Yoneko Sakai

Biography

Sakai Yoneko was famous for playing the part of strong-willed female characters for which her striking facial features made her ideal. Born in 1898 in Tokyo, she moved into acting at an early age, appearing in George Bernard Show's famous play Umadorobo when she was only twelve. She had a harsh experience at the Geijutsu company where she was treated badly by Matsui Sumako, but she rose above this and in 1920 joined Nikkatsu. She costarred in Tanaka Eizo's films Asahi Sasumae and Nagareyuku Onna, and later played mature roles in Tabino Onna Geinin and Aino Mibojin with Umemura Yoko. Sakai became the leading actress in Nikkatsu samurai films such as Omitsu to Seizaburo under director Murata Minoru, and she is particularly remembered for the role Okinu in the film Kutsukake Tokijiro in which she costarred with Okochi Denjiro. She died in 1958 after a long and successful film career.