<figure id="attachment_404315" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 516px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-404315"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="ccbb4d0b"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/12/1cfc619fb98012d5b438f214f22705c7.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-404315" class="wp-caption-text"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The transistor glamour of those days that took the gravure world by storm is alive and well</span></figcaption></figure>
<p><b>&#8220;When I took a break from showbiz, I was actually prepared to retire. That’s why I’m both happy and surprised to be able to do another photoshoot like this.&#8221;</b></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With the same charm she had back in the day and a sweet smile on her face, Reiko Kato (55), the legendary gravure queen, spoke these words.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Kato had stepped away from gravure after the release of her 1998 photobook </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">FRAGILE</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Furthermore, she put her entertainment career on hold following her marriage in 2001. Despite frequent calls for her return to gravure, it hadn’t materialized—until now.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Finally, this legendary figure, who continued to receive offers from the industry, made a bold decision. She made her long-awaited return after 26 years in the December 20 issue of </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">FRIDAY</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p>
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<h2><b>The reason why she decided to appear in &#8220;FRIDAY”</b></h2>
<p><b>&#8220;Back then, it was a bubble era where going on overseas shoots for an entire week was the norm, and all photos were shot on film. We couldn’t reshoot, so there was this constant tension, and we’d check the developed photos through a loupe (laughs). Now, you can immediately check the photos on a computer and adjust expressions with, ‘Let’s try this next!’ The adaptability is amazing. I found today’s conveniences impressive, but I also enjoyed the excitement of those days.&#8221;</b></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Her composure as a seasoned professional who has experienced countless shoots is remarkable. But why did she choose FRIDAY out of the many offers she received?</span></p>
<p><b>&#8220;The biggest reason was an offer from a female editor in her 30s who didn’t know me back then. She said, ‘I’d love to see Reiko Kato’s gravure. Let’s create a beautiful work that appeals not just to men but also to women.’ That was the deciding factor for me. I couldn’t quite imagine how it would turn out, and that uncertainty made me excited instead.&#8221;</b></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The paid edition, FRIDAY GOLD, features the full interview with Reiko Kato and many unpublished cuts from the shoot.</span></p>
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<div data-friday-gold-link-url="https://friday.gold/article/299685" data-friday-gold-link-title="FRIDAY Exclusive! Advance Cut &amp; Interview] Reiko Katou descends to the world of gravure for the first time in 26 years! The main reason why I decided to take on this challenge: ......" data-friday-gold-link-excerpt="When I took a break from performing, I was actually ready to retire. I'm happy and surprised to be able to shoot again like this,&quot; says the &quot;legendary gravure queen&quot; with a cute smile on her face, while keeping the face she had back then." data-friday-gold-link-thumbnail-wide="https://assets.friday.gold/friday-wp-production-assets/app/uploads/2024/12/a98b1120712ae2558c294773114e59b3-11152647022640.png/v/crop-faces:width=256,height=144/format:type=webp?Expires=4102444800&amp;Key-Pair-Id=K2H5GZZHVJCN4V&amp;Signature=tEffXzVKAuazu1buz1Js18-GVlU5W49MkRUHiApJRjsYOrE2-a1BhMQ6HitUGPQCBnGJFI-ZE~iHN1v9wjE3OFpn5kgpT48hSpWQkbtC0I7TNhipt5Y7E0SY4VioVNlOefFbwBhqwZzQCSuQhwX6sQgKGe7JQ644aLgJvnrGMCDZjLe6-1mAfOX3tgD-qqSAnaCfg6ZoUNI3Ncqjt1fWKyriiPNWApv~fZ04Y8Np8Tzw2B1i5nJ9BjRXQXpranNCYrE8mNSLEittKOhe0DhrS-nBJ5BQZqIE0RZwGkHg6EL9dQvKhFDww7BAO9HJ66fg0mmjvJDt90MOAd~PMgtqTw__" data-friday-gold-link-thumbnail-square="https://assets.friday.gold/friday-wp-production-assets/app/uploads/2024/12/a98b1120712ae2558c294773114e59b3-11152647022640.png/v/crop-faces:width=105,height=105/format:type=webp?Expires=4102444800&amp;Key-Pair-Id=K2H5GZZHVJCN4V&amp;Signature=uMsyln9~yailAhvCjlemvCpfpG8~AAK3IhGcyuk7e7xpGpEEvUUMV46B7N8soP0F8h9p9jNR3ju8jhO~TAqkXvGIVGs01Ud3~SK7pN4ecoC51CnxHLg0pph2Bx27PDHPKtEYW8DNlMTBk60SPCukDg~V8XG~dBg9ksWRX6-OOjuFGgXNbukerNwtfo~LkTEHwzMeY0zn6z3LBRg4f5Kp-VDxPYBbahWZ-BsNBF6uFzWJ4iJttSdO52KDM-ZgOV8gjPvuRIWz0Q0tt6uKLkPeUNVXTrc1gq5xUKvX~4nwuSi3wUr6w~1dlTK~U5H99vyJ7IGFE85bkygeJrlTTTtKGg__"></div>
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<div data-friday-nextpage-lead="Too sexy! Treasured photos"></div>
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<figure id="attachment_404323" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 516px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-404323"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="2e626ea9"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/12/4c5fd8da192f6e49dc6c7962ac11ecfa.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-404323" class="wp-caption-text"><span style="font-weight: 400;">A beautiful profile that perfectly complements the stunning scenery of Lake Kawaguchi.</span></figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_404354" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 571px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-404354"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="a852cabc"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/12/cae2092c8b1fb579814b7d9605621a6f.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-404354" class="wp-caption-text"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Kato enjoying a round of golf / From her personal Instagram.</span></figcaption></figure>
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<figure id="attachment_404353" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1179px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-404353"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="e8783d87"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/12/c10a61cc237b564a7906df25dc419f45.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-404353" class="wp-caption-text"><span style="font-weight: 400;">She enjoyed a vacation in Hawaii this year / From her personal Instagram.</span></figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_372061" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1280px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-372061"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="45c46b2f"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/05/a9d8f29a232852f83189b45c03bb9633.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-372061" class="wp-caption-text"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Photo from back then (1) / From the 1993 photobook </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Secret Love</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (Photography by Tadayasu Ozawa).</span></figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_372062" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1280px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-372062"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="928b7cff"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/05/8da6f7b9c5d682e3c168620317ebeca3.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-372062" class="wp-caption-text"><span style="font-weight: 400;">From the 1993 photobook Secret Love (Photography by Tadayasu Ozawa).</span></figcaption></figure>
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 Mikifumi Sannomiya

 Mayumi Ando

 Yuki Toyama

 Reiko Katou, who has dominated the gravure world as a campaign gal, including Clarion Girl and Asahi Beer Image Girl, is photographed for the first time in 26 years! She revealed the reason why she decided to appear and the challenges she took on at this point in her career.

Reiko Kato Returns to Gravure After 26 Years: Her Reason for Choosing FRIDAY

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