Hiroko Seki

Birth : 1929-07-30, Tokyo

Death : 2008-05-11

History

Hiroko Seki ( 関弘子), whose real name is Kanze Hiroko ( 観世弘子) , born in Tokyo on July 30, 1929 and died on May 11, 2008, is a Japanese actress . Trained at the Gekidan Haiyūza theater in Tokyo, she co-founded the Gekidan Seinenza troupe in 1954. She married Hideo Kanze in 1969, a master of noh, a form of classical Japanese theater. She has performed for both television and theater, notably Noh plays and text readings. She participated in the dubbing of two animated films by Hayao Miyazaki: Kiki's Delivery Service and Porco Rosso. She died of pneumonia at 78 years old.

Movies

Porco Rosso

Bâ-chan (voice)

In Italy in the 1930s, sky pirates in biplanes terrorize wealthy cruise ships as they sail the Adriatic Sea. The only pilot brave enough to stop the scourge is the mysterious Porco Rosso, a former World War I flying ace who was somehow turned into a pig during the war. As he prepares to battle the pirate crew's American ace, Porco Rosso enlists the help of spunky girl mechanic Fio Piccolo and his longtime friend Madame Gina.

Tales of a Golden Geisha

The film stars two of Itami's regular actors, Nobuko Miyamoto as a geisha who brings luck to the men with whom she sleeps, and Masahiko Tsugawa as her unfaithful, sometimes partner. As well as showing her relationships with the man she loves and the men who employ her, it satirizes corruption and the influence of money in Japanese politics.

Kiki's Delivery Service

Barsa (voice)

A young witch, on her mandatory year of independent life, finds fitting into a new community difficult while she supports herself by running an air courier service.

The Funeral

Teacher in Videotape

When Wabisuke's father-in-law unexpectedly dies, the family goes through a series of random events and occurrences as the funeral unfolds over three days in their home.

Mermaid Legend

Nobu

After a woman is framed for the murder of her fisherman husband, she seeks out a bloody revenge on the corrupt businessmen responsible.

Season of the Sun

The film tells the story of a group of high school boxing team members who spend their days drinking, sailing and chasing girls, and who more often than not spend their nights getting into brawls. In particular, it focuses upon Tatsuya, a sullen young man, who falls in love with Eiko, a proud upper-class girl.

A Hole of My Own Making

Nobuko is a widow who lives with her daughter-in-law Tamiko and her brother Junjiro. The family's gatekeeper, Komatsu, is attracted to Tamiko, but she is encouraged to marry a doctor and he is afraid to tell her his feelings.

Tales of Ginza

"Bar Encore" Chaa

In the thriving Tokyo neighborhood of Ginza, a woman in the process of selling her estranged husband’s art collection attempts to identify the man who painted her own portrait fifteen years prior.

Till We Meet Again

Dressmaking Shop Clerk Teruko

Sonejiro sacrifices all comfort to devote himself to research. Young housewife Yachiyo is disappointed with her husband Kappei, who is more attracted to mountain climbing and another girl. When Yachiyo’s father is introduced to Sonejiro, good will turns evil, and all happiness is at stake.

一等女房と三等亭主

Tamago (Maid)

Koibito-tachi no iru machi

Mr. Baku, a sandwich man, was familiar to his neighbors because he was a natural friend of Ryotaro Yanaka. Yoshie, the sign girl of the coffee shop, is the lover of Douta Kuraishi, the manager of Cabaret Orion.

Dispersed Clouds

Yoshiko Miki

Five women classmates from a college in Tokyo are on the first stretch of a walking tour when one of them, Masako, falls ill at a railway station. Osen, a middle-aged maid from a nearby inn, takes her in and nurses her, assisted by Dr. Minami, a young physician who diagnoses her illness as a mild case of pneumonia. With Masako in good hands and needing a few days to recuperate, her classmates continue their tour. Masako’s recovery, however, is hampered by her spoiled and immature nature and her determination to punish the world for the loss of her mother.