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Etsuko Egawa

えがわ えつこ

Egawa Etsuko

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture, Japan
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Tokushima City (birthplace) → Hollywood, United States → Chofu (Nikkatsu Studios), Tokyo area (base of operations)

Career

Occupations
Special makeup artist, Makeup artist, Special effects supervisor, Instructor/Advisor
Active Years
1979-
Affiliations
Make-up Dimensions (Representative), Nikkatsu Studios (base of operations), Tokyo Visual Arts (special adviser/instructor)
Influenced By
An American Werewolf in London (film), Make-up artist Rick Baker, Joe Blasco (makeup educator)

Education

Kyoto Women's University Junior College
Period: 〜1976
Year of Graduation: 1976
Country: Japan
Graduated from Kyoto Women's University Junior College; subsequently joined Bunka Publishing Bureau.
Joe Blasco Make-up Center (Hollywood, USA)
Special Make-up Program
Period: 1979
Year of Graduation: 1979
Country: United States
Received professional training in Hollywood; after graduating, worked as an assistant at film studios.

Awards

Art Encouragement Prize — Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award
2022
Category: 映画部門
Organization: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
Result: 受賞
NHK Broadcasting Culture Award
2023
Organization: NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation)
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Shiraisan

2020 Horror film

Served as special make-up supervisor, responsible for creature and special effects makeup and prosthetics.

special effects makeupcreature designfilm makeup

Nobutora

2021 Period drama

Supervised special make-up to depict actors' appearance changes, wounds, and aging appropriate to the historical setting.

historical representationaging makeupspecial effects sculpture

Tsuki (Moon)

2023 Drama

As special make-up supervisor, responsible for character appearance and special effects makeup.

character designemotional expressionspecial makeup

Kubi (Neck)

2023 Drama

Worked as special make-up and prosthetic supervisor.

special effects sculpturedirector collaboration

If Tokugawa Ieyasu Became Prime Minister

2024 Period/Comedy

In a what-if setting placing a historical figure in modern times, responsible for transformative makeup and character prosthetics.

historical vs moderntransformative makeupspecial makeup

Jimenshi-tachi (The Land Swindlers)

2024 Streaming drama

Served as special make-up and prosthetics supervisor on the streaming drama.

crime dramadisguisesprosthetics

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Realistic, visceral texturesBalance between subtlety and concealment to support actors' performanceUse of experimental materials and techniques
Recurring Motifs
transformationagingscars/woundsyokai/monsters

Legacy

Through international training and decades of on-set experience, she has contributed to the dissemination and transmission of cinematic special makeup techniques. Recipient of major honors such as the Art Encouragement Prize and NHK Broadcasting Culture Award, she is also active in educating the next generation.

Museums

  • Etsuko Egawa - The World of Special Makeup Exhibition (Sogo Tokushima) Sogo Tokushima (Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture, Japan) Opened in 2007

Academic Societies

  • Tokyo Visual Arts (special adviser)

In Popular Culture

  • Gained broad recognition through appearance on NHK's 'Professional' series
  • Special make-up featured on TV commercials and variety programs

Quotes

  • This is how to create a face that moves the soul
    Source: NHK 'Professional' episode (2009) (2009)

Trivia

  • After studying at the Joe Blasco Make-up Center in 1979, she participated in Hollywood projects.
  • Reportedly transformed more than 1,000 people into beasts, zombies, and yokai in her career.