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

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.”