Photo: Leo Medvedev/Лев Леонидович Медведев / CC BY-SA 4.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)

Yōko Shimada

Yōko Shimada was born May 17, 1953 and died July 25, 2022 (aged 69). From Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. Height 171 cm.

Japanese actress who played Mariko in Shōgun

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.

This take was written by generative AI, one per person, from publicly reported facts (editorial policy). It is a reading of the record, not reporting.

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
Origin: Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan
Height: 171 cm
Occupation: Actress / Film Actress / Adult Model / Nude Model
Zodiac / Chinese zodiac: Taurus / Snake
Blood type: O
Active years: 1970 - 2022

2. Background

Awards & achievements

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

3. Works & records

Works summary

Appearances: 131 (1970–2022)
By year (titles with a known year): 1970: 1, 1971: 2, 1972: 8, 1973: 10, 1974: 6, 1975: 8, 1976: 8, 1977: 4, 1978: 3, 1979: 6, 1980: 5, 1981: 3, 1982: 1, 1983: 2, 1984: 2, 1985: 1, 1986: 2, 1987: 3, 1988: 3, 1989: 3, 1990: 5, 1991: 5, 1992: 1, 1993: 3, 1994: 2, 1995: 4, 1996: 1, 2000: 1, 2002: 1, 2004: 1, 2005: 1, 2008: 1, 2009: 2, 2010: 1, 2011: 4, 2012: 1, 2015: 2, 2016: 2, 2022: 1, year unknown: 11
Main labels/studios: EP (4)

Filmography / notable works

Category	Title
Notable Work	Ware ra Seishun!
Notable Work	Shogun (SHŌGUN)
Notable Work	The Inugami Family

4. Links

Wikipedia (Japanese)https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%B3%B6%E7%94%B0%E9%99%BD%E5%AD%90
Wikidatahttps://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q271854

5. About this entry

Frequently asked questions

When was Yōko Shimada born?

Yōko Shimada was born on May 17, 1953.

When did Yōko Shimada die?

Yōko Shimada died on July 25, 2022, aged 69.

Where was Yōko Shimada from?

Yōko Shimada was from Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan.

What did Yōko Shimada do?

Yōko Shimada worked as Actress, Film Actress, Adult Model, Nude Model.

How tall was Yōko Shimada?

Yōko Shimada was 171 cm tall.

What was Yōko Shimada's blood type?

Yōko Shimada's blood type was O.

When was Yōko Shimada active?

Yōko Shimada was active from 1970 to 2022.

What was Yōko Shimada known for?

Yōko Shimada's notable works include Ware ra Seishun!, Shogun (SHŌGUN), The Inugami Family.

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