Chouko Iida, a talented actress born in 1897, in the historic district of Asakusa, Tokyo, began her journey in the entertainment industry after dropping out of high school and working as a clerk at the renowned Matsuzakaya Department Store.
She joined the Nakamura Matsugoro Acting Company, and her exceptional acting skills soon caught the attention of a director at Shochiku Kamata Productions, leading to her debut in the film "Shinyuku Tsuma" (The Dying Wife) in 1922.
Iida's subsequent roles in "Gamaguchi" (A Purse) and "Goikenmuyo" (Useless Opinions),alongside Jun Arai, solidified her position as a rising star in Japanese cinema.
After marrying cameraman Hideaki Mohara, she appeared in a series of films directed by Godokoro Hiranosuke, including "Okame" (The Turtle),"Ukiyoeburo" (The Bath of the Floating World),and "Onna to Umaretakaranya" (Because I Was Born to Be a Woman).
Iida also co-starred with Takeshi Sakamoto in the successful films "Dekigokoro" (Acting on Impulse),"Ukigusa Monogatari", and "Tokyo no yado" (A Japanese Inn in Tokyo),which were part of a notable series by Yasujiro Ozu.
Throughout her illustrious career, Iida received numerous accolades, including the Jujo Murasaki award in 1963 and the Tanho award's fourth prize in 1967.
Sadly, Iida passed away in 1972 at the age of 75, due to lung cancer, leaving behind a legacy of remarkable performances that continue to inspire and captivate audiences to this day.
