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Mitsuko Baishō

Mitsuko Baishō

Actor · Born November 22, 1946 (79) · Ibaraki, Japan

Mitsuko Baisho (born 22 November 1946 in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan) is a noted Japanese actress, whose most internationally known work has been for director Shohei Imamura, from 1979 up to the director's final film in 2002. Baisho has also been in films of Akira Kurosawa. She also won the awards for best actress at the 10th Hochi Film Award for Love Letter and Ikiteru uchi ga hana nano yo shindara sore made yo to sengen.She also won the award for best supporting actress at the 8th Hochi Film Award for The Geisha and at the 22nd Hochi Film Award for Tokyo Lullaby. Her sister is actress-singer Chieko Baisho.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
November 22, 1946 (79)
From
Ibaraki, Japan
Works as
Actor
Titles
19 on MovieCove · 124 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 157 days to Oct 28Down 37% in 30 days

What are Mitsuko Baishō's films like?

Across their 16 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Survival.

Genres

Drama7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 85th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 78th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 82nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: 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
Self
28%
Survival
22%
Morality
14%
Bonds
11%
Power
11%
Society
8%
Ideas
6%
Purpose4 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeMortality2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFreedom2 titles, browse their movies with this themeNature2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 16 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 4 · Serious 3 · Dark 9

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 6 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 5

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

Gentle 1 · Charged 8 · Intense 7

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

A split, not a type: Steady 7 · Shifting 6 · Whiplash 3

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

Straight-faced 10 · Some laughs 4 · Funny 2

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

Slow burn 8 · Even-paced 8 · Relentless 0

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

Casual 3 · Engaged 10 · Full focus 3

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

A split, not a type: Easy watch 1 · Affecting 6 · Heavy 9

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 9 · Open-ended 5 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

2 analyzed roles
  • Allyas Yoshie 'Sensei' Azuma in Out (2002)
  • Allyas Namiko Yoshida in Gururi no koto (2008)

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
6
Melancholic
7
Dread
7
Contemplative
7
Hopeful
4
Other
9

How their films linger

Thought-provoking6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy2
  • Bittersweet10
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous3

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 Mitsuko Baishō's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 11 of their 19 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on The Criterion Channel (3).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Mitsuko Baishō'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

124 credits, 19 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • UNDERGIRL (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Actor

  • Brighter Days (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Sae Yukino

  • 52-Hertz Whales (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Sachie Muranaka

  • 友情 ～平尾誠二と山中伸弥 『最後の一年』～ (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Actor

  • The Inugami Family (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Show 2 episodes · as Setsuko

  • Gannibal(2022)

    Show 8 episodes · as Gin Gotô

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Offbeat Cops (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Sachiko Naruse

  • Roppongi Class (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Involvement in Family Affairs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 12 episodes · as Yasuko Miyama

  • In the Wake (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Kei Tōshima

  • Kawa no Hotori de (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 6 episodes · Actor

  • Request to the Angel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Show 5 episodes · as Kazuko Sato

  • Threads - Our Tapestry of Love(2020)

    as Setsuko Murata

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Two Weeks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Detective Akechi Kogoro (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Show 2 episodes · as Koumoto Keiko

  • When My Mom Died, I Wanted to Eat Her Ashes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Akiko

  • Akuma ga Kitarite Fue wo Fuku (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Actor

  • Black Pean(2018)

    Show 10 episodes · as Harue Tokai

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all shows

  • Cinema Fighters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Miyuki

  • Snowman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Miyuki (old)

  • An Emblem Dedicated To You (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Takajo Waka

  • Bōkyō (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as (segment "Mikan no hana")

  • Sing My Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Katsu Seyama

  • Big & Little (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Masako

  • Shitamachi Rocket (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Show 10 episodes · Actor

  • Mr. Love Chemistry 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Actor

  • Risking it All: The Spirit of the Men in Orange (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Actor

  • Miyamoto Musashi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 2 episodes · as Otsu

  • Time Never Stops (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Iku Hamaguchi

  • The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Harue Fujishima

  • Hanzawa Naoki (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 10 episodes · as Natsuko Hane

  • Take Five: Should we Steal for Love? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 10 episodes · as Mysterious Woman

  • Late Blooming Sunflower My Life Renewed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Ikuko Omura

  • Doctor X(2012)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • Blazing Famiglia (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Donbaa

  • Blackboard (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Ryoko Yokote · as Yokote Ryoko

  • Shichou Shisu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Actor

  • Umechan Sensei (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 156 episodes · as 下村正枝

  • Rock: Wanko no Shima (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Actor

  • Dendera (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Masari Shiina

  • Tomorrow's Joe(2011)

    as Mari Hanamura

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Postcard (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Chiyo Morikawa, the Mother-in-Law

  • The Lady Shogun and Her Men (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Yorinobu Mizuno

  • Ryōmaden (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 48 episodes · Actor

  • Noriben - The Recipe for Fortune (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Fumiyo Hara

  • Counterfeit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Kageko Sada

  • 最後の戦犯 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Actor

  • Gururi no koto(2008)

    as Namiko Yoshida

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Last Friends (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 11 episodes · as Chinatsu Aida

  • Tokyo Tower (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 11 episodes · as Eiko Nakagawa

  • Tales from Earthsea(2006)

    as The Mistress (voice)

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Haru, Bânîzu de (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Actor

  • Shining Boy & Little Randy(2005)

    as Asako Fujisawa · as Asako Fujisawa (as Mitsuko Baisho)

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Ruri's Island (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 10 episodes · as Nakama Megumi

  • Chicken Is Barefoot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Actor

  • Locomotive Teacher (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Actor

  • Out(2002)

    as Yoshie 'Sensei' Azuma

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • September 11(2002)

    as Kayo Furuhashi (segment "Japan")

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Dawn of a New Day: The Man Behind VHS (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Masae Murakami

  • Warm Water Under a Red Bridge(2001)

    as Mitsu Aizawa

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Turn (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Mori Satoko

  • A Single Drop of Water in a Mighty River (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Actor

  • By Player (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Actor

  • Suzuran (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 156 episodes · as Fuki Kawamoto

  • The Hidden Festival (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Actor

  • Love Letter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Actor

  • Solitude Point (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Yukie

  • The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Yukiko Yoshiyama

  • Tokyo Lullaby (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Hisako Hamanaka

  • The Eel(1997)

    as Misako Nakajima

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Gift (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 11 episodes · as Reiko Sakuhara（朔原 令子）

  • A Last Note (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Naoko Yazawa

  • Haru yo koi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 307 episodes · as 高倉リュウ

  • Dreams(1990)

    as Mother of 'I'

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • My Phoenix (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Takako Demachi

  • Sensei (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Shota's mother

  • An Early Autumn (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Sure Death 4 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Ofuku

  • Zegen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Shiho

  • Women Who Do Not Divorce (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Actor

  • Cabaret (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Megumi Nanbu

  • Love Letter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Kyoko Takehara

  • Let Him Rest in Peace (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Shima Akai

  • Nuclear Gypsies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Actor

  • Curtain Call (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Haruko Nakamichi

  • The Crazy Family(1984)

    as Saeko Kobayashi

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • The Geisha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Osodé

  • The Ballad of Narayama(1983)

    as Oei

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • P. P. Rider (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Ikuko

  • Flames of Blood (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Orin

  • Eijanaika (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Oko

  • Aoki Ookami Narukichiomoase no Shougai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Show 2 episodes · as ボルテ

  • Kagemusha: The Shadow Warrior(1980)

    as Oyunokata

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Wings of Icarus' Flight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Actor

  • Mr. Kinpachi in Class 3B (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 83 episodes · Actor

  • Detective Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 27 episodes · as Masako Aiki

  • Vengeance Is Mine(1979)

    as Kazuko Enokizu

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Bandits vs. Samurai Squadron (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Omatsu

  • Winter's Flower (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Mary

  • The Love and Adventures of Kuroki Taro (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Actor

  • A Scream from Nowhere (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Sumiko Miyajima - The Actress

  • The Life of Chikuzan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Chikuzan's 2nd wife

  • The Three Ginza Rascals (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Actor

  • Love Is a Hunter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Michiko Matsumoto

  • Manhunt(1976)

    as Otsuki Kyoko

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Daddy on a Rocking Boat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Actor

  • The Shinano River (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Actor

  • Kao de Waratte (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 1 episode · as Hideko Hanada

  • Miyamoto Musashi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Akemi

  • Flower and Dragon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Actor

  • Theater of Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Actor

  • Chase That Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Actor

  • The Instant Services Bureau (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Actor

  • Kigeki: Onna ikitemasu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Actor

  • Challenge at Dawn (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Actor

  • Follow the Girls (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Actor

  • Fun on the Run (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Ponta

  • Charming Men (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Haruko

  • Duel at Fort Ezo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Aka Shu

  • Our Miyo-chan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Miyo

  • Women Can't Be Beaten (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Aiko

  • Hitokiri(1969)

    as Onimo

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • The Million Dollar Pursuit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Actor

  • Lover's Duet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Yachiyo Kawada

Career shape

Star power in the 96th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 123 titles from 1967 to 2026; peak year 1989.

Biggest box office

Tales from Earthsea (2006)

$69M worldwide

Highest rated

Kagemusha: The Shadow Warrior (1980)

Midcredits 98th

Film career

19672026

Peak 1989 · fewer prominent film roles lately. 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.

  • 1969Screen debut· Tenchu!
  • 1990Career best· Dreams

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting123 of 123: 123 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score76th

By decade

1960s5 · acting1970s25 · acting1980s20 · acting1990s11 · acting2000s19 · acting2010s30 · acting2020s13 · acting

Billing

usually 5th · top billed in 0% of 11 roles
6989

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; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Mitsuko Baishō's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 79th percentile, the median of all 16; across their 16 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 84th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

84thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Approval · how many liked their films

76thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Reach · how many have seen their films

79thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Midcredits score across 19 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up9
  • 50th to 74th9
  • 25th to 49th1

Shape of the crowd

11 of their 19 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Crowd Pleaser11
  • Mixed4

Most divisive · actor

Tomorrow's Joe (2011)

72nd percentile spread · 13% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Kagemusha: The Shadow Warrior (1980)

Midcredits 98th · 87% liked

Reviewers score the acting 76/100 in their films, across 14 reviewed titles; fans 81, detractors 49. 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 Mitsuko Baishō's work okay for kids?

Across up to 5 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity runs lighter than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore3 titlesmedian 52 · moderateMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity5 titles2–81 · median 12 · minimallighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity3 titlesmedian 0 · minimalMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 7 · minimalMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 50 · moderateMedian 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 Mitsuko Baishō work with?

People who share at least 2 of Mitsuko Baishō's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Shinichirô Ikebe shares the most, 6.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers