Kinuyo Tanaka

Biography

Kinuyo Tanaka was a renowned Japanese actress and director born on November 29, 1909, in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture. She rose to stardom at 17 years old, starring in Heinosuke Gosho's "An Embarrassing Dream" in 1927, followed by leading roles in Yasujirō Ozu's "I Graduated, But..." and Japan's first talkie, "The Neighbor's Wife and Mine," in 1931. Tanaka collaborated with director Kenji Mizoguchi on 15 films, including "The Life of Oharu" and "Ugetsu," before going on to direct her own film, "Love Letter," in 1953.