Born in Kumamoto City, Shimada Yoko rose to international fame with her portrayal of Mariko in the 1980 mini-series Shogun, introducing Japan's culture and history to a global audience. Her captivating performance earned her the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a TV-Series - Drama category in 1981, as well as a Prime-time Emmy Award nomination.
Prior to her breakout role in Shogun, Shimada had been actively pursuing a career in acting for years. With a childhood passion for ballet, she began training at the tender age of three, aiming to become a professional ballerina. However, her interests shifted in her high school days, and she turned her focus to acting.
Shimada's family relocated to Tokyo when she was just eight years old. She obtained an agent and started acting while still in junior high school. Her early success came with the TV serial Zoku Hyouten, which launched her career in 1970.
In 1992, at the age of 39, Shimada released a nude photo book titled Kir Royal, which became a bestseller, selling over half a million copies. Decades later, at 57, she made a bold move by starring in an 'AV' pornography video called Mikkai in 2011, a testament to her physique even in her later years.
Shimada has also made arrangements for a space burial, leaving a lasting impression on the world.
