A Tribute To Yumi Shirakawa - (The Japanese Grace Kelly)

Shirakawa, whose real name was Akiko Yamasaki, was born on 21st November, 1936 in Shinagawa, Tokyo.

In 1956 at just 19 years old, Yumi Shirakawa joined Toho. By the end of that year, Toho gave Shirakawa her first starring role in Rodan (Sora no Daikaiju Radon, 1956). Director Ishiro Honda cast her in his subsequent science fiction films, The Mysterians (1957) and The H-man (1958). Rodan and The H-man are both featured in this blog. 

Yumi Shirakawa’s roles in science fiction films during the Golden Age of Japanese cinema, for which she is mostly remembered include;

Rodan (1956) as Kiyo, Kenji Sahara's character's love interest. 

The Mysterians (1957) as Etsuko Shiraishi. 

The H-Man (1958) as Chikako Arai.

The Secret of the Telegian (1960) as Akiko Chujo. 

The Last War (1961) as Sanae. 

Gorath (1962) as Tomoko Sonoda. 

Apart from her roles in “tokusatsu” or effects films, Shirakawa was featured in many comedies, musicals, dramas and "chanbara" (samurai/swordsman films.)

In 1964 she married actor Hideaki Nitani after which Shirakawa successfully transitioned to television.

Shirakawa was married to Hideaki Nitani until his death in 2012. Shirakawa passed away due to heart failure on June 14, 2016 in Tokyo, at the age of 79 and she is survived by her daughter, actress Yurie Nitani.

Tribute film by Spanish Films at;

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCecL5MZOfGY5nHJm2x0VcdQ/featured

Yumi Shrakawa:

with style & grace