Etsuko Shihomi

, born October 29, 1955, in Okayama City, Japan, as , now known by her married name , is a Japanese actress and martial artist who appeared in several Japanese martial arts films and samurai film and TV productions of the 1970s and 1980s.

Life and career A skilled martial artist trained in Karate, Kenjitsu and Shorinji Kempo Etsuko was a member of Sonny Chiba's "Japan Action Club" (JAC) and appeared in several film and TV productions with Chiba, Hiroyuki Sanada, and other members of the JAC, including her big screen debut in Bodyguard Kiba 2 (1973), The Street Fighter (1974), Shorinji Kempo also known misleadingly as Killing Machine (1975), The Gorilla Seven TV series (1975), The Defensive Power of Aikido (1975), Shogun's Samurai (aka The Yagyu Clan Conspiracy) (1978), The Yagyu Conspiracy TV series (1978), Message from Space (1978), Shadow Warriors I-V TV series (1980–1985), Shogun's Ninja (1980), Roaring Fire (1982), and Legend of the Eight Samurai (1983).

Etsuko was also the lead in a number of films and TV series, starring in the Sister Street Fighter trilogy (1974–1975), The 13 Steps of Maki (1975), The Magnificent Chase (1975), Dragon Princess (1976), Lethal Woman: Fifth Level Fist (1976), the Yagyu Jubei Abaretabi TV series (1982–1983) where she reprised her role as Akane Yagyū alongside Sonny Chiba as Jūbei Yagyū from Shogun's Samurai (1978) and The Yagyu Conspiracy (1978), and The Second is a Christian (1985) an action comedy about a nun who becomes the successor to the head of a Yakuza group.

Along with her work in numerous contemporary martial arts and period samurai films and TV programs, Etsuko also appeared in tokusatsu superhero productions like Kikaider 01 (1973–1974) and Moonlight Mask (aka The Moon Mask Rider) (1981), investigative dramas such as Detective of Tomorrow (1977) and Detectives of Rumour: Tommy And Matsu (1979), fantasy films like Black Jack: The Visitor in the Eye (1977) and Exchange Students (1982), and mysteries like The Atami Murder Case (1986).

Etsuko also had a singing career from 1975 to 1984, although her last solo album, Three Dimension, was also released on CD in 1985. Two books were released relating to her in the 1970s and 1980s.

Etsuko met singer-actor Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi on the set of the Otoko wa Tsurai yo film Tora-san's Bluebird Fantasy (1986), when she was around 30 years old. She retired from acting after marrying him the following year, in 1987, when she was 31. Their daughter Ayane Nagabuchi is also an actress.

After her retirement, Etsuko stayed out of the limelight but returned to the public eye in 2011 with the release of her photography book Flower Arrangement INSPIRE and has been involved in charity work. She has written subsequent books on flower arrangement and made a number of public appearances, with the proceeds also being donated to charities.

Acting credits Film

Television

Year Title Role Notes 1973 Suspense Series: Modern Witch Tale Murderous Love(サスペンスシリーズ 現代鬼婆考 殺愛) Shige's sister1 episode/Ep. 25 1973–1974 Kikaider 01(キカイダー01)Mari (Bijinder)17 episodes 1974 The Bodyguard(ザ・ボディガード) Jun Niimi1975 The Gorilla Seven(ザ★ゴリラ7) Michi Nagareya The Young Detective(刑事くん) Yuka1 episode/Ep. 40 of season 3 Kenka Yasubei(けんか安兵衛) Omame 1 episode/Ep. 21 1975–1976 Blazing Dragnet(燃える捜査網) Akiko Shiratori 14 episodes1976 Emergency Line(大非常線) Midori Katsuragi Nanairo Tongarashi(七色とんがらし)Takeko The Young Detective(刑事くん) Miki Inaba1 episode/Ep. 7 of season 4 Detective at Dawn(夜明けの刑事) 1 episode/Ep. 86 1976–1977 Ōedo Sōsamō(大江戸捜査網) Undercover Agent Kaze (Oshin) 38 episodes1977 J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai(ジャッカー電撃隊) Natsuko Ono1 episode/Ep. 3 Shin Kawaramachi Higashiiru(新・河原町東入ル) Natsuko Ōkawara 2 episodes/Ep. 19, 20 New Detective at Dawn(新・夜明けの刑事) Etsuko Shimura 1 episode/Ep. 17 Shingo Tondeke Torimonochō(新伍とんでけ捕物帳) Miho Kanzaki Circus(サーカス) Ruriko Adachi 1 episod/Ep. 7 Cases Files of Ningyo Sashichi(人形佐七捕物帳) Koyuki 1 episode/Ep. 34 1977–1979 Detective of Tomorrow(明日の刑事) Detective Shiho Yamaguchi1978—1979 The Yagyu Conspiracy(柳生一族の陰謀) Akane Yagyū 31 episodes Necchu Jidai(熱中時代) Momoko Koito Sanshiro Sugata(姿三四郎)Sumi Monma (Osumi)1979 Yaruki Manman(やる気満々) Mayumi(真弓) Tejo o Kakeru(手錠をかけろ!) Akiko Uno 1 episode/Ep. 101979—1980 Sannan Sanjo Muko Ippiki III(三男三女婿一匹III) Tsutae Katsura Detectives of Rumour: Tommy and Matsu(噂の刑事トミーとマツ) Sachiko Okano 22 episodes1980 Kyo Maiko Satsujin Jiken: Kyofu no Uwaki Shuccho(京舞妓殺人事件 恐怖の浮気出張) TV film/special appearance Doberman Deka(爆走！ドーベルマン刑事) Detective Kaoru Igarashi 13 episodes Juni-sai no Haato ni Suberi Kome(11歳のハートにすべり込め!) 1 episode/Ep. 5 Shadow Warriors(服部半蔵 影の軍団) Kuromoji no Kirara 1 episode/Ep. 9 Umi Yo Ai no Kiseki O Yobe Tozasareta Shōnen no Kokoro Wa Yomigaeru Ka?(海よ愛の奇跡を呼べ 閉ざされた少年の心は甦るか？) TV film 1980–1981 Hitori Goi Futari Goi Minna Goi(一人来い二人来いみんな来い) Takako1981 Red Lightning:The Shadow Ninja Warriors Strategy to Save Shogun Yoshimune's Mother!赤い稲妻 将軍吉宗の母を救え！影の忍者軍団決死の(秘)作戦) TV film Yagyu Abaretabi(柳生あばれ旅) Oyo Kashiwagi 1 episode/Ep. 22 Hitomi no Naka no Satsui Kekkonshitai Onna(瞳の中の殺意 結婚したい女) TV filmKi ni Naru Tenshi-tachi(気になる天使たち) 1981–1982 Shadow Warriors II(影の軍団II) Misato Shiina 9 episodes1982 Okubo Hikozaemon: The Obstinate Old Man(天下御免の頑固おやじ 大久保彦左衛門) Onaka TV film Onmitsu Kuzure II: Lullaby From Hell(隠密くずれII 地獄の子守唄) Shizu TV film Shadow Warriors III(影の軍団III) Tezuma no Ochō 15 episodes Kirisute Gomen!(斬り捨て御免!) Osae 1 episode/Ep. 2 of season 3 1982–1983 Yagyu Jubei Abaretabi(柳生十兵衛あばれ旅) Akane Yagyū 26 episodes/lead1983 Apron Obasan(エプロンおばさん) Haruko 1 episode/Ep. 13 Tenshi no Fukushū(天使の復讐) TV film Pounding Policewoman(どきどき婦警さん) TV film Seishun Zengofukaku(青春前後不覚) Mito Kōmon(水戸黄門) Teru-hime / Komatayū Ichimura 1 episode/Ep. 3 of season 141984 Wonderful Circus Guy(素晴らしきサーカス野郎) Yukari TV film Bark at the Sun!(太陽にほえろ!) Keiko Matsumoto 1 episode/Ep. 590 Kinyōbi no Tsuma-tachi e II, Otoko-tachi yo, Genki Kai?(金曜日の妻たちへII、男たちよ、元気かい？) Chika Ōishi Oretachi no Atsui Kaze(俺たちの熱い風) TV film Abare Kyūan(暴れ九庵) Oyū 1 episode/Ep. 131985 Dark Window(暗い窓) Misuho Kishida TV film Shadow Warriors IV(影の軍団IV) Oren 5 episodes Abduction Scramble(誘拐スクランブル) TV film Red Shadow: The Masked Ninja(仮面の忍者 赤影) Mai-hime TV film Shadow Warriors(影の軍団 幕末編) Oren 2 episodes/Ep. 7,91986 Tonderu Keishi(翔んでる警視) Mizue Shimura TV film Oyako Game(親子ゲーム) Kayo Mitsuishi 1987 Tekidōshi Sukidōshi(敵同志好き同志) Michi Asai(浅井未知) Soreyuke Kujaku Keishi(それゆけ孔雀警視)Shōko ŌginoTV film Sutandobaimī Kimagure Hakusho(スタンドバイミー 〜気まぐれ白書〜) Toshiko Kurata(倉田利子)

Theater

Miscellaneous Discography Singles:

13 Steps of Maki – 13階段のマキ (1975) Silhouette – 影法師 (1975) Saturday Night of Love – 恋のサタディー・ナイト (1977) Only Two at the Wedding – ふたりだけの結婚式 (1977) I dance like tomorrow – 明日よ風に舞え (1982) Airmail in the Southern Sands – 南のーー砂のエアメール (1984)

Albums:

Female Killing Fist – Calling on Etsuko Shihomi!! – 女必殺拳 志穂美悦子参上!! (1976) Saturday Night of Love – 恋のサタディー・ナイト (1977) Three Dimension (1983) (also released on CD in 1985)

Books Shihomi Etsuko : Endless Road to action (1976) Actress : Shihomi Etsuko (1981) Flower Arrangement INSPIRE ～いちかばちか～ Vol.1 (2011) Flower Fighting INSPIRE ～いちかばちか～ Vol.2 (2012) Flower Arrangement Works INSPIRE 3 In New York (2013)