Shizuko Kasagi
Encyclopedia
was a popular Japanese
jazz singer and actress.
Before World War II
, Shizuko was one of the stars of the Japan Girls Opera Company. During the ongoing Occupation of Japan, she became a mega star singing songs influenced by American jazz and boogie woogie. She appeared in the 1948 film Drunken Angel
directed by Akira Kurosawa
.
In 1957, Shizuko retired from singing and concentrated on her acting career. She died of ovarian cancer
in 1985, aged 70.
, released that same year.
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
jazz singer and actress.
Before World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Shizuko was one of the stars of the Japan Girls Opera Company. During the ongoing Occupation of Japan, she became a mega star singing songs influenced by American jazz and boogie woogie. She appeared in the 1948 film Drunken Angel
Drunken Angel
is a 1948 Japanese film directed by Akira Kurosawa. It is notable for being the first of sixteen film collaborations between director Kurosawa and actor Toshirō Mifune.- Plot :...
directed by Akira Kurosawa
Akira Kurosawa
was a Japanese film director, producer, screenwriter and editor. Regarded as one of the most important and influential filmmakers in the history of cinema, Kurosawa directed 30 filmsIn 1946, Kurosawa co-directed, with Hideo Sekigawa and Kajiro Yamamoto, the feature Those Who Make Tomorrow ;...
.
In 1957, Shizuko retired from singing and concentrated on her acting career. She died of ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer is a cancerous growth arising from the ovary. Symptoms are frequently very subtle early on and may include: bloating, pelvic pain, difficulty eating and frequent urination, and are easily confused with other illnesses....
in 1985, aged 70.
Films
- Drunken AngelDrunken Angelis a 1948 Japanese film directed by Akira Kurosawa. It is notable for being the first of sixteen film collaborations between director Kurosawa and actor Toshirō Mifune.- Plot :...
(Yoidore tenshi) (1948) - Hateshinaki jonetsu (1949)
- Ginza kankan musumeGinza kankan musumeis a 1949 black and white Japanese film directed by Koji Shima....
(銀座カンカン娘) (1949) - Endless DesireEndless Desireis a 1958 Japanese film by director Shohei Imamura. This was Imamura's third film as director. Imamura had wanted to film his own project, but Nikkatsu assigned him this light comedy instead....
(Hateshinaki yokubo) (1958) - Sukurappu shūdan (1968)
- Gendai yakuza: Shinjuku no yotamono (1970)
- Zubekō banchô: zange no neuchi mo nai (1971) (as Shiduko Kasagi)
- Kigeki: Onna ikitemasu (1971)
Discography
Various titles, the most notable being one titled "Jungle Boogie" (1948) that credits Kurosawa with lyrics, which she sings in Drunken AngelDrunken Angel
is a 1948 Japanese film directed by Akira Kurosawa. It is notable for being the first of sixteen film collaborations between director Kurosawa and actor Toshirō Mifune.- Plot :...
, released that same year.