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Photo of Sadako Sawamura

Sadako Sawamura

Acting 87 (deceased) years old Asakusa, Taito, Tokyo, Japan ★ 0.8
Born: November 11, 1908
Died: August 16, 1996

Biography

Sadako Sawamura (沢村貞子, Sawamura Sadako; 11 November 1908 – 16 August 1996) was a Japanese stage and film actress and essayist who appeared in more than 350 films between 1935 and 1976.

Sawamura was born in the Asakusa district of Tokyo. After dropping out of Japan Women's University, she was active in left-wing theatre groups and was twice arrested for her political beliefs, spending over a year in prison with much of it in solitary confinement. She started acting in films in 1934, first at the Nikkatsu studio, later at Toho. She appeared in many supporting roles after the war, often working with director Mikio Naruse. Sawamura also acted in films by directors including Kenji Mizoguchi, Yasujirō Ozu, Keisuke Kinoshita and Kaneto Shindō.

Her brothers were the actors Daisuke Katō and Kunitarō Sawamura. Her autobiography Watashi no Asakusa has been translated into English as My Asakusa. She was married three times: to actor Shigeo Imamura (1931-33), actor Kamatari Fujiwara (1936-46) and subsequently to film magazine editor and critic Yasuhiko Ohashi (1968-96, though domestic partners from 1946 onward).

Filmography

Acting Credits (243)

365日の献立日記
365日の献立日記 献立 2019
When Winter Comes
When Winter Comes 1985
Daikazoku
Daikazoku 1984
Hikarugake
Hikarugake 1977
Japan Beauty Story: A Woman Among Women
Japan Beauty Story: A Woman Among Women 1975
おれの義姉さん
おれの義姉さん 1970
The Street Car Game
The Street Car Game Deguchi Ume 1969
Waga koi waga uta
Waga koi waga uta 1969
My Brother, My Love
My Brother, My Love Kayo Kitagawa 1968
Rose Buds in the Rainbow
Rose Buds in the Rainbow Setsuko Sasaki 1968
The Young Eagles of the Kamikaze
The Young Eagles of the Kamikaze 1968
Nunnery Confidential
Nunnery Confidential 1968
Thoroughbred Women Gamblers
Thoroughbred Women Gamblers 1967
The Rickshaw Man’s Son
The Rickshaw Man’s Son Taki 1967
Swift Current
Swift Current 1967
Flower Cards Chivalry
Flower Cards Chivalry 1967
Sayonara ressha
Sayonara ressha 1966
Once a Rainy Day
Once a Rainy Day 1966
The Kii River
The Kii River Ichi, housekeeper 1966
A Sky Full of Tears
A Sky Full of Tears Kikue Sugisaki 1966
Bad Reputation: Cherry Blossoms
Bad Reputation: Cherry Blossoms 1966
Night Bitch
Night Bitch Matsu Komazaki 1966
The Passionate Spinster
The Passionate Spinster Riki Tonobe 1965
Snow Country
Snow Country Dance teacher 1965
That Cute Girl
That Cute Girl 1965
Love on the Rainbow
Love on the Rainbow Masako Yamashita 1965
Salaryman's Medal
Salaryman's Medal 1965
Nami kage
Nami kage 1965
A Fugitive from the Past
A Fugitive from the Past Motojima's Wife 1965
Eddy Currents of Life
Eddy Currents of Life Teacher Ikegami 1964
Whirlpool of Flesh
Whirlpool of Flesh Tomiko Sekiguchi 1964
Sweet Sweat
Sweet Sweat Matsuko 1964
Taiyou wo Daku Onna
Taiyou wo Daku Onna 1964
I'm a Bodyguard
I'm a Bodyguard 1964
A Story from Echigo
A Story from Echigo 1964
Youth Season Continued
Youth Season Continued Sawamura Sawako (Restaurant "Sawamura" proprietress and Keiko's older sister) 1964
Night Scandal in Japan
Night Scandal in Japan Tetsu Kawabe 1964
Mr. Giant's Victory Flag
Mr. Giant's Victory Flag 1964
Miren
Miren Hostess at 'Mitsuda' 1963
At the Side of the Bridge 4
At the Side of the Bridge 4 1963
Double Wedding
Double Wedding Shigeko 1963
Tale of Army Brutality
Tale of Army Brutality Toki, Yahichi's mother 1963
The Life of Rikisha-Man
The Life of Rikisha-Man 1963
Dokuritsu bijin-tai
Dokuritsu bijin-tai 1963
Crazy Operation: First Move
Crazy Operation: First Move 1963
Police Precinct: Backing Investigation
Police Precinct: Backing Investigation 1963
At the Side of the Bridge 3
At the Side of the Bridge 3 1963
A Comedy in Front of the Station: Chinese Restaurant
A Comedy in Front of the Station: Chinese Restaurant 1962
Naite waratta hanayome
Naite waratta hanayome 1962
Curry Rice
Curry Rice 1962
Born in Sin
Born in Sin 1962
Chûshingura
Chûshingura 1962
Zoku aizen katsura
Zoku aizen katsura 1962
Youth Season
Youth Season 1962
At the Side of the Bridge 2
At the Side of the Bridge 2 1962
Ganko Oyaji to Edokko Shain
Ganko Oyaji to Edokko Shain 1962
Kyūjin ryokō
Kyūjin ryokō 1962
A Comedy in Front of the Station: Onsen
A Comedy in Front of the Station: Onsen 1962
Glory on the Summit
Glory on the Summit 1962
Star of Hong Kong
Star of Hong Kong Sugimoto Natsuko 1962
At the Side of the Bridge
At the Side of the Bridge 1962
Four Sisters
Four Sisters Makiko 1962
Pig and Goldfish
Pig and Goldfish 1962
Ottamage ningyo monogatari
Ottamage ningyo monogatari 1962
Flower in a Storm
Flower in a Storm 1962
Lady Sen and Hideyori
Lady Sen and Hideyori Yodogimi 1962
Our Marriage
Our Marriage Mother 1962
湖愁
湖愁 1962
The Prickly Mouthed Geisha and the Girl of Osaka
The Prickly Mouthed Geisha and the Girl of Osaka Otake 1962
In Search of Mother
In Search of Mother Otora 1962
South Pacific Waves Are High
South Pacific Waves Are High 1962
A Roaring Trade
A Roaring Trade 1962
Nippon no obaachan
Nippon no obaachan 1962
Wakai yatsura no kaidan
Wakai yatsura no kaidan 1961
The Catch
The Catch Katsu 1961
Boss Takes to the Road
Boss Takes to the Road Kimie Morikawa 1961
Girls of the Night
Girls of the Night Kitamura 1961
Toilet Manager
Toilet Manager 1961
Awamori-kun uridasu
Awamori-kun uridasu 1961
The Estuary
The Estuary 1961
Hikkoshi yatsure
Hikkoshi yatsure 1961
Door of Flowers
Door of Flowers 1961
Triangle Moods
Triangle Moods Kame 1961
Romance Express
Romance Express 1961
Zero Focus
Zero Focus Mrs. Sotaro Uhara 1961
Women of Tokyo
Women of Tokyo Yuki Takeuchi 1961
Mahiru no wana
Mahiru no wana Kikuyo 1960
Late Autumn
Late Autumn Fumiko 1960
Ponkotsu
Ponkotsu 1960
Towering Waves
Towering Waves Mrs. Tazawa 1960
Dare yori mo kimi o aisu
Dare yori mo kimi o aisu 1960
Jiyūgaoka fujin
Jiyūgaoka fujin 1960
Hero of the Red Light District
Hero of the Red Light District 1960
Youth in Fury
Youth in Fury Aki Katsura 1960
New Third Class Executive: Husband Education
New Third Class Executive: Husband Education Kaneko Tsujikura 1960
The Dangerous Kiss
The Dangerous Kiss 1960
Police Precinct Part 13
Police Precinct Part 13 Madam next to Hikariso 1960
Police Precinct Part 13
Police Precinct Part 13 1960
Salaryman Idea Book: Concern for Success
Salaryman Idea Book: Concern for Success Okane 1960
Storm on the Silvery Peaks
Storm on the Silvery Peaks Kiyo 1960
Salaryman Idea Book: Man of Worrisome Episodes
Salaryman Idea Book: Man of Worrisome Episodes Okane 1960
Hito mo arukeba
Hito mo arukeba Kin Narikin 1960
Beyond the Hills
Beyond the Hills Oiku Wada 1960
The Wandering Princess
The Wandering Princess Kazuko Sugawara 1960
When a Woman Ascends the Stairs
When a Woman Ascends the Stairs Toshiko 1960
Pineapple Butai
Pineapple Butai Omine 1959
The Terrible Game
The Terrible Game Yabuki Toyo 1959
The Human Wall
The Human Wall 1959
Young Lovers
Young Lovers Ayako Nozaki 1959
Ripe and Marriageable
Ripe and Marriageable Mrs. Nakazato 1959
Someday I'll Know
Someday I'll Know Fusako Kaneko 1959
Koko ni otoko ari
Koko ni otoko ari 1959
The Cast-Off
The Cast-Off Fumiko 1959
Good Morning
Good Morning Kayoko Fukui 1959
Souls in the Moonlight III
Souls in the Moonlight III 1959
Whistling in the morning
Whistling in the morning 1959
Police Precinct: The Woman Without A Face
Police Precinct: The Woman Without A Face 1959
Echo Mountain
Echo Mountain Takako Hirasawa 1959
People Waiting for Spring
People Waiting for Spring Chiyo Tsukagoshi 1959
One Step to Happiness
One Step to Happiness 1958
The Naked General
The Naked General 1958
Bright Young Maidens
Bright Young Maidens Chie Shibata, Sumiko's Mother 1958
Beyond the Seasonal Wind
Beyond the Seasonal Wind 1958
Little Peach
Little Peach 1958
Fearless Opposition
Fearless Opposition 1958
Romance Freestyle
Romance Freestyle 1958
Souls in the Moonlight II
Souls in the Moonlight II Otsuno 1958
Firefly Light
Firefly Light 1958
直八子供旅
直八子供旅 1958
Hibi no haishin
Hibi no haishin 1958
Shinkon nanatsu no tanoshimi
Shinkon nanatsu no tanoshimi 1958
No Advice Taken
No Advice Taken 1958
The Adorable Trio
The Adorable Trio Sadako Kamiya 1957
Zokuzoku Ôban: Dotô hen
Zokuzoku Ôban: Dotô hen Tane 1957
The Blue Sky Maiden
The Blue Sky Maiden Tatsuko Ono 1957
The Beauty Expert
The Beauty Expert 1957
Zoku Ôban: Fûun hen
Zoku Ôban: Fûun hen Tane 1957
When It Rains, It Pours
When It Rains, It Pours Tane Abe 1957
The Betrothed
The Betrothed 1957
Untamed Woman
Untamed Woman Oshima's aunt 1957
Morning Whistling
Morning Whistling 1957
Ôban
Ôban Tane, Ushinosuke's Mother 1957
Young Lovers
Young Lovers 1957
The Rose on His Arm
The Rose on His Arm Akiyama's mother 1956
Love on Rainbow Island
Love on Rainbow Island Omatsu Hayashi 1956
Bridge of Japan
Bridge of Japan 1956
Cascading White Threads
Cascading White Threads 1956
Gendai no yokubô
Gendai no yokubô 1956
Midori naru hito: kōhen ai no honryū
Midori naru hito: kōhen ai no honryū 1956
Midori naru hito: zenpen wakare no yogisha
Midori naru hito: zenpen wakare no yogisha 1956
A Wife's Heart
A Wife's Heart 1956
The Lady Was Pawn
The Lady Was Pawn 1956
Three Youngmen and a Dream Girl
Three Youngmen and a Dream Girl Taniyama’s Mother 1956
Avalanche
Avalanche 1956
The President Talks Bank
The President Talks Bank 1956
Street of Shame
Street of Shame Tatsuko Taya 1956
Young Tree
Young Tree Kuniko's mother (uncredited) 1956
The President's Boss
The President's Boss 1956
So Young, So Bright
So Young, So Bright 1955
Iroha Elegy
Iroha Elegy 1955
Ejima and Ikushima
Ejima and Ikushima 玉椿 1955
The Romance of Yushima
The Romance of Yushima 1955
Santōshain to onna hisho
Santōshain to onna hisho 1955
Next Door to Happiness
Next Door to Happiness 1955
Mother's Ambition
Mother's Ambition 1955
Life's Simple Pleasures
Life's Simple Pleasures 1955
Ofukuro
Ofukuro 1955
The Big Ambition
The Big Ambition Sumie Shida 1955
Frame of Snow
Frame of Snow Satoko (Ishiyama’s wife) 1955
Here Is a Spring
Here Is a Spring 1955
Policeman's Diary
Policeman's Diary 1955
お月様には悪いけど
お月様には悪いけど 鶴田はと子 1954
The Cock Crows Twice
The Cock Crows Twice 1954
The Surf
The Surf Tomi, Shinji's Mother 1954
The Days of Youth are Days of Sadness
The Days of Youth are Days of Sadness 1954
The Valley Between Love and Death
The Valley Between Love and Death 1954
Geisha Hidekoma
Geisha Hidekoma 1954
乾杯!女学生
乾杯!女学生 1954
Late Chrysanthemums
Late Chrysanthemums Nobu 1954
All of Myself
All of Myself Kazama’s Aunt 1954
Itsuko to sono haha
Itsuko to sono haha Fusako Tashiro 1954
Love Letter
Love Letter Bookstor's owner 1953
The Lovers
The Lovers Mrs. Ushiyama 1953
Princess Finds Her Prince
Princess Finds Her Prince 1953
Tokyo Profile
Tokyo Profile Kiyoko 1953
Dreaming People
Dreaming People 1953
The Blue Revolution
The Blue Revolution 1953
Sisters
Sisters 1953
The End of the Night
The End of the Night 1953
Miniature
Miniature 1953
One Thousand Ryo Ship in the Wind and  Clouds
One Thousand Ryo Ship in the Wind and Clouds 1952
Oka wa hanazakari
Oka wa hanazakari 1952
The Woman Who Touched the Legs
The Woman Who Touched the Legs 1952
Adolescence
Adolescence Natsu, Mayumi's mother 1952
Shanghai Rose
Shanghai Rose Miss Shen 1952
Four Asakusa Sisters
Four Asakusa Sisters 1952
Tokyo Sweetheart
Tokyo Sweetheart Jewelry shop proprietress 1952
Forbidden Path
Forbidden Path 1952
Mother
Mother Osei 1952
Third Class Executives
Third Class Executives Mrs. Kuwabara 1952
Kin no tamago: Golden Girl
Kin no tamago: Golden Girl 1952
The Life of Oharu
The Life of Oharu Sasaya's wife Owasa 1952
Mr. Lucky
Mr. Lucky 1952
Wedding March
Wedding March Kumako 1951
Dancing Girl
Dancing Girl Mitsue 1951
The White Orchid
The White Orchid 1951
Elegy
Elegy 1951
A Man from Akagi
A Man from Akagi 1950
Jiruba no Tetsu
Jiruba no Tetsu 1950
Beyond the Hills
Beyond the Hills 1950
Guntō nanban-sen
Guntō nanban-sen 1950
Spring Snow
Spring Snow 1950
Onna no ryūkō
Onna no ryūkō 1950
First Love Questions and Answers
First Love Questions and Answers 1950
Broken Drum
Broken Drum Yasuko 1949
The Flower That Crossed the Mountain
The Flower That Crossed the Mountain 1949
Ishimatsu of the Forest
Ishimatsu of the Forest 1949
Flame of My Love
Flame of My Love 1949
Goblin Courier
Goblin Courier 1949
Kōfuku no genkai
Kōfuku no genkai 1948
Ghosts Die at Dawn
Ghosts Die at Dawn Takeko 1948
Twenty-One Fingerprints
Twenty-One Fingerprints 1948
Victory Song
Victory Song Captain's mother 1945
Miyamoto Musashi - Battle at Han'nya Hill
Miyamoto Musashi - Battle at Han'nya Hill Osaki 1943
Mother Never Dies
Mother Never Dies 1942
Onna keizu
Onna keizu 1942
Green Earth
Green Earth 1942
Sky of Hope
Sky of Hope Kiyo 1942
A Man's Flower Road of Triumph
A Man's Flower Road of Triumph 1941
Dancers of Awa
Dancers of Awa 1941
Horse
Horse Kikuko Yamashita 1941
Kodakara fūfu
Kodakara fūfu 1941
Bellflower
Bellflower Mother 1940
Wedding Day
Wedding Day 1940
Toyuki
Toyuki Apprentice Geisha 1940
Hideko the Cheerleader
Hideko the Cheerleader Tomoko, Hideko's mother 1940
Shinpen Tange Sazen: Sekigan no maki
Shinpen Tange Sazen: Sekigan no maki Otomi 1939
Osanaki mono no hata
Osanaki mono no hata Mother 1939
Ichiyo Higuchi
Ichiyo Higuchi 1939
A Pebble by the Wayside
A Pebble by the Wayside Sumie 1938
Sōbō
Sōbō 1937
Passionate Poet Ishikawa Takuboku - Hometown
Passionate Poet Ishikawa Takuboku - Hometown 1936
The Foster Mother
The Foster Mother

Writing Credits (1)

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