Itsumi Osawa

2.1. Birth, Education, and Family

Itsumi Osawa was born on March 23, 1966, in Shiroishi-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. Her blood type is A. She attended Sapporo City Hokuo Junior High School and Hokkaido Kitahiroshima High School before enrolling in Meiji University Attached Nakano High School (evening division), though she later withdrew. When Osawa was 25 years old, her father suddenly passed away from cancer. Following this tragedy, she invited her mother to live with her in Tokyo, beginning a cohabitation period. Shortly thereafter, her mother developed severe illnesses, leading Osawa to become her primary caregiver from her late twenties while also managing her entertainment career. This intensive caregiving responsibility continued for approximately 11 years, with her mother eventually passing away in 2002. During the last two years of her mother's life, caregiving became the central focus of Osawa's life, leading her to decline local filming assignments and temporarily step back from her entertainment work.

3.1. Discovery and Idol Debut

In 1982, Itsumi Osawa won the Grand Prix at the 7th HoriPro Talent Scout Caravan, a prestigious competition aimed at discovering new talent in Japan. During the competition, she performed Momoe Yamaguchi's song "Otomeza Miyagi." The following year, in 1983, she made her debut as a new type of idol singer under Teichiku Entertainment (Teichiku Records) with her first single, "A Girl like James Dean" (ジェームス・ディーンみたいな女の子_{Jēmuzu Dīn mitai na onna no ko}^Japanese). Her catchphrase at the time was "Good Girl It's Me!". Initially, her boyish hairstyle was a significant selling point, and due to her height (stated as 66 in ^{(168 cm)} at debut, later 67 in ^{(170 cm)}), she was marketed with a neutral image, sometimes even described as "like a beautiful woman in male attire." Some media outlets even referred to her as "post-Momoe," in reference to the influential idol Momoe Yamaguchi. However, Itsumi Osawa was part of a cohort of singers who debuted in 1983, including Yasuko Kuwata, Yumi Morio, Akiko Matsumoto, Junko Tokumaru, Chie Kobayashi, The Good-Bye, Sayuri Iwai, Maiko Ito, Mayumi Hara, and Kumiko Takeda. As few of these artists achieved significant commercial success, the group was often dubbed the "unsuccessful Class of '83."

3.2. Discography

Itsumi Osawa's discography includes a series of singles, original albums, and best-of collections, alongside several tie-up songs for television and commercials.

3.3. Music Awards

Itsumi Osawa received several accolades for her musical performances early in her career, primarily in newcomer categories.

• 2nd Megalopolis Song Festival, Most Excellent Newcomer Diamond Award
• 8th Nippon Television Music Festival, Newcomer Award
• 9th You Choose All Japan Song Festival, Excellent Newcomer Award
• 16th Shinjuku Music Festival, Silver Award
• 10th FNS Music Festival, Rookie Award
• 14th Japan Music Awards, Newcomer Award
• 25th Japan Record Awards, Newcomer Award

4.1. Television

Itsumi Osawa has appeared in numerous television dramas, both as part of continuous series and in single-episode roles.

Continuous Series

• Bokutachi no Shissō (1984, TBS) as Taeko Kazama
• Tokusō Sai Zensen (1985), Episode 423 "48 Hours of Prison Break - The Woman with a Light Blue Umbrella!"
• Getsuyō Drama Series: Kimi no Shiranai Tokoro de Sekai wa Ugoku (1986, NHK)
• Hanasake Hanako (1986, NTV)
• Non Neechan 200W (NTV)
• Jump Up! Seishun (1986, NTV)
• Mito Komon (TBS / C.A.L)
  • Part 16, Episode 26 "The Seven Transformations of the Wild Princess -Kameoka-" (October 20, 1986) as Tsuruhime
  • Part 18, Episode 28 "The Female Pickpocket Who Stole the Inrō -Shimizu-" (March 27, 1989) as Okayo Hayabusa
  • Part 20, Episode 41 "Horse Racing to Scatter Evil -Hachinohe-" (August 19, 1991) as Sayuri
  • Part 23, Episode 25 "Grudge! Bakeneko Disturbance -Saga-" (January 30, 1995) as Shino Morita
• Daitokai 25-ji (1987, TV Asahi), Episode 22 "The Targeted Policewoman"
• Edo o Kiru VII (1987, TBS / C.A.L) as Osuzu
• Jungle / NEW Jungle (1987-1988, NTV) as Detective Mika Mizuhara
• Abarenbō Shōgun III (1988, TV Asahi), Episode 43 "The Fulfillment of a Vow, Hanjiro's Life" as Koyuki
• Hadaka no Taishō (1989, KTV / Tohsaka Kikaku), Episode 31 "The Hill Where Geta Clog Sounds Echo" as Kuniko Sasaki
• Tonderu! Hiraga Gennai (1989, TBS / C.A.L) as Osuzu
• Meibugyō Tōyama no Kinsan (1993, ANB / Toei), 5th Series, Episode 9 "The Female Investigator Disguised as a Bride" as Oshun Nagenawa
• Ai no Gekijō Asu Sagashi (TBS)
• Aoi Hitomi no Seiraifu (Fuji TV) as Yayoi Nakano
• Janus no Kagami (Fuji TV) as Ryoko Azuma, leader of the Beast Gang
• Danjo 7-nin Natsu Monogatari (1986, TBS) as Noriko Asakura
• Pro Golfer Reiko (1987-1988, Fuji TV) as Saeko Osaki
• Aitsu ga Trouble (Fuji TV)
• Wanpaku Tenshi (Kansai TV)
• Sasurai Keiji Ryojō-hen (TV Asahi) as Yūko Kogure
• Hagure Keiji Junjō-ha (TV Asahi)
• Yakusoku no Natsu (Tokai TV) as Yoko Nonomura
• Lullaby Keiji 93 (TV Asahi)
• HOTEL (TBS / Kondo Teruo Productions)
  • Season 3, Episode 4 "Is a Thief Staying Here?!" (1994) as Mayumi
  • Season 4, Episode 2 "Devil's Whisper?!" (1995) as Satomi
• Amigasa Jūbei (1997, TV Tokyo) as Oren
• Fujisawa Shūhei no Yōjinbō Nisshi (1997, TV Asahi), Episode 5 "The Targeted Woman" as Osaki (guest appearance)
• Kyoto Meikyu Annai 2 (2000, TV Asahi), Series 2, Episode 3 "The Woman Who Stole the Past! A Bride's Gown Soaked in Tears!!" as Yukiko Nozaki
• Kozure Ōkami (2003, TV Asahi / Toei), Series 2, Episode 2 "Itto in Critical Danger!! A Man and Woman Imprisoned by Beasts!!" as Orin
• Niji no Kanata (2004, MBS)
• Sū to Non Non (2005, CBC) as Toko Kaieda
• 14-sai no Haha (2006, NTV) as Rika Matsumoto
• Asakusa Fukumaru Ryokan (2007, TBS) as Haruko Murakoshi
• Uruwashiki Oni (April 2007, Tokai TV) as Tokiko Minazaki
• Hisho no Kagami (May 30, 2008, TV Tokyo) as Sadako Kawanami
• Kodai Shōjo Dog-chan (2009, MBS) as Yukari
• Kamen Rider W (2010, TV Asahi) as Makiko Katahira
• Taburakashi - Daikō Joyū-gyō Maki (June 14, 2012, Yomiuri TV), Episode 11 as Yukie Ueshima
• Keiji Yoshinaga Seiichi Namida no Jikenbo (November 8, 2013, TV Tokyo), Episode 5 as Mieko Shirakawa
• Sanbiki no Ossan 2: Seigi no Mikata, Futatabi!! (May 1, 2015, TV Tokyo), Episode 2 as a housewife with children
• Yamamoto Shūgorō Ninjō Jidaigeki (December 15, 2015, BS Japan), Episode 6 "Konchi Uma no Hi" as Ogen

Single-Episode Dramas

• Getsuyō Onna no Suspense: Mizuko Jizō wa Noroi no In'nen (TV Tokyo)
• Doyō Wide Gekijō (TV Asahi)
  • "Muta Keijikan Jiken File" as Aya Yamamoto
  • "Edogawa Ranpo no Bijo Series (Kitaōji Kin'ya version) 5: Kobe Rokkō - Maboroshi no Bijo, Edogawa Ranpo no Oshie to Tabi Suru Otoko" (1989) as Yayoi
  • "Hōigaku Kyōshitsu no Jiken File 4" (1996) as Mayumi Moriwaki
  • "Kenshi Asahina Yōko 4" (2006) as Kayo Sasaki
  • "Chōkōsō Hotel Woman vs Onna Guardman" (2007) as Kazuyo Suzuki
  • "Jiken 14" (October 23, 2010) as Tamiya (barber shop owner)
• Kayō Suspense Gekijō (NTV)
  • "Akuma wa Sasayaku"
  • "Kokyoto Mystery" (1994)
  • "Hakkotsu ga Aishita Otoko" (1997) as Naomi Kitano
• Shinshun Wide Jidaigeki (TV Tokyo)
  • Tenka no Fukushogun Mito Mitsukuni Tokugawa Gosanke no Gekitō (1992) as Tomoe Aisu
  • Chūshingura: Ketsudan no Toki (2003) as Oshima
• Onna to Ai to Mystery (TV Tokyo)
  • "Ōgon no Inu" (2001) as Kyoko Katahira
  • "Zeikan Kansakan: Imai Yōko"
  • "Kyoto Rikon Ryokō Satsujin Jiken"
  • "Kita Alps Sangaku Kyūjotai: Shimon Iki" (2007)
• Getsuyō Drama Special (TBS)
  • "Wafuku Designer Tantei 1" (1998) as Mihako Itsuki
  • "Manbiki G-Men Nikaidō Yuki 1" (1998) as Reika Akizuki
• Getsuyō Mystery Gekijō (TBS)
  • "Kenshikan Enatsu Fuyuko 6" (2001) as Atsuko Matsuda
• Getsuyō Golden (TBS)
  • "Tantei Samonji Susumu 12" (2008) as Naomi Takagi
  • "Keiji Shoot & Muko no Jiken Nisshi" (October 20, 2008) as Harue Itō
  • "Manbiki G-Men Nikaidō Yuki 18" (August 17, 2009) as Takako Kasuga
  • "Kariya Keibu Series 8: Kyoto Nishioji Dori Satsujin Jiken" (May 17, 2010) as Keiko Suzuki
• Mokuyō Golden Drama Chichi no Okurimono (Yomiuri TV)
• Kin'yō Entertainment (Fuji TV)
  • "Kyoto Joyū Series 3" (2001) as Reiko Nagisa
  • "Akai Reikyūsha 14" (2001) as Ikuyo Okajima
• Tokumei Kakarichō Tadano Hitoshi Special (TV Asahi)
• Koi no Karasawagi: Love Stories V "Kinsei kara Kita Onna" (October 10, 2008, NTV)
• Shūsen Kinen Drama Special: Kono Sekai no Katasumi ni (August 5, 2011, NTV)
• Doyō Drama Special: Shimei to Tamashii no Limit (Part 2) (November 12, 2011, NHK) as Hiroko Shimabara
• Kin'yō Prestage (Fuji TV)
  • "Shokatsu Keiji 8" (2013) as Masako Sonehara
• Kin'yō Premium (Fuji TV)
  • "Gekai Hatōmura Shūgorō 14" (2016) as Tamayo Shinohara

4.2. Film

Itsumi Osawa has appeared in a variety of feature films and original video productions.

• Keiji Monogatari 5: Yamabiko no Uta (1987, Toho / Kinema Junpo) as a Caddy
• Gokudō no Onnatachi: Akai Kizuna (1995, Toei)
• Fukushū no Teiō (1995, Cinema Paradise)
• Seraphim no Yoru (1996, Twins) as the lead role, Ryoko Kamijo
• Kairaku Satsujin Onna Sōsakan: Otori (1996, Nikkatsu)
• Restra Rimon: Shijō Saikyō no Kōmuin (1996, Creative Axza) as a Club Woman
• Shura ga Yuku 5: Hiroshima Daiichi Sensō (1997, Knack) as Yuko Kanjishi
• Fukushū: Unmei no Hōmonsha (1997, KSS) as Saeko Anjō
• Naniwa Kin'yūden Minami no Teiō 8: Sagishi Tsubushi (1997, KSS) as Mayumi Kitagawa
• Seiha (1999, Daiei Film) as Yoko Takamura
• Friends (2004, Rascal)
• Buta ga Ita Kyōshitsu (2008, Nikkatsu) as Nanoka Matsubara's mother
• Sadako 3D 2 (2013, Kadokawa Pictures) as Fumika Kamimura

4.3. Stage

Itsumi Osawa has also been active in theatrical productions, including both plays and musicals.

• Review Show (at Akasaka Cordon Bleu)
• Musical Shonan Monogatari (December 1993, Kamakura Performing Arts Center) as Susie
• Bishoku Club (November 1-24, 1995, Meitetsu Hall)
• Hanshichi Torimonocho (August 1998, Misonoza)
• Alibaba Sen'ichiya (1999, Art Sphere)
• Yumemiru, Onnatachi: Misako Konno Tokubetsu Kōen (September 1-24, 1999, Meitetsu Hall)
• Shinnosuke Ikehata - Goodbye Charlie (January 1999, January-March 2000)
• Yukinojo Henge - Makoto Matsui Hatsu Zacchō Kōen (April 2004, Meijiza)
• Family Musical Heidi, Girl of the Alps (July 20, 2009, Kinan Cultural Hall Main Hall) as Rottenmeier
  • Produced by Gekidan Tōshō, organized by Tanabe City Board of Education, funded by Wakayama Prefecture and Wakayama Prefecture Cultural Promotion Foundation
• GOKÛ (February 2016, AiiA 2.5 Theater Tokyo) as Rasetsu-nyo
• Delphinian War Chronicles Chapter 1 (January 2017, Tennozu Ginga Gekijo) as Karin
• King Lear 2024 (August 29 - September 2, 2024, Mitsukoshi Theater)

4.4. Variety, Information, and Radio

Itsumi Osawa has frequently appeared in various television and radio programs, showcasing her personality beyond acting and singing.

• The Las Vegas (Panelist, Yomiuri TV)
• Quiz Nan Demo Ichibankan (Panelist, Asahi Broadcasting Corporation TV)
• Omoshiro Quiz BOX (Panelist, NTV)
• Sore wa Himitsu desu!! (Panelist, NTV)
• 24 Hour Television "Love Saves the Earth": Ai wa Chikyū o Sukuu (Hokkaido regional personality for Sapporo TV)
• Morita Kazuyoshi Hour: Waratte Iitomo! (Early regular, Fuji TV)
• Star Dokkiri Maruhi Hōkoku (Reporter, Fuji TV)
• Floppy a! (Host, Kansai TV)
• Tamichan (Regular, TV Asahi)
• GINZA CASSETTE SONG (Regular, October 19, 2023 - March 30, 2024, BS-TBS)

Information Programs

• Furusato no Bunkasai: Waga Machi Sai Hakken - Ikiiki Kodomo Daisakusen (April 9, 1987, NHK General)
• Hirunō Present (1986-1989, NHK General)
• Tomato Club (August 10, 1990, NHK General)
• Seishun Video Message (October 10, 1991, NHK General)
• Chikyū Family (December 9, 1991, February 3, 1992, NHK General)
• Kurabete Mireba: Shokyū Skier vs Jōkyū Skier (January 23, 1993, NHK General)
• Hirudoki Nihon Rettō (September 23-26, 1996, NHK General)
• BS Special: Furusato Mankitsu - Nihon Yūyū kara Hagi - Rekishi o Kanjiru Machinami (September 4, 1997, NHK BS2)
• Rittai Namachūkei: Nihon Yūyū (1996, 1997, NHK BS2)
• Genki Ichiban Kenkō Dōjō: Anadoru Nakare! Imo no Kenkō Power - Wakasa o Tamotsu! Satsumaimo (September 2, 2003, NHK BS2)
• Namachūkei Furusato Ichiban! (2005-2008, NHK General)
• Kyō no Kenkō: Q&A Shikyu Gan Chiryō no Saizensen (September 28, 2007, NHK Educational)
• Fukushi Network: Kōkai Kaigo Hyakunin Isshu (February 25-26, 2009, NHK Educational)
• Seikatsu Hotto Morning (NHK General)
• The! Jōhō Tsū ("Talk Tsū" corner guest, NTV)
• Gogo wa Marumaru Omoiっきり TV (Female guest, NTV)
• Ii Tabi Yume Kibun (TV Tokyo)
• Doyō Special (TV Tokyo)
• Itsumi Osawa no Nonbīri Saturday (Ehime Asahi TV)
• Shizuoka Hatsu Soko Shiri (September 21, 2006, SBS)
• Sōgō Shinryō-i Doctor G: Haha ga Tabenai Kuchu mo Kikanai (July 11, 2014, NHK General)

Radio Programs

• Yamamoto Mineaki to Itsumi Osawa no Amenity Thirty (Radio Nippon)
• Seishun Adventure: Ōjo Astrea (May 11-22, 1992, NHK-FM)
• Miyazaki Yoshiko no Minna ga Hotto Kaigo Hoken (Guest, 2006, RCC Radio)
• Shinosuke Radio Rakugo DE Date (Guest, February 15, 2009, Bunka Hoso)
• Ikiiki LIFE: Kōrei Kaisha o Ima Kangaeru (Guest, November 23, 2009, Bunka Hoso)
• FM Theater: Sekai kara Neko ga Kieta nara (July 20, 2013, NHK-FM) as Mother

4.5. Commercials

Itsumi Osawa appeared in various commercial advertisements during her career.

• House Foods star-shaped snack "Yūwaku Hoshi" (1983-1984)
• House Foods "Wakame Ōfūmen" (1985) - co-starred with Jirō Sakagami

5.1. Personal Caregiving Journey

After her father's death when she was 25, Itsumi Osawa's mother moved in with her in Tokyo. Soon after, her mother's health deteriorated significantly, leading Osawa to begin caring for her in her late twenties. This intense caregiving period lasted for approximately 11 years. During this time, Osawa often had to balance her demanding entertainment career with her caregiving responsibilities. For instance, there were occasions when she would travel back to Tokyo from a stage performance in Nagoya solely to help her mother with bathing, then immediately return to Nagoya. The last two years before her mother's passing in 2002 were particularly centered on caregiving, causing Osawa to decline regional filming opportunities and temporarily step away from her professional work to dedicate herself fully to her mother's needs. This period was described by Osawa as a turning point in her acting career, noting that it was after her role as a heroine in the daytime drama "Yakusoku no Natsu" at age 26 that she felt she could finally "write 'actress' in her occupation column," indicating a deep immersion in her roles.

5.2. Public Activities and Publications on Caregiving

Following her mother's death, Itsumi Osawa actively shared her extensive caregiving experiences with the public. She authored a memoir titled Mom, I'm Sorry (お母さん、ごめんね_{Okāsan, gomenne}^Japanese), published in 2003, which detailed her journey and observations on Japan's healthcare system. In addition to writing, she has delivered numerous lectures across the country on the topic of "Involvement in Mother's Care," aiming to raise awareness about caregiving challenges and social issues. She also produced and supervised an online exchange site about elderly caregiving called "Kaigo no Mori Koen" (Caregiving Forest Park), which was active in the late 2000s.

6.1. Anniversary Events and Reunions

On August 23, 2012, Itsumi Osawa made a television appearance as a singer for the first time in approximately 20 years on NHK BS Premium's "J-POP Seishun no '80," broadcast on September 7. To commemorate her 35th debut anniversary, Osawa organized a live event titled "-不作と言われた私たち「お神セブンと申します」_{Fussaku to Iwareta Watashitachi 'Okami Sebun to Mōshimasu'}^Japanese-" (-We Who Were Called 'Unsuccessful': Introducing Ourselves as the 'God Seven'-) at the Ginza Hakuhinkan Theater in Tokyo on November 19-20, 2018. This event brought together six other idols who debuted in the same year: Yasuko Kuwata, Yumi Morio, Chie Kobayashi, Akiko Matsumoto, Junko Tokumaru, and Yuko Kimoto. Furthermore, for the 40th anniversary of the "Class of '83" idols, the "Okami Seven" reunited for performances at the Ginza Hakuhinkan Theater on September 29-30, 2023, with Junko Tokumaru participating via video.

7.1. Public Image and Critical Evaluation

Upon her debut, Itsumi Osawa was initially marketed with a distinctive boyish hairstyle and a neutral image, partly due to her relatively tall stature for an idol of her time. She was sometimes referred to as "post-Momoe," a reflection of the high expectations placed upon her following her Grand Prix win at the HoriPro Talent Scout Caravan. Despite her early promise, she was part of the "unsuccessful Class of '83," a term used for the cohort of idols who debuted in 1983 but generally struggled to achieve widespread commercial success. However, Osawa demonstrated resilience and versatility by expanding her career beyond singing into hosting and acting. Her role as the heroine in the daytime drama "Yakusoku no Natsu" at age 26 was a significant turning point, allowing her to truly immerse herself in acting and view herself as a professional actress. Her decision to release a nude photobook CAST in 1995 further marked a shift in her public persona. In her later career, her courageous sharing of her personal caregiving experiences, particularly through her book Mom, I'm Sorry and her public lectures, transformed her public image into that of a relatable and compassionate figure committed to social issues, earning her respect for her dedication and advocacy.

8.1. Books

• Mom, I'm Sorry (お母さん、ごめんね_{Okāsan, gomenne}^Japanese) (ASCII Communications, 2003)
• Serafimu no Yoru

8.2. Photobooks

• CAST Itsumi Osawa Photobook - Cast - (Photography by Mitsuru Mizutani, Bunkasha, November 30, 1995)