Meiko Kaji
Known for Acting · 152 credits
- Born
- 1947-03-24 (age 79)
- Place of birth
- Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan
- Also known as
- Masako Ohta · Masako Ôta · 梶 芽衣子 · 太田 雅子 · Ōta Masako · 카지 메이코
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.
Known For
TV Shows (27)
SMAP×SMAP
1996
as Bistro Guest
Modern Love Tokyo
2022
as Mako
Onihei Hankachō
1989
as おまさ
What Did You Eat Yesterday?
2019
as Hisae Kakei
Yu Yu Hakusho
2023
as Genkai
Romantics Anonymous
2025
Wonderful Single Life
2012
as Yoko Kirishima
Ooku Dai-isho
2004
Fushoku no kōzō
1977
as Natori Fuyuko
Ponytail Won't Look Back
1985
as Akiko
Ōedo Sōsamō
1970
Seven Ms. Prisoners
2017
as Ryo Ichijo
Life of St. Blue Eyes
1984
as Misa Fujita
Sengoku Rock Hagure Kiba
1973
as Sae
There's Someone Watching
2003
as Shimako Matsumoto
The Man of Five Rings
1981
Kenkaku Shōbai
1998
Ronin of the Wastelands
1972
as Ofumi
Nogaremono Orin
2006
as Kosakatae
Terauchi Kantarō Ikka
1974
Kuwayama Jubei travels to eight provinces
2007
Hanayome wa 16-sai!
1995
ミステリー「万引き夫人のとんでもない誤解」
1984
秘められた関係
1986
Hanayome Ishou wa Dare ga Kiru
1986
as Akie Fujisaki
Dazzling Cops
1977
as Misugi Rie
森村誠一サスペンス 異常の太陽
1986
Movies (125)
Lady Snowblood
1973
as Yuki Kashima
Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41
1972
as Nami Matsushima
Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion
1972
as Nami Matsushima
Female Prisoner Scorpion: Beast Stable
1973
as Nami Matsushima
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Deadly Fight in Hiroshima
1973
as Yasuko Uehara
Under the Open Sky
2021
as Shoji Atsuko
Lullaby of the Earth
1976
as Young Lady
Onihei's Detective Records
1995
Female Prisoner Scorpion: #701's Grudge Song
1973
as Nami Matsushima
Lady Snowblood 2: Love Song of Vengeance
1974
as Yuki Kashima
The Wicked
1980
as Chise Fujishima
Main Line to Terror
1975
as Fumiko
Oh-Oku: The Women Of The Inner Palace
2006
as Narration
The Voice of Sin
2020
as Mayumi Sone
Samurai Justice: The Female Bodyguard
2006
What Did You Eat Yesterday?
2021
as Hisae Kakei
Double Suicide of Sonezaki
1978
as O-Hatsu
Stray Cat Rock: Beat '71
1971
as Furiko
The Inugami Clan
2018
as 宮川香琴
Yakuza Graveyard
1976
as Keiko Matsunaga
Wandering Ginza Butterfly
1972
as Nami
Stray Cat Rock: Machine Animal
1970
as Maya
The Cleanup
1969
My Sweetheart
1967
Yakuza of the Present
1973
as Katsuko Niki
Monument to the Girl's Corps
1968
The Lawyer of Shimane
2007
as Ishizuka Yoko
Blind Woman's Curse
1970
as Akemi Tachibana
Stray Cat Rock: Sex Hunter
1970
as Mako
Lost Virgin
1968
as Eiko Hase
The Silent Sword: Loyalty and Honor
2008
Stray Cat Rock: Delinquent Girl Boss
1970
as Mei
Onihei Crime Files: Unibrow
2007
as Omasa
New Battles Without Honor and Humanity 2: Head of the Boss
1975
as Misako
Melody of Rebellion
1970
as Aki
A Warm Misty Night
1967
as Hiromi
Inu to Asachan
1969
The Homeless
1974
as Sakei
Vermillion Sword: Scabbard Code Sword Amidst the Swirling Cherry Blossoms
1969
as Natsuko Inubushi
Women's Police
1969
as Michiko Fukue
No Greater Love
1966
The Stormy Man
1966
as Hisako Teramoto
Retaliation
1968
as Saeko
Flickering Flames
1977
Samurai Justice: A Duel at Takadanobara
2005
Cold Current
1983
Battles Without Honor and Humanity: The Complete Saga
1980
as Yasuko Uehara
Youth A Go Go!
1966
as Yuko Muraki
Stray Cat Rock: Wild Jumbo
1970
as C-ko
Jeans Blues: No Future
1974
as Hijiriko
Yabanjin no Nekutai
1969
Zeno: Unlimited Love
1999
as Gentarou's mother (voice)
Song of Farewell
1965
as Yumi
Lone Wolf & Child: Assassin on the Road to Hell
1989
as Okiku
A Young Man's Stronghold
1970
Onna no Iji
1971
as Rika
Women of the Night - Woman of Seniority
1969
Seishun zenki: Aoi kajitsu
1965
Blood for Blood
1971
as Masae Yoshinaga
Onihei Crime Files Special: Okatsu from Yamabukiya
2005
as Omasa
Gambler's Dilemma
1969
as Komiyama Maki
Women of the Night - Butterfly Flower
1969
Samurai Justice 2: Mother & Daughter
2005
as Omoto
若い川の流れ
1968
Samurai Justice: Assistance in a Duel
2004
as Omoto
Tree Without Leaves
1986
Outlaw: Gangster VIP 2
1968
as Keiko Asami
Onihei Crime Files: The Final Kohen - Unryu Ken
2016
Onihei Crime Files: The Inside Woman
2008
as Omasa
Blood Shed
1966
as Osakae
Dorobō Sodachi Dorobōi
1968
Gambling Den Desire
1970
Chivalrous Pride
1969
Aruhi watashi wa
1967
Your Life
1966
Mini-Skirt Lynchers
1969
as Toshie Takami
Gambling is My Destiny
1965
Onihei Crime Files: The Final Zenpen - Gonenme no Kyaku
2016
In Tears
1965
Wandering Ginza Butterfly: She-Cat Gambler
1972
as Nami
Kill or Be Killed
1966
Onihei Crime Files Special: Bandits
2006
as Omasa
Morning Fog
1971
Till We Meet Again
1966
Burning Nature
1967
Confession of a girl: The Forbidden Fruit
1968
Onihei Crime Files: Conscience of a Worm
2011
as Omasa
The Rule for a Vagabond
1965
as Hanako
I'll Never Cry!
1966
Between Women and Wives
1976
as Eiko Maeda
Takehisa Yumeji monogatari: koi suru
1975
as Tamaki Kishi
Night Butterflies
1971
The Blue Mountains '88
1988
as Umetaro
Step on the Gas!
1970
as Emiko
Greatest Boss of Japan
1970
The Blazing Continent
1968
Whirlwind Of Love
1969
Onihei Crime Files: A Bandit Wedding
2011
Magistrate Toyama: Conspiracy of a Beautiful Woman! Rampage in Kanhashu
1990
The Killer
1971
Love or Duty: Samurai Rebellion
2013
as Suga Sasahara
Tale of the Last Japanese Yakuza
1969
Showdown in the Red Valley
1965
as Daughter Kimiko
Capone: Roppongi Renkin no Teio
2004
Cherry Blossoms in the Air - The Suicide Raiders - Oh, Buddies!
1970
Adventure With Him
1965
A Gangster's Morals
1970
Onihei Crime Files: Sutegoro Takahagi
2010
as Omasa
The Code of Man
1968
I Love The Sun
1966
I Shall Not Forget
1968
The Man of Victory
1967
Gokudô Petenshi
1969
Love and Desire in the Night Mist
1966
Detective Kyosuke Kozu's Murder Reasoning 8
1988
The SAKURA Code
1969
Bounty Hunter Muyonosuke
1990
There Was a War When I Was a Child
1981
Onihei Crime Files: Bungoro Amabiki
2009
as Omasa
Goodbye Mr. Tears
1966
About 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* (Prisonniè… With 152 credits spanning from 1965 to 2025, Meiko Kaji has appeared in 125 films and 27 TV shows.
Fans searching for Meiko Kaji movies, Meiko Kaji filmography, or the latest projects starring Meiko Kaji can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Meiko Kaji Movies
- Lady Snowblood (1973) — as Yuki Kashima
- Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41 (1972) — as Nami Matsushima
- Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion (1972) — as Nami Matsushima
- Female Prisoner Scorpion: Beast Stable (1973) — as Nami Matsushima
- Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Deadly Fight in Hiroshima (1973) — as Yasuko Uehara
Where to Watch Meiko Kaji Films
Most Meiko Kaji movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Meiko Kaji, check our movies catalogue and browse page.