Kimiko Ikegami, a renowned Japanese actress, was born on January 16, 1959, in Manhattan, New York City. At the tender age of three, she relocated to Kyoto, Japan, where she would spend the majority of her childhood.
Kimiko's family has a rich history in the world of kabuki acting, with her grandfather being the eighth, her uncle the ninth, and her cousin the tenth to bear the name Bandō Mitsugorō. The encouragement she received from her cousin played a significant role in her decision to pursue a career in acting.
Kimiko made her television debut in 1975, appearing in the NHK show Maboroshi no Pen Friend and Ai to Makoto on TV Tokyo. The same year, she ventured into film with a role in Hadashi no Seishun (Shochiku). Throughout her illustrious career, she has portrayed a wide range of characters in various genres, including Taiga drama series.
Some of her notable roles include Ōhime Kusa Moeru in the 1979 series, Chacha in the 1981 series Onna Taikō-ki, Lady Tsukiyama in the 1983 series Tokugawa Ieyasu, and Eri in the 1983 series Takeda Shingen. Her other notable jidaigeki roles include Sumi in the 1988 NHK series Miyamoto Musashi, Okon in the 1989 series Tōyama no Kin-san, and Nami in the 2003 TV Tokyo series Chūshingura: Ketsudan no Toki.
In addition to her work in television and film, Kimiko has also explored her musical talents, recording a song titled Nagasarete on the Victor Entertainment label. The song was released in 1984 and served as the theme song for the show Kiryūin Hanako no Shōgai.
Throughout her career, Kimiko has received numerous accolades, including the 1990 Japan Jewellery Association Best Dresser Award. She continues to be a prominent figure in the Japanese entertainment industry, frequently appearing as a guest star on television series such as Mito Kōmon.
