Keiko Matsuzaka facts for kids

Keiko Matsuzaka (松坂 慶子 (Matsuzaka Keiko)) is a famous Japanese actress. She was born on July 20, 1952. Keiko Matsuzaka has had a very long and successful career in both films and television, starting when she was just a child. She is known for her many different roles and has won several important awards for her acting.

Early Life

Keiko Matsuzaka was born in Ōta, Tokyo, which is a part of Tokyo, Japan. Her father was originally from South Korea and later became a Japanese citizen. Her mother was Japanese.

A Star's Journey: Keiko Matsuzaka's Career

Keiko Matsuzaka started acting when she was very young, in the 1960s. She grew up in the film industry, working for big movie studios like Daiei and Shochiku.

Famous Film Roles

Keiko Matsuzaka played a special role called the "Madonna" in the 1981 film Naniwa no Koi no Torajirō. This movie was part of the very popular Otoko wa Tsurai yo series. She was so good that the producers asked her to play the role again in 1993 for another film in the same series, Torajirō no Endan.

She also appeared in other exciting movies like Legend of the Eight Samurai (1983). Later, she starred in Dr. Akagi (1998) and Runin: Banished (2004). Keiko Matsuzaka has won many awards for her acting. She won "Best Actress" at the 6th Hochi Film Award for her roles in The Gate of Youth and Tora-san's Love in Osaka. She won the same award again at the 15th Hochi Film Award for her work in The Sting of Death.

Memorable Television Appearances

Keiko Matsuzaka has also been a big star on television. One of her first TV roles was in the superhero show Ultra Seven in 1968. She played important historical figures in NHK's Taiga drama series, which are long historical TV shows.

For example, she played Nohime, the wife of the famous warlord Oda Nobunaga, in the 1973 drama Kunitori Monogatari. She also appeared in Edo o Kiru for many years, playing the character Oyuki. In 1975, she was Aguri in Genroku Taiheiki, a story about the Forty-seven Ronin. Later, she played Sada (Kawakami Sadayakko) in the 1985 Taiga drama Haru no Hatō. More recently, she played "Ikushima" in the 2008 Taiga Drama Atsuhime.

Other Works and Commercials

Besides acting, Keiko Matsuzaka has also released songs and a book of her photographs. She has also appeared in many television commercials for different products and companies, like Nippon Menard Cosmetic Co., Nissin Foods, and Nissan Sunny.

Selected Filmography

Films

• Green Light to Joy (1967)
• The Last Samurai (1974)
• The Incident (1978)
• The Gate of Youth (1981)
• Tora-san's Love in Osaka (1981)
• Fall Guy (1982)
• Legend of the Eight Samurai (1983)
• House on Fire (1987)
• The Sting of Death (1990)
• Otoko wa Tsurai yo: Tora-san's Matchmaker (1993)
• Dr. Akagi (1998)
• The Happiness of the Katakuris (2001)
• Runin: Banished (2004)
• The Inugamis (2006)
• Legend of the Demon Cat (2017)
• The House Where the Mermaid Sleeps (2018)
• Don't Call It Mystery: The Movie (2023)

Television Shows

• Ultra Seven (1968)
• Kunitori Monogatari (1973) - Nōhime
• Edo o Kiru (1973–1981)
• Genroku Taiheiki (1975)
• Kusa Moeru (1979)
• Haru no Hatō (1985) - Sada Yacco
• Yoshitsune (2005) - Taira no Tokiko
• Atsuhime (2008) - Ikushima
• Burning Flower (2015)
• Here Comes Asa! (2016)
• Segodon (2018)
• Manpuku (2018)
• Doctor-X: Surgeon Michiko Daimon (2019)
• The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House (2023)
• Ranman (2023)

Awards and Recognitions

Keiko Matsuzaka has received many awards throughout her career, showing how talented she is.

Major Film Awards

• Japan Academy Prize: This is one of the most important film awards in Japan.
  • She won the Japan Academy Prize for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role three times:
    • In 1981 for The Gate of Youth and Otoko wa Tsurai yo: Tora-San's Love in Osaka.
    • In 1982 for Fall Guy and Lovers Lost.
    • In 1990 for The Sting of Death.
  • She also won the Japan Academy Prize for Popularity Award in 1980.

• Blue Ribbon Awards: Another respected film award in Japan.
  • She won the Blue Ribbon Awards for Best Actress twice:
    • In 1981 for The Gate of Youth and Otoko wa Tsurai yo: Tora-San's Love in Osaka.
    • In 1990 for The Sting of Death.

• Kinema Junpo Awards: One of the oldest and most respected film awards in Japan.
  • She won the Kinema Junpo Award for Best Actress twice:
    • In 1982 for Fall Guy.
    • In 1990 for The Sting of Death.

• Mainichi Film Awards: Another prestigious film award.
  • She won the Mainichi Film Award for Best Actress twice:
    • In 1982 for Fall Guy and Lovers Lost.
    • In 1990 for The Sting of Death.
  • She also received the Tanaka Kinuyo Life Achievement Award in 1997 and won for Best Supporting Actress multiple times.

• Hochi Film Award:
  • She won the Hochi Film Award for Best Actress twice:
    • In 1981 for The Gate of Youth and Otoko wa Tsurai yo: Tora-San's Love in Osaka.
    • In 1990 for The Sting of Death.

• Nikkan Sports Film Award:
  • She won the Nikkan Sports Film Award for Best Actress in 1990 for The Sting of Death.

Other Special Recognitions

• Yokohama Film Festival for Life Achievement Award (1983)
• Elan d'or Awards for Newcomer of the Year (1973)

Honours

Keiko Matsuzaka has also received special honours from the Japanese government and cultural organizations:

• 60th NHK Broadcast Cultural Award (2008)
• Medal with Purple Ribbon (2009): This is a special award given by the Japanese government to individuals who have made significant contributions to arts, science, and culture.