Photo: 文部科学省 / CC BY 4.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
I love how Pinko Izumi can walk onto any set and instantly soak the whole frame in working-class Tokyo flavor, like the down-the-street auntie who knows everyone's business and isn't shy about saying so. She built her name firing off those scorching lines in Wataru Seken wa Oni Bakari, yet somehow you can never fully hate the woman, because there's real warmth simmering under all that sharpness. What gets me is that she came up through singing and comedy, then turned around and grounded prestige morning dramas like Oshin and Massan without missing a beat. Decades in, decorated and honored, and she still hasn't lost one ounce of that everyday, lived-in earthiness. Scary and lovable at the same exact moment, holding a balance almost nobody else pulls off. I respect it enormously.
Overview
Pinko Izumi (born September 11, 1947, in Chuo, Tokyo) is a veteran Japanese actress, singer, and comedian known for her commanding screen presence and earthy, working-class characterizations. She is best known for her long-running roles in NHK dramas including Oshin and the decades-spanning series Wataru Seken wa Oni Bakari. Her stage work was recognized with the Kikuta Kazuo Theatre Award, and in 2019 she was decorated with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays by the Japanese government.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Pinko Izumi
- Name (Japanese)
- 泉ピン子
- Reading
- いずみ
- Born
- September 11, 1947 (age 78)
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Virgo / Boar (亥)
- Origin
- Chuo, Tokyo, Japan
- Height
- 154 cm
- Occupation
- Actress / Singer / Comedian / Talent
2. Background
- High school
- Shinagawa Gakugei High School
Awards & achievements
- 2000 — Kikuta Kazuo Theatre Award
- Unknown year — Kikuta Kazuo Theatre Award
- 2019 — Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays (Kyokujitsu Shojusho)
4. Personality
Motto
Private
5. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable Work | Oshin | — | Unknown |
| Notable Work | Wataru Seken wa Oni Bakari | — | Unknown |
| Notable Work | Onna wa Dokyo | — | Unknown |
| Notable Work | Jichikai-cho Itoi Himeko Shataku no Jikenbo | — | Unknown |
| Notable Work | Massan | — | Unknown |
6. Links
- Official sitehttps://www.officeiris.com/
- Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/pinkoizumi_official/
- Wikipedia (Japanese)https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%B3%89%E3%83%94%E3%83%B3%E5%AD%90
Frequently asked questions
When was Pinko Izumi born?
Born September 11, 1947 (age 78).
Where is Pinko Izumi from?
Pinko Izumi is from Chuo, Tokyo, Japan.
What does Pinko Izumi do?
Pinko Izumi works as Actress, Singer, Comedian, Talent.
How tall is Pinko Izumi?
Pinko Izumi is 154 cm.
What is Pinko Izumi known for?
Notable works include Oshin, Wataru Seken wa Oni Bakari, Onna wa Dokyo.
Actress — see all → · Singer — see all → · More people from Japan →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-02
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.