Yoneko Sakai(1898-1958)
- Actress
Sakai Yoneko was famous for playing the part of strong-willed female
characters for which her striking facial features made her ideal. Born
in 1898 in Tokyo, she moved into acting at an early age, appearing in
George Bernard Show's famous play Umadorobo when she was only twelve.
She had a harsh experience at the Geijutsu company where she was
treated badly by Matsui Sumako, but she rose above this and in 1920
joined Nikkatsu. She costarred in Tanaka Eizo's films Asahi Sasumae and
Nagareyuku Onna, and later played mature roles in Tabino Onna Geinin
and Aino Mibojin with Umemura Yoko. Sakai became the leading actress in
Nikkatsu samurai films such as Omitsu to Seizaburo under director
Murata Minoru, and she is particularly remembered for the role Okinu in
the film Kutsukake Tokijiro in which she costarred with Okochi Denjiro.
She died in 1958 after a long and successful film career.
