Actress Shima Iwashita Shares Secret Stories of Intense Love Scenes with 50-Year Friend Akira Nakao

They also had an intense love scene

Actor Akira Nakao, who passed away from heart failure on May 16 of last year, had a 50-year-long friendship with Shima Iwashita, who co-starred with him in numerous works, including the Gokudo no Tsuma-tachi series. Iwashita opened up about their lesser-known relationship and shared memories of Nakao (the following are all Iwashita’s words).

In 1971, we became close after co-starring in the Shochiku film Utsumi no Wa based on a novel by Seicho Matsumoto. The story involved Nakao, playing my brother-in-law, and me, playing a married woman who falls into a forbidden love. The film had many intense love scenes.

During the nights, we often stayed at a ryokan near the studio due to the long hours of shooting. I was captivated by Nakao’s knowledgeable and curious personality. Despite the many intense love scenes, Nakao always approached them as just part of the actor’s job, so it was easy for me to work with him. The fact that we were able to remain wonderful friends for over 50 years has become a treasure for me.

Younger people today might only know Nakao’s appearances on information and variety programs, but he was an actor who could play any role—whether a yakuza or a timid man.

For example, in Gokudo no Tsuma-tachi (1986-1998), where I played the lead, Nakao portrayed a yakuza role. When the shooting began, his gaze became intense, and he transformed into a character that felt like the real deal. But once the director called “cut,” he would immediately return to his usual self, making everyone laugh with his jokes.

I tend to stay in character during shooting, even in between scenes, so I would maintain a serious expression. During those times, in winter, Nakao would naturally pull me over to the “gandara” (drum stove) and seat me in the best spot, helping me relax.

Since it was a yakuza movie, there were many actors playing yakuza roles. Nakao, however, portrayed a unique yakuza who, in one scene, used an ear pick as a prop and would clean his ears during the shoot. He brought his personal touch to the role while aligning with the director’s vision, leaving everyone around him in awe.

The lovebirds side of the couple

Nakao and I often played opposing yakuza bosses or rivals in power struggles within the same gang, so we were always at odds in every film. In the fourth film, “The Last Battle,” there was a scene where I held a gun to Nakao’s temple while he was on a stretcher being taken away by an ambulance.

As I held the gun to his temple and waited for the cue, Nakao, lying on the stretcher, whispered softly, “Shima-chan, could you move the gun a little?” He muttered in a voice that was barely audible, “It’s a little scary,” and it was so cute—I still can’t forget that moment.

He was also an excellent cook, and in 1991, he and his wife, Shino Ikenami, published “Uchi no Teryori: Futari de Tanoshimu Ryori to Osake” (Our Homemade Cooking: Dishes and Drinks to Enjoy Together) through Kodansha. I was amazed when I received a copy—how could someone cook such elaborate dishes? Born in the Showa era, he came from the “men don’t cook” generation, yet he could cook, paint, and was skilled at pottery, being a graduate of an art university. His many talents and hobbies likely contributed to his success on information and variety shows.

He had a trademark of twisting his scarf into a twist and was always stylish. He could respond to everything, from discussions about pandas to harsh political commentary, with sharp wit. Even when his expressions seemed harsh in print, he would add humor, so nothing came across as too harsh. To be a commentator, you have to be well-versed in everything, from street gossip to international affairs, and Nakao knew it all. I was always amazed at how much he knew.

His last work was “Sanctuary,” a Netflix series. Venturing into the new platform of online streaming was very much in line with Nakao’s nature. He never showed any signs of illness or aging, always sensing the roles he was expected to fulfill, and his passing was just as fitting—Nakao to the end.

After Nakao passed away, I was watching TV and saw a commercial featuring him and his wife, along with Fukuda Suzuki, laughing and chatting together. It was heartwarming to see them so relaxed and enjoying the shoot. 

But whenever I see that commercial, a sense of sadness wells up, and I realize, “Oh, Nakao-chan is really gone now.”