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Chieko Baisho

ばいしょう ちえこ

Baisho Chieko

Aliases: チコちゃん / Chico-chan

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1941-06-29 （Nishi-Sugamo, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Toshima (birth) / Takinogawa, Kita-ku, Tokyo (raised) → Betsukai, Hokkaido (villa / affiliated)

Career

Occupations
Actress, Singer, Voice actress
Active Years
1954-2025
Affiliations
Shochiku Revue (SKD), Shochiku Co., Ltd.
Influenced By
Yoji Yamada, Kiyoshi Atsumi

Education

Takinogawa Dairoku Elementary School (Kita Ward, Tokyo)
Country: Japan
Kita Ward Momiji Junior High School (now Takinogawa Momiji Junior High School)
Country: Japan
Shochiku Music and Dance School
Period: 1957-1960
Year of Graduation: 1960
Country: Japan
Graduated top of class; joined Shochiku Revue (SKD) as 13th class

Awards

Japan Record Awards — New Artist Award
1963
Work: The Sun of Shitamachi
Organization: Japan Record Awards
Result: 受賞
Kinema Junpo — Actress Award
1971
Work: Family; Otoko wa Tsurai yo: Bōkyō-hen
Category: 女優賞
Organization: Kinema Junpo
Result: 受賞
Mainichi Film Awards — Best Actress (leading)
1971
Work: Family; Otoko wa Tsurai yo: Bōkyō-hen
Category: 主演女優賞
Organization: Mainichi Film Awards
Result: 受賞
Galaxy Awards
1974
Work: Television drama and singing (e.g. Haruka naru wagamachi, Onee-chan)
Organization: Galaxy Awards (Japan)
Result: 受賞
Blue Ribbon Awards — Best Supporting Actress
1976
Work: Otoko wa Tsurai yo: Torajiro Aiai-gasa
Category: 助演女優賞
Organization: Blue Ribbon Awards
Result: 受賞
Japan Academy Prize — Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
1981
Work: Haruka naru yama no yobigoe; Otoko wa Tsurai yo: Torajiro Hibiscus no Hana
Category: 最優秀主演女優賞
Organization: Japan Academy Prize
Result: 受賞
Mainichi Film Awards — Acting Award (Actress)
1981
Work: Haruka naru yama no yobigoe
Category: 女優演技賞
Organization: Mainichi Film Awards
Result: 受賞
Hochi Film Awards — Best Actress
1981
Work: Haruka naru yama no yobigoe
Category: 主演女優賞
Organization: Hochi Film Awards
Result: 受賞
Kinema Junpo — Best Actress
1982
Work: Station
Category: 主演女優賞
Organization: Kinema Junpo
Result: 受賞
Mainichi Film Awards — Acting Award (Actress)
1982
Work: Station
Category: 女優演技賞
Organization: Mainichi Film Awards
Result: 受賞
Tokyo Anime Award — Voice Acting Award
2005
Work: Howl's Moving Castle
Category: 声優賞
Organization: Tokyo Anime Award
Result: 受賞
Medal with Purple Ribbon
2005
Category: 叙勲
Organization: Cabinet Office, Government of Japan
Result: 受章
Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays
2013
Category: 叙勲
Organization: Cabinet Office, Government of Japan
Result: 受章
Japan Academy Prize — Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (Nom./Commended)
2021
Work: Otoko wa Tsurai yo: Okaeri Tora-san
Category: 優秀主演女優賞
Organization: Japan Academy Prize
Result: 受賞
TAMA Film Award — Best Actress
2022
Work: PLAN 75
Category: 最優秀女優賞
Organization: TAMA Film Awards
Result: 受賞
Nikkan Sports Film Awards — Ishihara Yujiro Award (Best Actress)
2022
Work: PLAN 75
Category: 主演女優賞
Organization: Nikkan Sports Film Awards
Result: 受賞
Yokohama Film Festival — Best Actress
2022
Work: PLAN 75
Category: 主演女優賞
Organization: Yokohama Film Festival
Result: 受賞
Japan Academy Prize — Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
2023
Work: PLAN 75
Category: 優秀主演女優賞
Organization: Japan Academy Prize
Result: 受賞
Blue Ribbon Awards — Best Actress
2023
Work: PLAN 75
Category: 主演女優賞
Organization: Blue Ribbon Awards
Result: 受賞
Udine Far East Film Festival — Golden Mulberry (Lifetime Achievement)
2023
Category: 生涯功労賞
Organization: Udine Far East Film Festival
Result: 受賞
Honorary Citizen of Katsushika Ward
2022
Organization: Katsushika City
Result: 授与

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Sun of Shitamachi

1963 Film / Song

Her debut song and starring film that made her widely known as an actress-singer with a down-to-earth image.

everyday lifehopemusic

Otoko wa Tsurai yo (It's Tough Being a Man) series

1969 Film series

Played Sakura, the sister of Torajiro, across the long-running popular film series and became an iconic figure.

familyhuman feelingnostalgia

The Call of the Distant Mountains

1980 Film

One of her leading roles; her powerful performance won several film awards and became one of her representative works.

family renewalhuman bonds

Howl's Moving Castle

2004 Animated feature (voice role)

Voiced the heroine Sophie in the Miyazaki film and sang the theme song 'The Promise of the World'.

fantasyself-transformation

PLAN 75

2022 Film

A provocative film about an aging society in which she starred; became a notable recent work dealing with social issues affecting the elderly.

aging societyethicshuman dignity

Bibliography

  • The Sun of Shitamachi (song/film, 1963)
  • Otoko wa Tsurai yo series (1969–2019)
  • Haruka naru yama no yobigoe (1980)
  • Howl's Moving Castle (voice role, 2004)
  • PLAN 75 (lead, 2022)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
down-to-earth, approachable expressionsoft, warm acting style
Recurring Motifs
familymaternal themesnostalgiaeveryday life of common people

Health

  • Breast cancer
    2001年（発覚） - 以降治療および経過観察
    Underwent surgery and treatment; subsequently became active in Pink Ribbon breast cancer awareness activities. Continued professional activities after recovery.

Legacy

An actress and singer who has had a long career mainly in Shochiku productions. Famous for the role of Sakura in the Otoko wa Tsurai yo series, she is acclaimed for both acting and singing. Recognized for cultural contributions with honors (Medal with Purple Ribbon, Order of the Rising Sun) and active in social causes such as Pink Ribbon activities.

Archives

  • NHK Archives (appearance records)
  • Shochiku Film Database

In Popular Culture

  • Her portrayal of Sakura in the Otoko wa Tsurai yo series has become one of Japan's iconic characters
  • The song/phrase 'The Sun of Shitamachi' became synonymous with Baisho

Quotes

  • I couldn't believe it for a while — the work was still moving as if the person were there, so I didn't want to watch.
    Source: Comment at the time of Kiyoshi Atsumi's death (from biography/appearance section) (1996)
  • I will continue to strive and improve.
    Source: Comment on receiving the Udine Far East Film Festival lifetime achievement award (2023)

Trivia

  • Her stage and given name is Chieko Baisho.
  • Nickname: 'Chico-chan'.
  • Second daughter in a family of five siblings; sister Setsuko Baisho and Mitsuko Baisho are also actresses; brothers include Akira Baisho and Tetsuo Baisho.
  • Alumna of the Shochiku Revue (SKD); graduated top of her class and joined the troupe.
  • Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001 and has taken part in Pink Ribbon awareness activities since.
  • Widely known for her role as Sakura in the Otoko wa Tsurai yo series.