Shizuko Kasagi

In this Japanese name, the family name is Kasagi.
Shizuko Kasagi

Shizuko Kasagi in the film Ginza Kankan Musume
Background information
Native name 笠置 シヅ子
Birth name Shizuko Kamei (亀井 静子)
Also known as Shizuko Mikasa
Born (1914-08-25)25 August 1914
Ōkawa District, Kagawa, Japan
Died 30 March 1985(1985-03-30) (aged 70)
Genres Jazz
Occupation(s) Singer, actress
Years active 1927–1955
Labels Nippon Columbia
Associated acts Ryoichi Hattori

Shizuko Kasagi (笠置 シヅ子 Kasagi Shizuko, 25 August 1914 – 30 March 1985) was a popular Japanese jazz singer and actress. At the peak of her fame in the immediate post-war era, she was known as the "Queen of the Boogie-Woogie" (ブギの女王 Bugi no Joō).

Early Life and Career

Shizuko Kasagi was born Shizuko Kamei (亀井 静子) on 25 August 1914 in Ōkawa District, Kagawa, Japan. She originally took Shizuko Mikasa (三笠 静子) as her stage name, but eventually changed the spelling of her name to 笠置 シズ子.

Before World War II, Shizuko was one of the stars of the Japan Girls Opera Company. During the Occupation of Japan, she became a mega star singing songs influenced by American jazz and boogie woogie. She appeared in the 1948 film Drunken Angel directed by Akira Kurosawa. In 1957, Shizuko retired from singing and concentrated on her acting career.

Death

Kasagi died from ovarian cancer on 30 March 1985, aged 70.

Films

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