Etsuko Ichihara

1. Overview

Etsuko Ichihara (市原 悦子_{Ichihara Etsuko}^Japanese, January 24, 1936 - January 12, 2019) was a highly acclaimed Japanese actress and voice actress whose career spanned over six decades. Born in Chiba Prefecture, she made significant contributions to theatre, film, and television, becoming a beloved figure in Japanese popular culture. Ichihara was renowned for her distinctive voice, which famously narrated the long-running anime series Manga Nihon Mukashi Banashi, and for her iconic lead role in the mystery drama series Kaseifu wa Mita!. Her extensive filmography included over 100 films, earning her critical recognition such as the Japan Academy Prize for her performance in Black Rain. Beyond her artistic achievements, Ichihara was also known for her engagement in social causes, notably her anti-nuclear activism. Her legacy is marked by her versatile acting, unique vocal talent, and enduring impact on the Japanese entertainment industry.

2. Early Life and Education

Etsuko Ichihara was born on January 24, 1936, in Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Her father was a banker, and her mother was a former teacher. At the age of nine, she experienced the end of World War II while evacuated to Yotsukaido City. During her second year of junior high school, she transferred to Chiba City Suehiro Junior High School, where she joined the drama club. It was there that her teacher, Hiroshi Iwakami, introduced her to the joys of acting and nurtured her burgeoning passion for the performing arts. She continued her involvement in theatre at Chiba Prefectural Chiba First High School (now Chiba Prefectural Chiba High School), where she actively participated in the drama club. During this period, she performed in Teisuke Ito's play The Great Zelkova Tree in the Village and received an individual acting award at the prefectural competition, further solidifying her commitment to acting.

3. Career Beginnings

Despite having secured a job offer at Fuji Bank after high school graduation, Etsuko Ichihara's unwavering passion for theatre led her to pursue an acting career. In 1957, she joined the Haiyuza Theatre Company as a member of its 6th generation training class. Her 同期_dōki^Japanese (classmates) included notable actors such as Yosuke Kondo, Akio Miyabe, Atsuko Kawaguchi, Nobuyo Oyama, Yuriko Abe, Rokuro Abe, Kakuya Saeki, and Kiyoshi Yamamoto.

Ichihara made her professional debut with Haiyuza in the play Rikō na Oyomesan (The Clever Bride) in 1957. The same year, she received the Shingeki Newcomer Award from the magazine Shingeki, marking her early recognition in the theatre world. In 1959, her performance in Chidori earned her the Geijutsusai Encouragement Award, establishing her as a rising star within Haiyuza. Her talent continued to be recognized with the New Drama Acting Award in 1963 and the Golden Arrow Award for Newcomer in 1964, solidifying her reputation as a highly regarded actress in the Shingeki (new theatre) movement. She was known for her height of 63 in ^{(160 cm)}.

In 1961, she married Tetsuro Shioemi, a director and fellow Haiyuza trainee. Ichihara remained a member of the Haiyuza Theatre Company until October 1971, when she and her husband left the troupe. In 1972, they established Banshu Pro, and in April 1987, they founded Wonder Production Co., Ltd., with Shioemi serving as president.

4. Television Career

Etsuko Ichihara made significant contributions to Japanese television, starring in numerous dramas and becoming widely recognized for her distinctive narration work.

5. Film Career

Etsuko Ichihara had an extensive film career, appearing in over 100 films and earning significant critical acclaim for her performances.

6. Voice Acting and Narration

Beyond her extensive acting career, Etsuko Ichihara was highly regarded for her distinctive voice acting and narration work, particularly in animated productions and documentaries. Her most famous voice role was in the long-running anime series ''Manga Nihon Mukashi Banashi'', where she, alongside Fujio Tsuda, voiced nearly all the characters, creating a unique and memorable auditory experience for viewers.

Her notable voice acting roles in animated films include:

• Cyborg 009: Monster War (1967) as Helena.
• The Great Adventure of Horus, Prince of the Sun (1968) as Hilda.
• Chibikko Remi to Meiken Kapi (1970) as Barberan.
• Gon, the Little Fox (1985) as Mother Fox.
• Angel ga Tonda Hi (1996) as Hisako.
• Arashi no Yoru Ni (2005) as Mei's Grandmother.
• Ashita no Kibō: Kanashimi yo Arigatō - Takae Tsuneo Monogatari (2013) - Narrator.
• Your Name (2016) as Hitoha Miyamizu, the wise and traditional grandmother of Mitsuha.

She also lent her voice to dubbing foreign films, including:

• The Yearling (1946) as Jane Wyman (NHK General TV).
• La Strada (1954) as Giulietta Masina (NHK General TV).
• Kizuna as Nonna Mordyukova (NHK General TV).
• Mibōjin as Lea Massari (NHK General TV).
• Benji (1974) as Mary (Patsy Garrett) (NHK General TV).

Ichihara was also a prolific narrator for various television programs and documentaries, including:

• Drama 30 Kaze-tachi no Yuigon (CBC TV).
• SMAP×SMAP (Fuji TV).
• Sekai Fureai Machiaruki (NHK General TV).
• Kagai Jugyō Yōkoso Senpai (NHK General TV).
• Uta Moyō: Kokoro no Jōjōka (BS NTV).
• Hanamaru Market (TBS).
• Oyasumi Nippon Nemui ne! "Nippon Nemui Mukashibanashi" (NHK General TV).
• Oyasumi Nippon Petit (NHK General TV).

7. Stage Career

Etsuko Ichihara's career was deeply rooted in theatre, beginning with her affiliation with the Haiyuza Theatre Company and continuing with numerous significant stage performances throughout her life. She was praised by director Keita Asari, who cast her in plays like Andromache and Antigone, as "the greatest actress born from post-war Shingeki."

Her notable stage performances include:

• Rikō na Oyomesan (1957)
• Biwa Hōshi (1958)
• Chi no Hana (1958)
• Ai to Shi to no Tawamure (1959)
• Chidori (1959)
• Ikita Kokoro o (1959)
• Kyojin Densetsu (1960)
• The Good Person of Szechwan (1960)
• Dontakutei no Saigo (1962)
• The Threepenny Opera (1962)
• Ryū Sanjie (1963)
• Mono Mina Uta de Owaru (1963)
• Hamlet (1964)
• Tōkaidō Yotsuya Kaidan (1964)
• Nippon no Yūrei (1965)
• Taketori Monogatari (1965)
• Andromache (1966)
• Antigone (1967)
• Crevette Ten kara Mai Oriru (1967)
• A Doll's House (1968)
• Goi no Mama ni (1969)
• Jiyū Shōnen (1969)
• The Man Who Turned Into a Stick (1969)
• Shingeki Chūshingura (1970)
• Anata Jishin no Tame no Lesson (1970)
• Hanran Kyōsōkyoku (1971)
• Shin Kazoku (1971)
• The Trojan Women (1974)
• Ryū to Biwa (1975) - voice appearance
• Tsugaru Shamisen Nagarebushi (1976)
• Sensanya Okiku (1976)
• A Midsummer Night's Dream (1977)
• Kiku Sakura (1978)
• Chongare Okoma (1978)
• Chikamatsu Shinjū Monogatari (1979)
• Kiseki no Hito (1979)
• Genroku Minato Uta (1980)
• Sweeney Todd: Fleet Street no Kimyō na Tokoya (1981)
• Wings (1982)
• Nanboku Koi Monogatari: Hito wa Itoshiya (1982)
• Mibōjin (1983)
• Kinu to Iu Michizure (1985)
• Kūsō Kazoku (1989)
• Yuki ya Konkon (1987, 1991)
• Sono Otoko Zorba (1993)
• Waiting for Godot (1994)
• Ayashiki Mura no Tabibito (1998)
• Dear Liar (1998)
• Road Show (2001)
• Mecyabetsu ga Hoshī Mō Ichido Dake (2001, 2003)
• Kyōfūki (2004)
• Arashi no Yoru Ni (2004)
• Hikaru Hito (2005)
• Godiego 2007 Tokyo Shin Sōseiki (2007) - Queen
• Yurayura (2008)
• Akai Ringo (2010)

8. Other Media Appearances

Beyond her primary work in theatre, film, and television dramas, Etsuko Ichihara also made numerous appearances in other media formats, including radio, variety shows, and commercials.

In radio, she participated in:

• Hoero! (1962, Asahi Broadcasting Corporation Radio) - In-arena announcer
• Ashita e no Dengonban (2005-2007, Kitakyushu City Human Rights Awareness Center) - Monday 担当_tantō^Japanese (in charge)
• Ōsawa Yūri no Yūyū Wide "Ichihara Etsuko Kurashi Hyakkei" (2014-2016, TBS Radio) - Monday
• Terry Itō Notteke Radio (Nippon Broadcasting System) - Guest
• TOYOTA DRIVING TALK (Nippon Broadcasting System) - Guest
• Rōdoku Lucy Maud Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables (2014, NHK Radio 2)
• Seishun Adventure "Flower Life" (2015, NHK-FM)

Her appearances on variety shows included:

• Tetsuko no Heya (TV Asahi)
• Onna Hitori Tabi (TV Asahi)
• Asa da! Nama desu Tabi Salad (Asahi Broadcasting Corporation TV)
• Morita Kazuyoshi Hour: Waratte Iitomo! "Telephone Shocking" (Fuji TV)
• Lion no Gokigenyō (Fuji TV)
• BISTRO SMAP (Fuji TV)
• Sanma no Manma (Kansai TV)
• Hanamaru Market "Hanamaru Cafe" (TBS)
• Ichihara Etsuko no "Amazon Futatabi" Nanda Korya Tanken Kikō (2001, Fuji TV)
• Omoiっきりイイ!!テレビ (Nippon TV)
• Tōku e Ikitai (Yomiuri TV)
• Ichihara Etsuko: Sai Mura o Yuku ~ Jin'ai no Ishi Mikami Gotarō o Tazunete~ (Travel Channel)
• Sawako no Asa (Mainichi Broadcasting System/TBS)
• Studio Park Kara Konnichiwa (NHK General TV)
• Asaichi Premium Talk (NHK General TV)
• Tsurube no Kazoku ni Kanpai (NHK General TV) - Atsubetsu Town, Hokkaido

Ichihara was also featured in various commercials:

• Japan Distilled Spirits Association (White Liqueur, 1968)
• Iwatani Corporation (Marui Propane, 1978) - Narrator
• Oriental Curry (Nama no Curry) - Narrator (as mother)
• Ajinomoto (Haimy, 1980)
• Kobayashi Pharmaceutical (Anmerutsu Yokoyoko, Anmershin, 1981-1997)
• Advertising Council Japan (1982-1986) - collaboration with Manga Nihon Mukashi Banashi
• Taisho Pharmaceutical (Naron Jō)
• Asahi Matsu Shokuhin (1977-1984)
• Meibutsu Kamado - collaboration with Manga Nihon Mukashi Banashi
• KFC (1985)
• Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (1986)
• Noboribetsu Onsen Daiichi Takimotokan (1987) - Narrator
• Hakugen Earth (Parazol, 1988)
• Metabolic Diet Center (Genpi Tochūcha)
• DyDo Drinco (Enryūcha, 1998)
• Zenkoku Tokubetsu Joshi Rakuen Shien Katsudō Club
• Toyota Duet (1998-2002)
• Toyo Suisan (Hot Noodle)
• BRO (2002) - Narrator
• Morinaga & Company (Hi-Chew) - Narrator
• Yamadai (Teori Udon, 2005-) - Narrator
• Suntory (Hyakunencha, 2007)
• Tokyo Onrō (2011)
• AEON "Topvalu" "Ready Meal" (2012-) - Narrator
• Kao Corporation "Kurashi Hyakkei" (newspaper serialization) - later adapted into a radio program in 2014
• SoftBank Mobile "Shirato-ke Okayama-hen" (2015)

9. Awards and Recognition

Throughout her illustrious career, Etsuko Ichihara received numerous awards and honors for her significant contributions to Japanese performing arts.

Her major accolades include:

• Shingeki Newcomer Award** (1958) for Biwa Hōshi.
• 14th Geijutsusai Award, Drama Division, Geijutsusai Encouragement Award** (1959) for Haiyuza's Chidori.
• New Drama Acting Award** (1962) for The Threepenny Opera.
• 2nd Golden Arrow Award, Newcomer Award** (1964) for Hamlet.
• 9th Kinokuniya Theatre Award, Individual Award** (1975) for The Trojan Women.
• Tokyo Metropolitan Cultural Honor Award** (1986).
• 13th Japan Academy Prize, Best Supporting Actress Award** (1990) for Black Rain.
• 21st Japan Academy Prize, Excellent Supporting Actress Award** (1998) for The Eel.
• 6th Yomiuri Engeki Award, Excellent Actress Award** (1999) for Dear Liar at the New National Theatre, Tokyo.
• 28th Hoso Bunka Foundation Award, Program Division, Individual Field, Performer Award** (2002) for Nagasaki Burabura Bushi.
• 27th Yamaji Fumiko Actress Award** (2003) for Warabino Kō.
• 16th Yomiuri Engeki Award, Excellent Actress Award** (2009) for Theatre Planning Group THE Gazira's Yurayura.
• 20th Hashida Award, Special Award** (2012) for the Kaseifu wa Mita! series.

10. Personal Life

Etsuko Ichihara was married to Tetsuro Shioemi, a stage director and her classmate from the Haiyuza Theatre Company training program. They married in 1961 and were known as a devoted couple. Despite their strong bond, they were not blessed with children, as Ichihara experienced two miscarriages. Tetsuro Shioemi passed away in April 2014, after 53 years of marriage, which was a significant personal loss for Ichihara.

11. Social Activism and Advocacy

Etsuko Ichihara was also known for her engagement in social causes and public advocacy. Following the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident in 2011, she became a prominent voice in the anti-nuclear movement. She served as a caller for the "Emergency Action to Aim for Zero Nuclear Power on July 2," alongside other public figures such as Reiko Yukawa and Kie Negishi, demonstrating her commitment to societal issues beyond her acting career.

12. Health and Later Years

In her later years, Etsuko Ichihara faced several health challenges that impacted her career. In 2012, she underwent surgery for an S-shaped colon tumor, which led her to withdraw from the film Tokyo Family, directed by Yoji Yamada, before filming began. Her role was subsequently taken over by Kazuko Yoshiyuki.

On January 13, 2017, it was announced that she was taking a hiatus from work to receive treatment for autoimmune myelitis. While she initially aimed to return to work by May, her recovery was slow. On June 27, it was announced that she would return to narrate the NHK Taiga drama Saigōdon for the following year. However, on November 22, due to her continued poor health, she withdrew from the role, and Toshiyuki Nishida was chosen as her replacement.

Ichihara made a brief return to work on March 21, 2018, for the NHK program Oyasumi Nippon Nemui ne! (Good Night Japan, Sleep Well!), which was recorded on March 12. This marked her first work appearance in 17 months.

13. Death

Etsuko Ichihara died on January 12, 2019, at a hospital in Tokyo, just twelve days before her 83rd birthday. The cause of death was heart failure. She had been hospitalized in late December 2018 for appendicitis, where she received medication rather than surgery. Although her condition temporarily improved, allowing her to spend New Year's at home, she experienced a relapse and was re-hospitalized on January 5. Her passing was announced shortly after, at 1:31 PM on January 12. Notably, a broadcast of Oyasumi Nippon Nemui ne! aired in the early hours of January 13 (late on January 12) announced her hospitalization for appendicitis, but her death was not disclosed at that time.

14. Legacy and Critical Reception

Etsuko Ichihara left an indelible mark on the Japanese entertainment industry, earning widespread critical acclaim and influencing subsequent generations of actors. She was celebrated for her unique acting style, characterized by a deep understanding of human nature and an ability to portray complex characters with authenticity.

Atsuo Nakamura, a junior member of the Haiyuza Theatre Company when Ichihara was already a leading star, described her as a "gutsy actress" who would abandon her position for the sake of compelling theatre, especially during the "repertoire struggles" that led to a mass exodus from the company. This highlights her dedication to artistic integrity over personal status.

Her long-time manager, Katsuhiro Kumano, noted that Ichihara was a person "without desire," choosing roles based on her genuine interest rather than commercial appeal. She reportedly disliked home dramas and preferred mystery-oriented works. She also maintained a strict principle of not performing on stage what could be done on screen, famously declining an offer from Shochiku to create a stage version of Kaseifu wa Mita!.

Fellow actor Tatsuya Nakadai, a senior at Haiyuza, praised her voice as a "treasure of Japanese theatre." He emphasized her innate talent for vocal quality, stating that she possessed the power to project her voice across a 1500-seat theatre without a microphone, describing her as a truly magnificent individual.

Ichihara's personal preferences also offered insights into her artistic inclinations. She once stated her type of man was "dangerous" (referring to an enigmatic quality) and expressed a desire to play a "criminal" as an acting role.

Her impact extended beyond her performances; she was also the one who gave the stage name to comedian Toratama Nanbu, known for his work with Dachō Club and Dengeki Network.

15. Author and Published Works

Beyond her prolific acting career, Etsuko Ichihara was also an author, publishing several books that offered insights into her life, travels, and perspectives.

Her published works include:

• Ichihara Etsuko no Dai Amazon Kikō: Brazil 5000km no Tabi (Etsuko Ichihara's Grand Amazon Journey: A 5000km Trip in Brazil) (November 1997, Fuji Television Publishing)
• Hitorigoto (Monologue) (December 2000, Shunjusha)
  • Hitorigoto (New Edition) (July 2017, Shunjusha)
• Yamanba: Joyū Ichihara Etsuko 43-nin to Kataru (Mountain Hag: Actress Etsuko Ichihara Talks with 43 People) (September 2013, Shunjusha)
• Shiraga no Uta (Song of White Hair) (July 2017, Shunjusha)

She also released several musical recordings:

• "Neneshi na Tōdai" (Theme song for TBS TV drama Waga Haha wa Seibo Nari Ki)
• "Kāsan wa Aoi Sora" (Theme song for Omachidōsama)
• "Kitto Shiawase" (Theme song for TV drama Kaseifu wa Mita!)
• "Mikaeri Bijin" (Insert song for TV drama Kaseifu wa Mita!)