From Takarazuka to the Silver Screen: Chikage Awashima

Introduction
When discussing the golden age of Showa-era cinema, one of the central figures was Chikage Awashima.

Starting as a star daughter role actress in the Takarazuka Revue, she remained at the forefront of her field for over 70 years, becoming a signature actress of post-war Japanese cinema and later excelling in television and theater.

Her acting, which combined not only beauty but also humor and elegance, captured the hearts of many.

In this article, we will introduce the life and achievements of Chikage Awashima, along with various anecdotes.

Early Life and the Takarazuka Revue Era
Chikage Awashima (real name: Keiko Nakagawa) was born in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, in 1924.

She grew up in Omori during her childhood and later moved to Kichijoji. After graduating from Seikei Girls' High School, she entered the Takarazuka Music and Dance School in 1939.

At Takarazuka, she gained popularity as a star daughter role actress and attracted attention as one of the "Three Crows of Tokyo."

Her stage name was derived from "Awaji Chidori," but because there was someone else with the same name, she changed it to "Chikage Awashima."

With a wide range of acting skills that included male roles, she is said to be one of the models for Osamu Tezuka's "Princess Knight."

During the war, she participated in comfort activities. After the war, while active as a top star, she retired in 1950 and decided to transition into the film industry.

Breakthrough in the Film Industry
The Shochiku Era
Her film debut was in 1950's "Tenya Wanya." It was a spectacular start, as she won the first Blue Ribbon Award for Best Actress for this work.

Following this, she played roles symbolizing post-war women in films such as "Early Summer," "Today's Clinic," and "Your Name," becoming a signature actress for Shochiku. In particular, in "Freedom School," she even coined the popular phrase "Tondemo Happun."

The Toho Era
After moving to Toho in 1955, she won the Best Actress award again for "Meoto Zenzai" with Hisaya Morishige. Thereafter, her charm as a comedienne blossomed in works like the "Ekimae" series and "As a Wife, As a Woman."

Her versatility in handling everything from serious roles to comedies can be said to have supported the diversification of post-war cinema.

Going Freelance and Television Dramas
After becoming a freelancer in 1956, Awashima was in high demand for films from various companies and television dramas.

From the 1960s onwards, she demonstrated her presence in works such as "Onihei Hankacho," "Hiusame," and various Taiga dramas. She appeared in a wide range of works, from contemporary dramas to period pieces and serialized television novels, remaining active until the age of 87. Her final work was the 2011 series "Wataru Seken wa Oni Bakari."

Awards and Social Contributions
In addition to film awards, she received honors indicating cultural contributions, such as the Medal with Purple Ribbon and the Order of the Precious Crown, Fourth Class.

As Honorary Vice President of the Japan Actors Union, she worked hard to improve the rights of actors. Furthermore, during the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, she established the "Fuji Club" to support the women's volleyball team, the "Oriental Witches." Her life was dedicated not only to acting but also to social contribution.

Later Years and Induction into the Takarazuka Hall of Fame
Remaining single throughout her life, Awashima cherished her interactions with juniors and colleagues. In her later years, she continued filming while battling pancreatic cancer, passing away in 2012 at the age of 87.

In 2014, she was inducted into the Takarazuka Revue Hall of Fame. This is a testament to the achievements she left behind in both Takarazuka and Japanese cinema.

Representative Works

• Films: "Tenya Wanya," "Early Summer," "An Inlet of Muddy Water," "Meoto Zenzai," "Hotarubi," "Children of Nagasaki," "Haru to no Tabi"

• Dramas: "Onihei Hankacho," "Haru yo, Koi," "Imo Tako Nankin," "Wataru Seken wa Oni Bakari"

Films
· Tenya Wanya (Original work: Bunroku Shishi, Director: Minoru Shibuya, 1950)
· Inochi Utsukushi (1951)
· Zenma (Director: Keisuke Kinoshita, 1951)
· Jiyu Gakko (Original work: Bunroku Shishi, Director: Minoru Shibuya, 1951. Shochiku version)
· Early Summer (Director: Yasujiro Ozu, 1951)
· Yoki na Wataridori (1952)
· Futatsu no Hana (1952)
· Honjitsu Kyushin (Original work: Masuji Ibuse, Director: Minoru Shibuya, 1952)
· Okei-chan to Kurama-sensei (1952)
· Tange Sazen Kushimaki Ofuji (August 14, 1952. Shochiku Kyoto)
· Musashi and Kojiro Yakumo Dayu, Teruyo (dual role) (October 15, 1952. Shochiku Kyoto)
· The Flavor of Green Tea over Rice (Director: Yasujiro Ozu, 1952)
· Nami (1952)
· Carmen Falls in Love (Director: Keisuke Kinoshita, 1952)
· What Is Your Name? (1953-1954)
· Hana no Shogai: Hikone-hen, Edo-hen (1953)
· In the Muddy River (Original work: Ichiyo Higuchi, Director: Tadashi Imai, 1953)
· Yassa Mossa (Original work: Bunroku Shishi, Director: Minoru Shibuya, 1953, Shochiku)
· Edo no Yubae (1954, Shochiku)
· Shinjitsu Ichiro (1954)
· Chushingura: Hana no Maki, Yuki no Maki (1954, Shochiku) - Ukihashi Dayu
· Taiyo wa Hibi ni Arata nari (Director: Yoshitaro Nomura, 1955)
· Kokoro ni Hana no Saku Hi made (Director: Shin Saburi, 1955)
· Meoto Zenzai (Original work: Sakunosuke Oda, Director: Shiro Toyoda, 1955)
· Onna no Issho (1955)
· Shuzenji Monogatari (1955)
· Ejima Ikushima (1955)
· Early Spring (Director: Yasujiro Ozu, 1956)
· Zangiku Monogatari (1956)
· Nihonbashi (Director: Kon Ichikawa, 1956)
· Shin Heike Monogatari: Shizuka to Yoshitsune (1956)
· Karada no Naka wo Kaze ga Fuku (1957)
· Yellow Crow (Winner of the 15th US Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film, 1957)
· Oban (Original work: Bunroku Shishi, 1957)
· Naruto Hicho (Director: Teinosuke Kinugasa, 1957)
· Kichigai Buraku (Director: Minoru Shibuya, 1957)
· Hotarubi (1958)
· Chushingura (Director: Kunio Watanabe, 1958)
· Ekimae Series
· Comedy: Ekimae Ryokan (1958)
· Comedy: Ekimae Danchi (1961)
· Comedy: Ekimae Bento (1961)
· Comedy: Ekimae Onsen (1962)
· Comedy: Ekimae Hanten (1962)
· Comedy: Ekimae Chagama (1963)
· Comedy: Ekimae Okami (1964)
· Comedy: Ekimae Kaidan (1964)
· Comedy: Ekimae Ondo (1964)
· Comedy: Ekimae Tenjin (1964)
· Comedy: Ekimae Iin (1965)
· Comedy: Ekimae Kinyu (1965)
· Comedy: Ekimae Daigaku (1965)
· Comedy: Ekimae Benten (1966)
· Comedy: Ekimae Banto (1966)
· Comedy: Ekimae Keiba (1966)
· Comedy: Ekimae Mankan (1967)
· Comedy: Ekimae Gakuen (1967)
· Comedy: Ekimae Tanken (1967)
· Comedy: Ekimae Hyakunen (1967)
· Comedy: Ekimae Kazan (1968)
· Summer Clouds (Director: Mikio Naruse, 1958)
· Nichiren and the Great Mongol Invasion (1958)
· An'ya Koro (Original work: Naoya Shiga, Director: Shiro Toyoda, 1959)
· Yuki no Jo Henge (Director: Masahiro Makino, 1959)
· Kashima Ari (Director: Yuzo Kawashima, 1959)
· The Human Condition Parts 1 & 2 (Venice International Film Festival San Giorgio Prize, Italian Critics Award winner, Director: Masaki Kobayashi, 1959)
· Chinpin-do Shujin (Original work: Masuji Ibuse, Director: Shiro Toyoda, 1960)
· Teki wa Honnoji ni Ari (1960)
· Akasaka no Shimai yori: Yoru no Hada (Director: Yuzo Kawashima, 1960)
· Sake to Onna to Yari (Director: Tomu Uchida, 1960)
· Shima no Sebiro no Oyabunshu (Director: Yuzo Kawashima, 1961)
· Mozu (1961)
· As a Wife, As a Woman (Director: Mikio Naruse, 1961)
· Kojin Koji (1961)
· Girls of the Night (Director: Kinuyo Tanaka, 1961)
· Kage (Original work: Shohei Ooka, Director: Yuzo Kawashima, 1961)
· Osho (1962)
· Kawa no Hotori de (1962)
· Muhomatsu no Issho (1963)
· Comedy: Tonkatsu Ichidai (Director: Yuzo Kawashima, 1963)
· Shin Meoto Zenzai (1963)
· Shiro to Kuro (1963)
· Daidokoro Taiheiki (Director: Shiro Toyoda, 1963)
· Mr. Giants: Shori no Hata (Director: Kozo Saeki, 1964)
· Robo no Ishi (Original work: Yuzo Yamamoto, Director: Miyoji Ieiri, 1964)
· Ooku Emaki (1968)
· Comedy: Hyakuten Manten (1976)
· Kono Ko wo Nokoshite (Director: Keisuke Kinoshita, 1983)
· Ikite wa Mita keredo Yasujiro Ozu Den (1983)
· Keshin (Director: Yoichi Higashi, 1986)
· Natsu no Niwa: The Friends (Director: Shinji Aoyama, 1994)
· GOING WEST (1997)
· Furusato (1999)
· Siberia Express 2 (2001)
· Siberia Express 5 (2004)
· A Night in the Great Blackout (2005)
· Haru to no Tabi (2010)

Chikage Awashima: Setaromu's top recommended work is 'Meoto Zenzai'

Summary
The charm of Chikage Awashima lies not only in her glamorous star quality, but also in her flexibility to color any role with her own unique touch. The stage sense she cultivated in Takarazuka, the acting skills she polished in post-war cinema, and her warmth as a person—all of these are etched into the memories of many.
What was the last Chikage Awashima work you watched? Please let us know in the comments. And why not take this opportunity to revisit her movies and dramas once more?