Kinuyo Tanaka

Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Known Credits

220

Gender

Female

Birthday

1909-11-28

Day of death

1977-03-21 (67 years old)

Place of Birth

Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi, Japan

Kinuyo Tanaka

Biography

Kinuyo Tanaka (田中 絹代 Tanaka Kinuyo, 29 November 1909 – 21 March 1977) was a Japanese actress and director. Tanaka was born in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. She became a leading actress at seventeen years old, appearing in Heinosuke Gosho's An Embarrassing Dream in 1927. She proceeded to take leading parts in, among others, Yasujirō Ozu's I Graduated, But... in 1929, Gosho's Aiyoku no ki in 1930, and in 1931, Japan's first talkie, The Neighbor's Wife and Mine, directed by Gosho. She had a close working relationship with director Kenji Mizoguchi, having parts in 15 of his films, including leading roles in The Life of Oharu (1952), Ugetsu (1953) and Sansho the Bailiff (1954). Their working relationship ended when Mizoguchi countered a recommendation from the Directors Guild of Japan for the Nikkatsu studio to hire her as a director. Despite this, the production of her second film as director went ahead, but Tanaka never forgave Mizoguchi, and the reasons for his behaviour are unclear. She also played Noboru Yasumoto's mother in Akira Kurosawa's Red Beard (1965). For her portrayal in Kei Kumai's Sandakan N° 8 she won the Best Actress Award at the 25th Berlin International Film Festival in 1975. Her last screen appearance was in 1976 in Kei Kumai's Kita No Misaki. Tanaka was the second Japanese woman who worked as a film director, after Sakane Tazuko (1904‐1975). Her first directing job was on the film Love Letter in 1953, and she made five further films in that role.

Known For

  • Sansho the Bailiff

    Sansho the Bailiff

  • Red Beard

    Red Beard

  • Ugetsu

    Ugetsu

  • The Life of Oharu

    The Life of Oharu

  • Sandakan No. 8

    Sandakan No. 8

  • The Woman in the Rumor

    The Woman in the Rumor

  • Army

    Army

  • Yotsuya Ghost Story Part 2

    Yotsuya Ghost Story Part 2

  • Her Brother

    Her Brother

  • Wedding Ring

    Wedding Ring

  • Mother

    Mother

  • The Ballad of Narayama

    The Ballad of Narayama

  • Ginza Cosmetics

    Ginza Cosmetics

  • Victory Song

    Victory Song

  • Confession

    Confession

  • ABC Lifeline

    ABC Lifeline

  • The Eternal Rainbow

    The Eternal Rainbow

  • Yotsuya Ghost Story Part 1

    Yotsuya Ghost Story Part 1

  • Let's Go, Grandma!

    Let's Go, Grandma!

  • Sincere Heart

    Sincere Heart

  • Forever a Woman

    Forever a Woman

  • Lullaby of the Earth

    Lullaby of the Earth

  • Where Chimneys Are Seen

    Where Chimneys Are Seen

  • Miss Oyu

    Miss Oyu

  • A Wanderer's Notebook

    A Wanderer's Notebook

  • Flame of My Love

    Flame of My Love

  • The Fencing Master

    The Fencing Master

  • The Three Treasures

    The Three Treasures

  • The Scent of Incense

    The Scent of Incense

  • Kono sora no aru kagiri

    Kono sora no aru kagiri

  • A Hen in the Wind

    A Hen in the Wind

  • A Legend or Was It?

    A Legend or Was It?

  • Phoenix

    Phoenix

  • Hahakogusa

    Hahakogusa

  • Flowing

    Flowing

  • Marriage

    Marriage

  • How Sorrowful

    How Sorrowful

  • Stepbrothers

    Stepbrothers

  • Dragnet Girl

    Dragnet Girl

  • The Moon Has Risen

    The Moon Has Risen

  • Love Letter

    Love Letter

  • Okoto and Sasuke

    Okoto and Sasuke

  • A Tale of Archery at the Sanjusangendo

    A Tale of Archery at the Sanjusangendo

  • Yellow Crow

    Yellow Crow

  • The Love of the Actress Sumako

    The Love of the Actress Sumako

  • The Munekata Sisters

    The Munekata Sisters

  • Bright Sea

    Bright Sea

  • Mama, I Need You!

    Mama, I Need You!

  • Kenji Mizoguchi: The Life of a Film Director

    Kenji Mizoguchi: The Life of a Film Director

  • Chikamatsu's Love in Osaka

    Chikamatsu's Love in Osaka

  • Women in Prison

    Women in Prison

  • Sanbaba

    Sanbaba

  • Tsukiyo no kasa

    Tsukiyo no kasa

  • Five Sisters

    Five Sisters

  • Where Now Are the Dreams of Youth?

    Where Now Are the Dreams of Youth?

  • Double Wedding

    Double Wedding

  • I Flunked, But...

    I Flunked, But...

  • Alone Across the Pacific

    Alone Across the Pacific

  • Women of the Night

    Women of the Night

  • The Genealogy of Women

    The Genealogy of Women

  • The Man Who Has Returned

    The Man Who Has Returned

  • The New Road: Akemi

    The New Road: Akemi

  • Kinuyo's First Love

    Kinuyo's First Love

  • Wakarete ikiru toki mo

    Wakarete ikiru toki mo

  • (Street of Wandering Pigeons) When Will the Birds Come Home

    (Street of Wandering Pigeons) When Will the Birds Come Home

  • Tora-san's Dream-Come-True

    Tora-san's Dream-Come-True

  • Woman of Tokyo

    Woman of Tokyo

  • Spring Thunder

    Spring Thunder

  • The Inner Palace Conspiracy

    The Inner Palace Conspiracy

  • Song of the Flower Basket

    Song of the Flower Basket

  • The Tree of Love

    The Tree of Love

  • The Lady of Musashino

    The Lady of Musashino

  • Sisters of Nishijin

    Sisters of Nishijin

  • Shōnen shikeishū

    Shōnen shikeishū

  • The Ataka Family

    The Ataka Family

  • Utamaro and His Five Women

    Utamaro and His Five Women

  • Victory of Women

    Victory of Women

  • An Heir's Place

    An Heir's Place

  • On This Earth

    On This Earth

  • The Dancing Girl of Izu

    The Dancing Girl of Izu

  • Men vs. Women

    Men vs. Women

  • Burden of Life

    Burden of Life

  • Air Raid of the Enemy Plane

    Air Raid of the Enemy Plane

  • Okinu and Banto

    Okinu and Banto

  • Geisha in the Old City

    Geisha in the Old City

  • The New Road: Ryota

    The New Road: Ryota

  • My Elder Brother

    My Elder Brother

  • Zoku aizen katsura

    Zoku aizen katsura

  • A Certain Woman

    A Certain Woman

  • Let's Go in Good Spirits

    Let's Go in Good Spirits

  • The Father and His Son

    The Father and His Son

  • Story of Lightning

    Story of Lightning

  • The Storm

    The Storm

  • Flower

    Flower

  • The Bride Talks in Her Sleep

    The Bride Talks in Her Sleep

  • Clear and Cloudy

    Clear and Cloudy

  • Osaka Woman

    Osaka Woman

  • The Loyal 47 Ronin

    The Loyal 47 Ronin

  • Sakura Ondo

    Sakura Ondo

  • Cape of the North

    Cape of the North

  • Lady Doctor Kinuyo

    Lady Doctor Kinuyo

  • Young Master

    Young Master

  • Kaisen no Zenya

    Kaisen no Zenya

  • The Neighbour's Wife and Mine

    The Neighbour's Wife and Mine

  • Mother and Child

    Mother and Child

  • Okayo's Preparedness

    Okayo's Preparedness

  • A Man's Recompense: Part 2

    A Man's Recompense: Part 2

  • Young Lady

    Young Lady

  • Miyamoto Musashi

    Miyamoto Musashi

  • An Innocent Maid

    An Innocent Maid

  • Banchō sarayashiki

    Banchō sarayashiki

  • A Man's Recompense: Part 1

    A Man's Recompense: Part 1

  • Before the Wedding

    Before the Wedding

  • Sôbô

    Sôbô

  • Cheerful Song

    Cheerful Song

  • Sorrow Is Only for Women

    Sorrow Is Only for Women

  • Constellations on Earth, Part One: Earth Chapter

    Constellations on Earth, Part One: Earth Chapter

  • King of the Land

    King of the Land

  • Sisters: Part 2

    Sisters: Part 2

  • The Blacksmith of the Forest

    The Blacksmith of the Forest

  • Seisen aiba fu: Akatsuki ni inoru

    Seisen aiba fu: Akatsuki ni inoru

  • Storm in the City

    Storm in the City

  • Marching On

    Marching On

  • The Village Bride

    The Village Bride

  • Osayo Koi Sugata

    Osayo Koi Sugata

  • Constellations on Earth, Part 2: Constellations

    Constellations on Earth, Part 2: Constellations

  • The Model of New Women

    The Model of New Women

  • Thank You for Your Hard Work

    Thank You for Your Hard Work

  • Record of Love and Desire

    Record of Love and Desire

  • The Tale of Kinuyo

    The Tale of Kinuyo

  • Sisters: Part 1

    Sisters: Part 1

  • I Graduated, But...

    I Graduated, But...

  • A Woman from the Genroku Era

    A Woman from the Genroku Era

  • The Tramp and His Daughter

    The Tramp and His Daughter

  • Night is a Trickster

    Night is a Trickster

  • The Oath of a Thousand Kills

    The Oath of a Thousand Kills

  • That Night's Woman

    That Night's Woman

  • The Road to Marriage

    The Road to Marriage

  • Ornamental Hairpin

    Ornamental Hairpin

  • ABC Lifeline: Fujieda Chapter

    ABC Lifeline: Fujieda Chapter

  • Echigo Lion

    Echigo Lion

  • The Big City: Labor

    The Big City: Labor

  • Song of Youth

    Song of Youth

  • What a Handsome Man!

    What a Handsome Man!

  • The Beating

    The Beating

  • A Wife Quits

    A Wife Quits

  • Troubled Days

    Troubled Days

  • Where Do Women Go?

    Where Do Women Go?

  • Nature Is the Judge

    Nature Is the Judge

  • The Great Ship

    The Great Ship

  • Weeds with flowers

    Weeds with flowers

  • The Eternal Heart

    The Eternal Heart

  • Village Pasture

    Village Pasture

  • Secret Struggle

    Secret Struggle

  • Triumphant Song of the Mountain

    Triumphant Song of the Mountain

  • Torrent

    Torrent

  • Useless Button

    Useless Button

  • No Need for Your Opinion

    No Need for Your Opinion

  • Modern Warrior Training

    Modern Warrior Training

  • Shine, Japanese Women

    Shine, Japanese Women

  • The Age of Emotion

    The Age of Emotion

  • Equinox Flower

    Equinox Flower

  • The Killing of a Hundred Men at Isshinji Temple

    The Killing of a Hundred Men at Isshinji Temple

  • Honeymoon

    Honeymoon

  • Brave Love

    Brave Love

  • Mominoki wa Nokotta

    Mominoki wa Nokotta

  • Yakko no Koman

    Yakko no Koman

  • Fallen Samurai

    Fallen Samurai

  • The Big City: Explosion

    The Big City: Explosion

  • The Complete Story of Jirocho Shimizu, Part 2: Ashura's Revenge

    The Complete Story of Jirocho Shimizu, Part 2: Ashura's Revenge

  • Record of a Woman Doctor

    Record of a Woman Doctor

  • Love, Be with Humanity: Part 1

    Love, Be with Humanity: Part 1

  • Sankichi the Flying Squirrel

    Sankichi the Flying Squirrel

  • Magic

    Magic

  • The Village Where the Skylark Sings

    The Village Where the Skylark Sings

  • Takada no Baba

    Takada no Baba

  • Love's Snare

    Love's Snare

  • Love, Be with Humanity: Part 2

    Love, Be with Humanity: Part 2

  • The Little Traveling Entertainer

    The Little Traveling Entertainer

  • The Travels of Kinuyo Tanaka

    The Travels of Kinuyo Tanaka

  • Immortal Love

    Immortal Love

  • Cry Cheerfully!

    Cry Cheerfully!

  • Oh! Carefree, Aren't You?

    Oh! Carefree, Aren't You?

  • Madame Pearl

    Madame Pearl

  • Kinuyo Tanaka, a Woman We Talk About

    Kinuyo Tanaka, a Woman We Talk About

  • The Basement

    The Basement

  • Song of the Border Patrol

    Song of the Border Patrol

  • Buried Youth

    Buried Youth

  • Woman of Suffering

    Woman of Suffering

  • Love and Courage

    Love and Courage

  • Flashing Blade

    Flashing Blade

  • Cry of the Raging Current

    Cry of the Raging Current

  • Lovers' Suicide at Kiso

    Lovers' Suicide at Kiso

  • The Harakiri at Tennōji

    The Harakiri at Tennōji

  • The Glory of the Shōwa Era

    The Glory of the Shōwa Era

  • The Golden Demon

    The Golden Demon

  • Mother of the East

    Mother of the East

  • Youth, Why Do You Cry?

    Youth, Why Do You Cry?

  • The Face of Humanity

    The Face of Humanity

  • The Betrayed

    The Betrayed

  • Mother, Don't Tarnish Your Name

    Mother, Don't Tarnish Your Name

  • Studio Romance: A Guide to Love

    Studio Romance: A Guide to Love

  • Daphne

    Daphne

  • Victory or Defeat

    Victory or Defeat

  • If Only She...

    If Only She...

  • Him and Life

    Him and Life

  • Storm Zone

    Storm Zone

  • The Cheerleading Captain's Love

    The Cheerleading Captain's Love

  • A Smiling Life

    A Smiling Life

  • Chronicles of a Sea Country

    Chronicles of a Sea Country

  • The Willows of Ginza

    The Willows of Ginza

  • The Cursed Sword

    The Cursed Sword

  • My Brother's a Fool

    My Brother's a Fool

  • Love in Tokyo

    Love in Tokyo

  • Symphony of Youth

    Symphony of Youth

  • Her

    Her

  • An Embarrassing Dream

    An Embarrassing Dream

  • Townspeople

    Townspeople

  • Iron Virgin

    Iron Virgin

  • The Sun Rises from the East

    The Sun Rises from the East