Kaori Momoi

Kaori Momoi is a Japanese actress who traveled to London at age 12 to study dance and later graduated from the Bungakuza School of Dramatic Arts. She debuted in 1971 in Kon Ichikawa's Ai Futatabi. Her film career includes work with Akira Kurosawa on Kagemusha (1980), Yoji Yamada on The Yellow Handkerchief, Mitani Koki on Welcome Back, Mr. McDonald (1997), and Takashi Miike on Sukiyaki Western Django (2007). She also appeared in Alexander Sokurov's The Sun (2005) and Rob Marshall's Memoirs of a Geisha (2005). Momoi has won two Japanese Academy Awards for Best Actress and one for Best Supporting Actress, and was named Best Actress at the 1983 New York International Film Festival for Giwaku. Beyond acting, she has produced, directed, written for the screen, released 15 albums as a singer, and worked as an essayist. Her honors include the Medal with Purple Ribbon, the Kinuyo Tanaka Award, and the Order of the Rising Sun, 4th Class.