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Michiyo Aratama

Michiyo Aratama

Actor · Died March 17, 2001, aged 71 · Nara, Nara, Japan

​From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.   Michiyo Aratama (新珠 三千代, Aratama Michiyo, 15 January 1930 – 17 March 2001) was a Japanese actress who appeared in leading and supporting roles in such films as Hiroshi Inagaki's Chushingura, Kihachi Okamoto's Samurai Assassin and Sword of Doom, and Masaki Kobayashi's Kwaidan, Hymn to a Tired Man and The Human Condition trilogy. Description above from the Wikipedia article Michiyo Aratama, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
January 15, 1930
Died
March 17, 2001 (aged 71)
From
Nara, Nara, Japan
Works as
Actor
Titles
10 on MovieCove · 109 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 38 days to Oct 27Down 13% in 30 days

What are Michiyo Aratama's films like?

Across their 8 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Survival.

Genres

Drama6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 98th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 95th percentile
: browse their Action movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
26%
Survival
21%
Power
16%
Self
14%
Bonds
13%
Society
7%
Ideas
3%
Oppression3 titles, browse their movies with this themeGuilt2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival2 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 8 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Dark: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their dark movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 0 · Serious 2 · Dark 6

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 3 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 2

Intense: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their intense movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 0 · Charged 3 · Intense 5

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 6 · Shifting 2 · Whiplash 0

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 7 · Some laughs 1 · Funny 0

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 6 · Even-paced 2 · Relentless 0

Full focus: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their full focus movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 0 · Engaged 3 · Full focus 5

Heavy: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their heavy movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

Easy watch 0 · Affecting 4 · Heavy 4

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 3 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

1 analyzed role
  • Shadowas First wife (segment: Kurokami) in Kwaidan (1964)

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Melancholic
8
Tense
6
Dread
4
Contemplative
2
Elegiac
2
Other
1

How their films linger

Haunting6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteDevastating2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Bittersweet1
  • Tragic5
  • Ambiguous1
  • Cyclical1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Michiyo Aratama's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 7 of their 10 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on The Criterion Channel (7).

Subscription and free streaming for Michiyo Aratama's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

109 credits, 10 with a MovieCove page.

  • 雪の華－建礼門院徳子の生涯 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Niji wo Oru (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Show 153 episodes · as 上原敏江

  • Human Revolution II (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Actor

  • Wind, Clouds, and Rainbow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 52 episodes · as Masako

  • Slope of the Sun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Actor

  • The Human Revolution (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Actor

  • Shin Heike Monogatari (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 52 episodes · as Gion no Nyogo

  • The Walking Major (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Mother Yamada

  • Tora-san, His Tender Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as 志津

  • Devil's Temple (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Aizen

  • Sky Scraper! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Actor

  • The Tempters: Smile After Tears (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Hisako

  • 喜劇・大安旅行 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Actor

  • 大安旅行 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Actor

  • Hymn to a Tired Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Yosiko · as Yoshiko Hide

  • Volcano of Station Front Plaza (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Actor

  • Devils-in-Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Actor

  • The Last Lady (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Kazuko Kita

  • Japan's Longest Day(1967)

    as Yuriko Hara

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Five Gents Prefer Geisha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Suzuko (Bar Madam)

  • Three Faces of Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Fujiyo Shindo

  • Discover Japan with the 5 Gents (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Suzuko (Bar Madam)

  • Once a Rainy Day (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Actor

  • Five Gents on the Spot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    as Machiko

  • The Sword of Doom(1966)

    as Ohama

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • The Stranger Within a Woman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    as Masako Tashiro

  • A Company President's Life Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    as Machiko (Osaka Bar Madam)

  • A Trap (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as Michiko Kôno

  • Cold Rice, Osan, Chan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Actor

  • President's Ninja Trick Book Part II (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as Sumie (Bar Marimo Madame)

  • Kwaidan(1964)

    as First Wife (segment "The Black Hair")

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Five Gents' Trick Book (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Actor

  • Samurai Assassin(1965)

    as Okiku / Princess Kiku

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Western King, Eastern Leader (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Actor

  • Brand of Evil (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Asai Setsuko

  • Comedy: Cheerful Widow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Actor

  • 3 Gents in the Snow Country (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Actor

  • The Prodigal Son (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Okichi

  • Daybreak Chorus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Yonéko Takasugi

  • The Elegant Life of Mr. Everyman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Natsuko

  • Dobuike (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Umeko Murata

  • The Life of a Horse-Trader (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Actor

  • Aloha 3 Gents (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Kiyoko (Madam of Sakura-tei, Hawaii)

  • 3 Gents In Hawaii (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Kiyoko (Madam of Sakura-tei, Hawaii)

  • The Hidden Profile (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Actor

  • Madame Aki (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Misako

  • Chushingura(1962)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Get Married, Mother (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Mitsuyo Kawamoto

  • Heso no taisho (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Actor

  • Three Gentlemen Return from Hong Kong (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Actor

  • Whirlpool of Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Actor

  • Three Gentlemen from Tokyo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Actor

  • Shimizu Port Salaryman Part II (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Actor

  • Shimizu Port Salaryman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Actor

  • Structure of Hate (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Actor

  • The End of Summer(1961)

    as Fumiko

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • The Gambler's Code (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Okinu

  • Moonlight in the Rain (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Actor

  • Playboy President (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Geisha Hyōtan

  • The Masterless 47 – Part II (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Actor

  • The Wind and Waves (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Actor

  • The Human Condition III: A Soldier's Prayer(1961)

    as Michiko

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • The Masterless 47 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Geisha Kayoji

  • The Akasaka Sisters: Soft Touch of Night (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Akie Narumi

  • Jiyūgaoka fujin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Actor

  • The Twilight Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Actor

  • New Third Class Executive: Husband Education (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Akiko Hakoda

  • The Dangerous Kiss (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Actor

  • Victory and Defeat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Sayoko Takamatsu

  • New Third Class Executive: Fortune Teller (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Akiko Hakoda

  • The Gambling Samurai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Niko Enzo · as Toku

  • Modern Salaryman: Bushido Romance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Mizukami Michiko (Setsuko's sister)

  • New Third Class Executive: Travel, Women and Drinking (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Akiko Hakoda (Secretary)

  • The Human Condition II: Road to Eternity(1959)

    as Michiko

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Actor Shark (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Actor

  • New Third-Class Executive (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Akiko Hakoda

  • I Want to Be a Shellfish (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Fusae Shimizu

  • Gambler and the Princess (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Oshige

  • The Human Condition I: No Greater Love(1959)

    as Michiko

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Conflagration (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Mistress of the floral art

  • Summer Clouds (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Actor

  • The Young Beast (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Actor

  • All About Marriage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Keiko Kakiuchi

  • Aoi Secret Book (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Asayo

  • A Boy and Three Mothers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Kazuko, the Birth Mother

  • Faraway Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Actor

  • The Oil-Hell Murder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Actor

  • First Love Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Hanako Tomizaki (Yukichiyo)

  • Seagull of the Night (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Actor

  • Muhō Ichidai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Actor

  • Dancing Sisters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Actor

  • Kawakami Tetsuji, No. 16 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Yukari Yoyogi (Tetsuharu's Wife)

  • Suzaki Paradise: Red Light District (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Tsutae

  • This Is Home (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Actor

  • Family of Sorrow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Actor

  • Crossroad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Harumi Oki

  • Called to the Stand (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Actor

  • The Balloon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Kumiko Yamana

  • The Baby Carriage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Tomoko Aizawa

  • Policeman's Diary, Part 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Actor

  • The Samurai of Edo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Actor

  • The Heart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Shizu, Nobuchi's wife

  • Tsukiyo no kasa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Actor

  • The Three Faces (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Sonoe Shiga

  • Vanished Glory (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Actor

  • Till We Meet Again (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Kyoko Yamana

  • Casebook of Dandy Sashichi: Blind Wolf (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Actor

  • Wife(1953)

    as Yoshimi Niemura

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Swords and Brocade (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 109 titles from 1951 to 1982; peak year 1966.

Highest rated

The Human Condition I: No Greater Love (1959)

Midcredits 99th

Film career

19511982

Peak 1966 · their film career is on the way up. Top draw in 3 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 1956Screen debut· Suzaki Paradise: Red Light District
  • 1956First top-billed film· Suzaki Paradise: Red Light District
  • 1965Career best· Kwaidan

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting109 of 109: 109 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score97th

By decade

1950s36 · acting1960s64 · acting1970s7 · acting1980s2 · acting

Billing

usually 2nd · top billed in 20% of 10 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Michiyo Aratama's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 97th percentile, the median of all 10; across their 8 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 96th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

96thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 8

Approval · how many liked their films

97thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 8

Reach · how many have seen their films

87thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 8

Midcredits score across 10 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up10

Shape of the crowd

None of their 10 titles divides audiences: 8 are Universally Loved.

  • Universally Loved8
  • Crowd Pleaser2

Most loved · actor

The Human Condition I: No Greater Love (1959)

Midcredits 99th · 92% liked

Reviewers score the acting 86/100 in their films, across 8 reviewed titles; fans 88, detractors 58. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Michiyo Aratama's work okay for kids?

Across up to 5 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore5 titles57–80 · median 72 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity5 titles32–44 · median 37 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity3 titlesmedian 36 · moderateMedian of all films: 36
Frightening / Intense5 titles65–87 · median 81 · severeheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Michiyo Aratama work with?

People who share at least 2 of Michiyo Aratama's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Masaki Kobayashi shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers