Machiko Kyō

Biography

Machiko Kyō (京 マチ子, Kyō Machiko; March 25, 1924 – May 12, 2019) was a celebrated Japanese actress, predominantly active during the 1950s. She gained significant acclaim in her home country for her performances in two of the most distinguished Japanese films of the 20th century: Akira Kurosawa's "Rashōmon" and Kenji Mizoguchi's "Ugetsu."

Prior to her film career, Kyō trained as a dancer, making her film debut in 1949. Her breakthrough came the following year when she starred as the female lead in "Rashōmon," which catapulted her to international fame. Throughout her career, she appeared in numerous notable Japanese films, including "Ugetsu" (1953), "Street of Shame" (1956), "Gate of Hell" (1953) directed by Teinosuke Kinugasa, Kon Ichikawa's "Odd Obsession" (1959), Yasujirō Ozu's "Floating Weeds" (1959), and Hiroshi Teshigahara's "The Face of Another" (1966).

The only non-Japanese film in which Kyō appeared was "The Teahouse of the August Moon," where she played Lotus Blossom alongside Marlon Brando and Glenn Ford. In her later years, she continued to engage in traditional Japanese theatre under the guidance of producer Fukuko Ishii. Her last performance was in the NHK television drama series "Haregi Koko Ichiban" in 2000. Kyō earned a Golden Globe nomination for her role in "The Teahouse of the August Moon," marking a significant achievement for an Asian actress at the time, and received numerous accolades, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Japanese Academy.