Actors of the Showa era who performed countless iconic scenes. Introducing the legendary masters of the craft.
When it comes to actors of the Showa era, their presence and acting prowess have continued to move the hearts of many.
They evoke nostalgia for those who lived through the time, while offering fresh inspiration to younger generations—the legendary actors of Japan’s golden age of cinema.
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide array of uniquely talented Showa-era actors.
Please take a look at these masterful performers, whose profound acting and distinctive charm continue to captivate audiences even today.
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Actors of the Showa era who performed countless iconic scenes. Introducing the legendary stars (1–10)
Toshiyuki Nishida
Toshiyuki Nishida, whose unique acting and charming physique are his appeal, made his television actor debut in 1967.
The role of Zhu Bajie in the 1978 series Journey to the West perfectly matched his character.
In 1980, he played the father in the drama Ken-chan’s Dad Weighs 80 Kilos (Ikenaka Genta 80-kilo), another signature role that showcased his kindness.
As a singer, the show’s theme song, “Moshimo Piano ga Hiketanara” (If I Could Play the Piano), became a major hit.
In film, the Tsuribaka Nisshi series—familiar for the “Hama-chan and Su-san” duo with Rentaro Mikuni—was serialized into 20 installments over about 22 years, and can also be considered one of Nishida’s representative works.
Ken Takakura
When it comes to yakuza films of the 1960s, the one and only is Ken Takakura.
Although he made his acting debut, his subdued presence and low voice initially made him seem plain.
However, his taciturn demeanor and piercing gaze proved immensely powerful in yakuza roles, and he rose to prominence as Toei’s marquee star.
As a singer, too, the theme song from one of his starring films, “Karajishi Botan,” became a massive hit—it’s a karaoke staple for older dads, isn’t it? As for notable works after his yakuza-phase roles, there’s The Bullet Train, in which he reinvented his image by playing a character very different from his earlier roles, and The Yellow Handkerchief, a human drama directed by Yoji Yamada.
Makoto Fujita
Makoto Fujita became an instant star with his mischievous acting and ad-libs playing the protagonist “Ankake no Tokijiro” in Tenamonya Sandogasa, which began in 1962.
From this show came the famous catchphrase, “The reason I’m this strong is because of Atarimaeda Crackers!” His signature TV period drama series, Hissatsu (The Assassin), featured Fujita portraying a character with a dual nature, and it remains beloved by devoted fans to this day.
In the detective drama Hagure Keiji Junjō-ha, he played Detective Yasura, and Fujita’s warm, approachable performance made it a major hit.
Showa-era actors who performed countless iconic scenes. Introducing legendary actors (11–20)
Sayuri Yoshinaga
Sayuri Yoshinaga is one of Japan’s most iconic actors, admired for her pure, dignified beauty.
The 1963 release The Izu Dancer, starring Yoshinaga, remains one of her most beloved signature works.
She has also appeared in representative films such as Love and Death at the Edge of the World (Ai to Shi wo Mitsumete) and The Professor and His Beloved Equation (The Professor’s Beloved Equation).
In the 1984 film Ohan, she won her first Japan Academy Prize for Best Actress at the 8th Japan Academy Awards.
In 2025, she is to be awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon, an honor given to individuals who have made long-standing contributions across various fields, and she continues to be an actor cherished by the Japanese public.
Masako Natsume
When it comes to Japanese actors who were active in the late Showa era, Masako Natsume stands out.
In 1977, she was cast as the monk Tripitaka (Sanzo Hoshi) in the TV drama Journey to the West and shot to fame.
In the 1983 film The Wife of Time-ya, she played the lead, portraying a mysterious woman with a unique presence, and won the Excellent Leading Actress Award at the 7th Japan Academy Awards.
In 1985, she developed acute myelogenous leukemia and passed away at the young age of 27.
Beautiful and pure, Masako Natsume—an emblematic figure of the Showa era—continues to be loved through her body of work.
Yoko Yamamoto
Yoko Yamamoto, whose charm lies in her beauty and exceptional acting ability, was active from the Showa era through Reiwa.
After graduating from high school, she worked at a securities company, but entered the entertainment industry in 1963.
Her notable works include The Black Leather Notebook, which aired on TV Asahi.
She became popular for her transparent, radiant beauty and possessed the talent to fully embody any role.
She also appeared in NHK’s Taiga drama Kunitori Monogatari and TBS’s Shiroi Kassoro, among others.
Beyond television, she received high acclaim on stage, winning the Kazuo Kikuta Theater Award for the 1994 play Ohan.
Shima Iwashita
Shima Iwashita is a Japanese actress who was active from the Showa era into the Heisei era.
She made her television debut in 1958 in the NHK drama Backstreet of the Bus Route.
From around 1960, she flourished as a leading actress for Shochiku films, and in the film series Gokudo no Tsuma-tachi, which began in 1986, she powerfully portrayed the lives of women living in the yakuza world.
The series became one of her signature works, along with the line, “If you underestimate me, you’ll regret it!” Iwashita’s appeal lies in her ability to play women who possess both dignified beauty and inner strength.
She also appeared in Hagure Keiji Junjō-ha and Doctor-X: Surgeon Michiko Daimon, and in 2012 she was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette.