Hairi Katagiri

2.1. Early Life and Birthplace

Hairi Katagiri was born Yumi Katagiri on January 18, 1963, in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan.

2.2. Education

Katagiri attended Ōta Ward Sannō Elementary School before progressing to Kōran Girls' Junior & Senior High School. During her time in high school, she made her theatrical debut in "Futago Seiza" (Twin Constellations), a play written and scripted by her classmate, the future author Naoko Uehashi, which was performed by volunteers at a cultural festival. She continued her academic pursuits at Seikei University, graduating from the Department of Japanese Literature within the Faculty of Literature. While at university, she met and befriended Amari Hayashi, who would later become a renowned tanka poet and lyricist, through their involvement in the university's drama club.

2.3. Early Career Beginnings

After graduating from university, Katagiri took a part-time job as a ticket-taker at the Ginza Bunka Gekijo, a movie theater. Concurrently, she joined "Buriki no Jishudan" (Tin Self-Help Group), a theater troupe founded in 1981 by Man Ikuta and Ginpuncho. Despite her deep love for cinema and a desire to be involved in any aspect of the film industry, Katagiri initially viewed acting as a path reserved for a select few. However, a personal inclination to try acting at least once led her to pursue the profession. Her distinctive stage name, "Hairi," is derived from the protagonist of the popular Japanese animated television series, "Heidi, Girl of the Alps." She remained with "Buriki no Jishudan" until her departure from the troupe in 1994.

3.1. Filmography

3.2. Television Dramas

Katagiri has a prolific career in television, appearing in dramas across various Japanese broadcasting networks.

3.3. Stage Performances

Katagiri has a notable presence in the theater, participating in various stage productions.

• Fukasawa-ban: Tanuki Goten
• Cyrano de Bergerac
• The Brothers Karamazov
• Vanities
• The Ventures no Yoru
• Machine Nikki
• Drive-in California
• Aoki-san Chi no Okusan
• Showa Kayō Daizenshū
• Kirei: Kamisama to Machiawase Shita Onna
• Waiting for Godot
• Otome no Inori
• Ningen Gohasan
• Todoroki VS Minato Kaoru
• Lear (Asia 6-country collaboration)
• Jari (2007)
• Gaku Ojisan
• Onodera no Otōto, Onodera no Ane (2013)
• Shufu Yoneda Tokie no Men'eki-ryoku ga Up Suru Conte 6-Hon (2024)

3.4. Web Dramas

Katagiri has also taken on roles in web-based drama series.

• Grauen no Torikago
• Côte d'Azur N°10 (Episode 6: "Aru Bukken", 2017) - Keiko Minato
• Kisetsu no Nai Machi (2023) - Kuniko
• 1122 Ii Fufu (Scheduled for streaming June 14, 2024) - Chiropractic Clinic Director

3.5. Radio Appearances

Her work extends to radio dramas and other programs.

• NHK-FM FM Theater: "Suwaru Otoko" (November 16, 2002, produced by NHK Nagoya)
• NHK-FM Okada Yoshikazu Koyoi, Rock Bar de: Drama na Hitobito no Ongaku Danwa (Episode 219, December 24, 2016)
• NHK-FM FM Theater: "100-en no Shin Sekai" (June 3, 2017, produced by NHK Nagoya)

3.6. Information Variety Shows

Katagiri has also appeared in informational and variety programs.

• Asaichi: "Premium Talk: Hairi Katagiri - Relaxing Your Way of Life" (October 14, 2022, NHK General)

4.1. Commercial Appearances (CM)

Katagiri has been featured in various television and print advertisements, notably gaining attention as a commercial character for SEED contact lenses alongside Yuko Moriyama.

• SEED Contact Lenses
• Kirin Brewery
• DUSKIN Mister Donut
• Sky PerfecTV! "Antenna Installation 0 Yen" Campaign
• Nagoya Word Processor Academy
• Oyatsu Company Baby Star Ramen Chō Wide Men
• Mizkan Omusubi Yama Sekihan Fumi ("Park" commercial, August-September 2008)
• The Pokémon Company Pokémon Card Game BW
• Meiji Yasuda Life "Shiawase Cafe" commercial (2013, co-starred with Kyoko Koizumi)

4.2. Volunteer Work

Hairi Katagiri is deeply committed to volunteer work, particularly at her local cinema, Kinema Ōmori. She continues to work as a ticket-taker there, an activity she describes as "repaying kindness to cinema," and has expressed her intention to continue this work for as long as she lives.

5.1. Books

Katagiri has published several books, some of which have received critical acclaim.

• Watashi no Matoka (わたしのマトカ^Japanese, Gentosha, March 2006)
• Guatemala no Otōto (グアテマラの弟^Japanese, Gentosha, June 2007)
• Mogiri yo Konya mo Arigatou (もぎりよ今夜も有難う^Japanese, Kinema Junpo-sha, July 2010)
  • This book is a compilation of her serialized writings in Kinema Junpo magazine.

6.1. Literary Awards

For her book Mogiri yo Konya mo Arigatou, which compiles her essays from Kinema Junpo, Katagiri was honored with the Reader's Award at the 82nd Kinema Junpo Best Ten awards.

7.1. Family and Relationships

Hairi Katagiri is currently single. She has a brother who resides in Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala, where he operates a Spanish language school catering to Japanese students. Katagiri stands at 68 in ^{(172 cm)} tall and has a B blood type.