Shima Iwashita

is a Japanese stage and film actress who has appeared in films of Yasujirō Ozu, Keisuke Kinoshita, Masaki Kobayashi and most frequently of Masahiro Shinoda, her husband. She is best known for starring in the Yakuza Wives series of yakuza films between 1986 and 1998. In 2000, Iwashita ranked tenth on Kinema Junpos readers' poll of the top female movie stars of the 20th century. In 2025, she was ranked fourth in a poll conducted by Sankei Shimbun on the top actresses of the Shōwa era.

Biography Iwashita was born in Tokyo, Japan, as the eldest daughter of Kiyoshi Nonomura and Miyoko Yamagishi, both stage actors. The River Fuefuki Ume Late Autumn woman at reception desk 1961 Enraptured

Harakiri Miho Tsugumo An Autumn Afternoon Michiko Hirayama

Twin Sisters of Kyoto Chieko / Naeko Lead role A Legend or Was It? Koeko Sonobe Lead role 1964 Assassination Oren 1965 Sword of the Beast Taka 1966 The Kii River 1967 Portrait of Chieko Chieko Takamura Lead role

Double Suicide Koharu / Osan Red Lion Tomi 1971 Silence Kiku 1974 Himiko Himiko Lead role 1977 Ballad of Orin Orin Lead role

The Demon Oume Lead role Bandits vs. Samurai Squadron Chiyo

Suspicion Ritsuko Sahara Lead role Onimasa Uta Kiryuin

MacArthur's Children Tome Fireflies in the North Yu Nakamura 1985 The Empty Table Kiwa Nakahara

Gonza the Spearman Osai Yakuza Wives Tamaki Awazu Lead role 1990 Childhood Days Shizue Kazama 1993 Kozure Ōkami: Sono Chiisaki Te ni Oharu 1995 Sharaku Troupe Leader 1997 Moonlight Serenade Fuji 1999 Owls' Castle Kita no Mandokoro 2003 Spy Sorge Mrs. Konoe

Television

Awards and honours (selected) 1961: Blue Ribbon Newcomer Award 1977–78: Blue Ribbon Award, Mainichi Film Award and Kinema Junpo Award for Best Actress in Ballad of Orin 1988: Kinuyo Tanaka Award (1988) 2004: Medal with Purple Ribbon 2012: Order of the Rising Sun, 4th Class, Gold Rays with Rosette