Walking Through the Profile of an Era: Ichikawa Haruyo, 1913-2004

Walking Through the Profile of an Era: Ichikawa Haruyo, 1913-2004

Haruyo Ichikawa's journey is also a record of how she, as an actress, directly confronted the turbulent times of the prewar, wartime, and postwar periods. During the prewar golden age, amid the blossoming of modern urban culture, she radiated a dazzling presence, presenting audiences with a new image of womanhood. As the war intensified, many films took on a nationalistic tone, and she too lost the freedom to choose her roles within those harsh times. Yet, emerging from these hardships, her postwar rebirth saw her evolve into a maternal figure embodying both strength and gentleness, a mature woman who brought quiet reassurance to audiences. As Japan entered its period of rapid economic growth and societal values began to shift dramatically, her steady presence became cherished by viewers as a symbol of "what remains unchanged." Haruyo Ichikawa was a rare actress who quietly traversed the shifting landscapes of her era.