Yōko Shimada

島田陽子　/　しまだようこ

Japanese actress known internationally for her role in the Shogun miniseries

May 17, 1953 – July 25, 2022　・　Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan

From Kumamoto Prefecture
Actress
Film Actress
Adult Model

My Take

For me, Yōko Shimada will always be Mariko in Shōgun, and honestly, what a thing that was. Picture it: 1980, a Japanese actress crossing the Pacific to hold her own opposite a full Western cast in a sprawling American miniseries, and not just keeping up but quietly stealing scenes. At 171cm with that straight-backed poise, she carried a kind of grace and steel at the same time, the sort of presence that shifts the air the second she's on screen. She'd done bright, youthful TV work back home too, so the range was real. Long careers have their rough patches, sure, and hers wasn't without them, but that world-class composure is what sticks with me. She passed in 2022, and I just think, what a genuinely fine actress she was.

Overview

Yōko Shimada (May 17, 1953 – July 25, 2022) was a Japanese actress born in Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture. She rose to wide recognition through her roles in works including the television drama Ware ra Seishun!, the Kon Ichikawa film The Inugami Family, and the American miniseries Shogun, in which she starred opposite Richard Chamberlain and gained international attention. Standing 171 cm tall, she brought a commanding screen presence throughout her career and received the Elan d'Or New Actress Award in 1974 as well as the Golden Arrow Award. She passed away on July 25, 2022.

1. Profile

Name (English): Yōko Shimada
Name (Japanese): 島田陽子
Reading: しまだようこ
Born: May 17, 1953 – July 25, 2022
Zodiac / Chinese zodiac: Taurus / Snake (巳)
Origin: Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan
Blood type: Private
Height: 171 cm
Agency: Private
Active years: Unknown
Occupation: Actress / Film Actress / Adult Model / Nude Model

2. Background

Elementary school: Private
Junior high: Private
High school: Private
University: Private
Debut: Unknown

Awards & achievements

1974 – Elan d'Or Award, New Actress
Year Unknown – Golden Arrow Award

3. Relationships

Spouse: Private
Children: Private
Parents: Private
Siblings: Private

4. Personality

Motto

Private

5. Works & records

Category	Title	Role	Year
Notable Work	Ware ra Seishun!	—	Unknown
Notable Work	Shogun (SHŌGUN)	—	Unknown
Notable Work	The Inugami Family	—	Unknown

6. Links

Wikipedia (Japanese)https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%B3%B6%E7%94%B0%E9%99%BD%E5%AD%90