Kayoko Shiraishi: Japanese Actress and Stage Performer

Kayoko Shiraishi (Japanese: 白石加代子) is a prominent Japanese actress born on December 9, 1941. Recognized for her versatile acting career spanning both film and television, she has appeared in numerous notable cinematic works and television drama series.

Kayoko Shiraishi portrait photograph — Kayoko Shiraishi

Film Career

Shiraishi has built a substantial filmography since the early 1970s, collaborating with various directors across diverse genres. Her cinematic credits include roles in Female Convict Scorpion Jailhouse 41 (1972), Kon Ichikawa's mystery film The Devil's Ballad (1977), Station to Heaven (1984), and Nobuhiko Obayashi's Hanagatami (2017). She has also contributed voice work, such as in Samurai Reincarnation (1981).

Television Appearances

In addition to her film work, Shiraishi has maintained a consistent presence in Japanese television dramas (dorama). Her television career includes appearances in long-running NHK asadora series such as Hiyokko (2017) and its sequel Hiyokko 2 (2019), as well as contemporary streaming projects including Netflix's The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House (2023) and House of Ninjas (2024).