Satomi Oka (September 15, 1935 – April 24, 2024) was a Japanese actress. She made over 150 films in her career, including ''

Miyamoto Musashi , was a Japanese swordsman, strategist, artist, and writer who became renowned through stories of his unique double-bladed swordsmanship and undefeated record in his 62 duels. Miyamoto is considered a ''Kensei (honorary title), kensei'' (swo ...

'' and '' Akō Rōshi''.

Life and career

Oka was born in Takarazuka-Shi, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan on September 15, 1935. While attending Amagasaki High School in

Amagasaki 270px, Amagasaki Castle 270px, Aerial view of Amagasaki city center 270px, Amagasaki Station is an industrial city located in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 455,555 in 223,812 households, and a population de ...

, Japan, she was selected as Miss Cinderella in 1953 for a “Japan Cinderella Princess Contest” held by RKO Radio & Film Company in conjunction with ''

Mainichi Shinbun The is one of the major newspapers in Japan, published by In addition to the ''Mainichi Shimbun'', which is printed twice a day in several local editions, Mainichi also operates an English-language news website called , and publishes a bilin ...

''. Crowned as Miss Cinderella, Oka was invited to visit Hollywood and Disney Studios from March 20 to April 4, 1953. During her two-week visit, Oka was invited to visit and dine with actors such as

Ann Blyth Ann Blyth (born Anne Marie Blythe; August 16, 1928) is an American retired actress and singer. She began her career in radio as a child before transitioning to Broadway, where she appeared in Lillian Hellman, Lillian Hellman’s ''Watch on the R ...

and

Cary Grant Cary Grant (born Archibald Alec Leach; January 18, 1904November 29, 1986) was an English and American actor. Known for his blended British and American accent, debonair demeanor, lighthearted approach to acting, and sense of comic timing, he ...

. As this trip took place prior to the liberalization of foreign travel, it was then considered to be a valuable trip to Hollywood. After high school, Oka worked as an office secretary at RKO Radio & Film Company before being scouted by Toei Studios in 1955. Debuting the same year in ''Shinsengumi’s The Black Hooded Seer'', she quickly gained popularity and was referred to as Toei's "Princess" from the many roles she played as a heroine. Oka died on April 24, 2024, at the age of 88.

Selected filmography

* '' Dai-bosatsu tōge'' (1957) * '' Naked Sun'' (1958) * '' Akō Rōshi'' (赤穂浪士 Akō Rōshi) (1961) * ''

Bushido, Samurai Saga , also titled ''Bushido: The Cruel Code of the Samurai'' and ''Cruel Tale of Bushido'', is a 1963 Japanese drama and jidaigeki film directed by Tadashi Imai. It was entered into the 13th Berlin International Film Festival where it won the Gold ...

'' (1963)

References

External links

* 1935 births 2024 deaths Japanese film actresses {{Japan-film-actor-stub