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Machiko Kyô

Machiko Kyô

Actor · Died May 12, 2019, aged 95 · Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, Japan

Machiko Kyō (Japanese: 京 マチ子 Hepburn: Kyō Machiko, March 25, 1924 – May 12, 2019) was a Japanese actress whose film work occurred primarily during the 1950s. She rose to extraordinary domestic praise in Japan for her work in two of the greatest Japanese films of the 20th century, Akira Kurosawa's Rashōmon and Kenji Mizoguchi's Ugetsu. Machiko trained to be a dancer before entering films in 1949. The following year, she would achieve international fame as the female lead in Akira Kurosawa's classic film Rashōmon. Kyō starred in many more Japanese productions, including Kenji Mizoguchi's Ugetsu (1953) and Street of Shame (1956), Teinosuke Kinugasa's Gate of Hell (1953), Kon Ichikawa's Odd Obsession (1959), Yasujirō Ozu's Floating Weeds (1959), and Hiroshi Teshigahara's The Face of Another (1966). Her only role in a non-Japanese film was as Lotus Blossom, a young geisha, in The Teahouse of the August Moon, starring opposite Marlon Brando and Glenn Ford. In her eighties, Kyō continued to perform in traditional Japanese theatrical productions put on by famed producer Fukuko Ishii. Her final role was as Matsuura Shino in the NHK television drama series Haregi Koko Ichiban in 2000. Kyō was nominated for a Golden Globe for The Teahouse of the August Moon, a great feat for an Asian actress at the time, and was awarded many prizes, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Awards of the Japanese Academy. Description above from the Wikipedia article Machiko Kyō, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
March 25, 1924
Died
May 12, 2019 (aged 95)
From
Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, Japan
Works as
Actor
Titles
11 on MovieCove · 99 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 37 days to Oct 26Up 5% in 30 days

What are Machiko Kyô's films like?

Across their 11 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Drama6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 97th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 65th percentile
: browse their Comedy 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
27%
Bonds
23%
Self
17%
Society
13%
Ideas
8%
Power
7%
Survival
5%
Family bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeObsession2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDuty2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 11 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 3 · Serious 1 · Dark 7

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

Grounded 3 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 3

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

Gentle 3 · Charged 4 · Intense 4

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

Steady 8 · Shifting 3 · Whiplash 0

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

Straight-faced 9 · Some laughs 0 · Funny 2

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

Slow burn 9 · Even-paced 2 · 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 6 · Full focus 2

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 3 · Affecting 3 · Heavy 5

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

A split, not a type: Resolved 7 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

6 analyzed roles

Usually the Shapeshifter: 3 of 6 analyzed roles.

Shapeshifter
3 of 6
Shadow
2 of 6
Hero
1 of 6

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Melancholic
7
Tense
5
Contemplative
5
Warm
4
Bittersweet
2
Other
7

How their films linger

Haunting6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy2
  • Bittersweet6
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous1

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 Machiko Kyô's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 8 of their 11 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on The Criterion Channel (7).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Machiko Kyô'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

99 credits, 11 with a MovieCove page; 4 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Hana no Ran (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 37 episodes · as Hino Shigeko

  • Make-Up (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Tsune Tsutano

  • Nukata no Ōkimi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Yokomizo Seishi Series (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Tora-san's Pure Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as 柳生绫

  • The Possessed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Actor

  • Solar Eclipse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Actor

  • The Family (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Aiko Takasu

  • Born Fighter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Sue Yoshida

  • Thousand Cranes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Chikako Kurimoto

  • The Little Runaway (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    as Director of the shelter

  • The Daphne (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    as Kikuko (the eldest daughter)

  • The Face of Another(1966)

    as Mrs. Okuyama

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Sweet Sweat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Umeko

  • The Third Will (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Fujiyo Yajima

  • A Woman's Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Kei Nunobiki

  • The Great Wall (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Actor

  • Nakayoshi ondo: Nippon ichi dayo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Actor

  • Black Lizard (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Mrs. Midorikawa

  • Buddha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Nandabala

  • A Design for Dying (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Shikiko Oba

  • Fantastico (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Actor

  • Marriageable Age (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Actor

  • The Legendary Hell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Oden Takahashi

  • The Beloved Image (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Actor

  • Ashi ni sawatta onna(1960)

    as Saya Shiozawa

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Last Betrayal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Chizuru

  • Bonchi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Ofuku

  • The Wandering Princess (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Ryûko Korinkakura / Hiroko Aishinkakura

  • A Woman's Testament (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Actor

  • Floating Weeds(1959)

    as Sumiko

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • The Key(1959)

    as Ikuko Kenmochi

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Jirocho Fuji (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Okatsu

  • Paper Pigeon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Ryoko Kashiwabara

  • The Woman and the Pirate (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as 綾衣 · as お糸

  • The Makioka Sisters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Actor

  • Goodbye, Hello (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Umeko Ichige

  • Musume no boken (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Actor

  • The Ladder of Success (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Actor

  • Tainted Flowers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Actor

  • Ôsaka no onna (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Osen

  • The Loyal 47 Ronin(1958)

    as Orui, Spy

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

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

    as Takako Ômachi

  • Sorrow Is Only for Women (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Actor

  • Chance Meeting (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Aya Koyanagi

  • Hole in One (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Nagako Kita

  • Night Butterflies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Mari

  • Blooms of Hell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Actor

  • A Woman's Skin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Actor

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

    as Chiyomi Hanamura

  • Daiei Studio is Bustling (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Actor

  • Itohan Monogatari (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Okatsu

  • The Teahouse of the August Moon(1956)

    as Lotus Blossom

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Tsukigata Hanpeita (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Hagino

  • Street of Shame(1956)

    as Mickey

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • A Rainbow at Every Turn (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Actor

  • Three Women Around Yoshinaka (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Tomoe

  • New Women’s Dialogue (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Actor

  • Tôjûrô no koi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Okaji

  • Princess Yang Kwei-fei (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Princess Yang Kwei-fei

  • A Girl Isn't Allowed to Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Actor

  • Haru no uzumaki(1954)

    Actor

  • A Geisha on Horseback (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as Nobukichi

  • The Princess Sen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Actor

  • Asakusa at Night (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as Setsuko Takashima

  • The Story of Shunkin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Actor

  • Tree of Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Actor

  • A Certain Woman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as Yoko Hayazuki

  • Gate of Hell(1953)

    as Lady Kesa

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Brother and Sister (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    as Mon

  • Kurohyō (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Actor

  • Ugetsu(1953)

    as Lady Wakasa

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Kanojo no tokudane (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    Actor

  • Dedication of the Great Buddha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    Actor

  • Beauty and the Thief (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    as Sakin

  • Taki no Shiraito (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    as Taki no Shiraito

  • Eternal Song of Nagasaki (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    Actor

  • The Scarlet Gang of Asakusa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    as Ryûko Beni

  • The Life of a Horse Trader (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as Yuki

  • The Bitch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as Emmy

  • The Tale of Genji (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as Awaji no ue

  • Jōen no hatoba (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Actor

  • Freedom School (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Actor

  • Koi no Oranda-zaka (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Actor

  • Clothes of Deception (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as Kimicho

  • Phoenix (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Actor

  • Rashomon(1950)

    as Masako

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Resurrection (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Yukiko Ohara

  • The Sea of Beauty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Actor

  • Asakusa no hada (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Actor

  • The Motherland Far Far Away (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Mari, daughter

  • Hebi hime dōchū (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    Actor

  • A Fool's Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    as Naomi

  • Three Pearls (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    Actor

  • A Bullet Hole Underground (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    as Michiko Kaneko

  • Hanakurabe tanuki-den (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    Actor

  • The Man Who Laughs Last (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    Actor

  • Zoku hebi hime dōchū (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • 現代インチキ物語　ど狸 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 99 titles, 97 of them dated from 1949 to 1994.

Biggest box office

Rashomon (1950)

$147K worldwide

Highest rated

Rashomon (1950)

Midcredits 98th

Film career

MilestoneBreakout

Top draw in 4 MovieCove titles.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting99 of 99: 99 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score92nd

By decade

1940s6 · acting1950s61 · acting1960s21 · acting1970s6 · acting1980s2 · acting1990s1 · acting

Billing

usually 2nd · top billed in 44% of 9 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 Machiko Kyô's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 92nd percentile, the median of the 10 of 11 with a score; across their 11 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 85th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

85thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Approval · how many liked their films

84thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Reach · how many have seen their films

71stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Midcredits score across 10 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up7
  • 50th to 74th2
  • Below 25th1

Shape of the crowd

5 of their 10 titles are Universally Loved.

  • Universally Loved5
  • Crowd Pleaser4
  • Mixed1

Most divisive · actor

Ashi ni sawatta onna (1960)

67th percentile spread · 32% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Rashomon (1950)

Midcredits 98th · 87% liked

Reviewers score the acting 77/100 in their films, across 8 reviewed titles; fans 82, detractors 50. 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 Machiko Kyô's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 3 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity3 titlesmedian 39 · moderateMedian of all films: 32

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Machiko Kyô work with?

People who share at least 2 of Machiko Kyô's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Masaichi Nagata shares the most, 9.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles