2006
as Narration
TVNogaremono Orin
2006
as Kosakatae
MovieOnihei Crime Files Special: Bandits
2006
as Omasa
MovieSamurai Justice: The Female Bodyguard
2006
MovieSamurai Justice: A Duel at Takadanobara
2005
MovieOnihei Crime Files Special: Okatsu from Yamabukiya
2005
as Omasa
MovieSamurai Justice 2: Mother & Daughter
2005
as Omoto
MovieSamurai Justice: Assistance in a Duel
2004
as Omoto
TVOoku Dai-isho
2004
MovieCapone: Roppongi Renkin no Teio
2004
TVThere's Someone Watching
2003
as Shimako Matsumoto
MovieZeno: Unlimited Love
1999
as Gentarou's mother (voice)
TVKenkaku Shōbai
1998
TVSMAP×SMAP
1996
as Bistro Guest
MovieOnihei's Detective Records
1995
Hanayome wa 16-sai!
1995
Magistrate Toyama: Conspiracy of a Beautiful Woman! Rampage in Kanhashu
1990
MovieBounty Hunter Muyonosuke
1990
TVOnihei Hankachō
1989
as おまさ
MovieLone Wolf & Child: Assassin on the Road to Hell
1989
as Okiku
MovieThe Blue Mountains '88
1988
as Umetaro
MovieDetective Kyosuke Kozu's Murder Reasoning 8
1988
MovieTree Without Leaves
1986
森村誠一サスペンス 異常の太陽
1986
秘められた関係
1986
TVHanayome Ishou wa Dare ga Kiru
1986
as Akie Fujisaki
TVPonytail Won't Look Back
1985
as Akiko
TVA Star is Born
1985
TVLife of St. Blue Eyes
1984
as Misa Fujita
ミステリー「万引き夫人のとんでもない誤解」
1984
MovieCold Current
1983
MovieThere Was a War When I Was a Child
1981
TVThe Man of Five Rings
1981
MovieThe Wicked
1980
as Chise Fujishima
MovieBattles Without Honor and Humanity: The Complete Saga
1980
as Yasuko Uehara
MovieDouble Suicide of Sonezaki
1978
as O-Hatsu
TVFushoku no kōzō
1977
as Natori Fuyuko
TVDazzling Cops
1977
as Misugi Rie
MovieFlickering Flames
1977
MovieYakuza Graveyard
1976
as Keiko Matsunaga
MovieLullaby of the Earth
1976
as Young Lady
MovieBetween Women and Wives
1976
as Eiko Maeda
MovieTakehisa Yumeji monogatari: koi suru
1975
as Tamaki Kishi
MovieNew Battles Without Honor and Humanity 2: Head of the Boss
1975
as Misako
MovieMain Line to Terror
1975
as Fumiko
MovieThe Homeless
1974
as Sakei
MovieLady Snowblood 2: Love Song of Vengeance
1974
as Yuki Kashima
MovieJeans Blues: No Future
1974
as Hijiriko
TVTerauchi Kantarō Ikka
1974
MovieFemale Prisoner Scorpion: #701's Grudge Song
1973
as Nami Matsushima
MovieLady Snowblood
1973
as Yuki Kashima
MovieYakuza of the Present
1973
as Katsuko Niki
TVSengoku Rock Hagure Kiba
1973
as Sae
MovieFemale Prisoner Scorpion: Beast Stable
1973
as Nami Matsushima
MovieBattles Without Honor and Humanity: Deadly Fight in Hiroshima
1973
as Yasuko Uehara
MovieFemale Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41
1972
as Nami Matsushima
MovieWandering Ginza Butterfly: She-Cat Gambler
1972
as Nami
MovieFemale Prisoner #701: Scorpion
1972
as Nami Matsushima
MovieWandering Ginza Butterfly
1972
as Nami
TVRonin of the Wastelands
1972
as Ofumi
MovieMorning Fog
1971
MovieBlood for Blood
1971
as Masae Yoshinaga
MovieThe Killer
1971
MovieOnna no Iji
1971
as Rika
MovieNight Butterflies
1971
MovieSecret Zone of Tokyo
1971
MovieStray Cat Rock: Beat '71
1971
as Furiko
MovieStray Cat Rock: Machine Animal
1970
as Maya
MovieStep on the Gas!
1970
as Emiko
TVŌedo Sōsamō
1970
MovieStray Cat Rock: Sex Hunter
1970
as Mako
MovieStray Cat Rock: Wild Jumbo
1970
as C-ko
MovieMelody of Rebellion
1970
as Aki
MovieBlind Woman's Curse
1970
as Akemi Tachibana
MovieCherry Blossoms in the Air - The Suicide Raiders - Oh, Buddies!
1970
MovieStray Cat Rock: Delinquent Girl Boss
1970
as Mei
MovieGreatest Boss of Japan
1970
MovieA Young Man's Stronghold
1970
MovieGambling Den Desire
1970
A Gangster's Morals
1970
MovieThe Fearless Brotherhood Duet of Kanto
1970
MovieThe Cleanup
1969
MovieVermillion Sword: Scabbard Code Sword Amidst the Swirling Cherry Blossoms
1969
as Natsuko Inubushi
MovieGokudô Petenshi
1969
MovieGambler's Dilemma
1969
as Komiyama Maki
MovieChivalrous Pride
1969
MovieThe SAKURA Code
1969
MovieTale of the Last Japanese Yakuza
1969
MovieMini-Skirt Lynchers
1969
as Toshie Takami
Inu to Asachan
1969
MovieYabanjin no Nekutai
1969
MovieWomen of the Night - Woman of Seniority
1969
MovieWhirlwind Of Love
1969
MovieWomen's Police
1969
as Michiko Fukue
MovieWomen of the Night - Butterfly Flower
1969
MovieI Shall Not Forget
1968
MovieThe Blazing Continent
1968
MovieLost Virgin
1968
as Eiko Hase
Movie若い川の流れ
1968
MovieRetaliation
1968
as Saeko
Dorobō Sodachi Dorobōi
1968
MovieMonument to the Girl's Corps
1968
MovieConfession of a girl: The Forbidden Fruit
1968
MovieOutlaw: Gangster VIP 2
1968
as Keiko Asami
MovieThe Code of Man
1968
MovieMy Sweetheart
1967
MovieAruhi watashi wa
1967
MovieBurning Nature
1967
MovieA Warm Misty Night
1967
as Hiromi
MovieThe Man of Victory
1967
MovieI'll Never Cry!
1966
MovieThe Stormy Man
1966
as Hisako Teramoto
MovieNo Greater Love
1966
MovieKill or Be Killed
1966
MovieYour Life
1966
MovieGoodbye Mr. Tears
1966
MovieTill We Meet Again
1966
MovieLove and Desire in the Night Mist
1966
MovieI Love The Sun
1966
MovieBlood Shed
1966
as Osakae
MovieYouth A Go Go!
1966
as Yuko Muraki
MovieShowdown in the Red Valley
1965
as Daughter Kimiko
MovieAdventure With Him
1965
MovieIn Tears
1965
MovieThe Rule for a Vagabond
1965
as Hanako
MovieSeishun zenki: Aoi kajitsu
1965
MovieGambling is My Destiny
1965
MovieSong of Farewell
1965
as Yumi
