<figure id="attachment_221443" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 2120px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-221443"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="288d5e95"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2021/12/KA1_6707mod-1.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-221443" class="wp-caption-text">One month before her sudden death, Sayaka left the Imperial Theater with a light step, as if she were dancing. She was smiling and working hard at her rehearsals.</figcaption></figure>
<p>Sayaka was not the victim of her parents&#8217; influence. Sayaka Kanda, 35, born to Seiko Matsuda, 59, and Masateru Kanda, 71, two of the most famous stars of the Showa era, rose to become a top actress on her own merits. It was Sayaka&#8217;s dream to play the lead role in the musical &#8220;My Fair Lady&#8221;.</p>
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<p>It has been a month since Ms. Kanda passed away. On November 22 last year, FRIDAY spotted Sayaka leaving the Imperial Theater after the lunchtime performance. Dressed in a white coat, Sayaka raised her right hand as if dancing and stepped lightly. It was a tragedy just when things seemed to be sailing smoothly.</p>
<p>We will never be able to hear the voice that charmed so many people again. &#8230;&#8230;</p>
<figure id="attachment_221448" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1450px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-221448"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="7fb3a26a"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2021/12/SH5_4342-a_original.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-221448" class="wp-caption-text">A shot of Sayaka and her ex-husband Murata at their wedding party in Tokyo in May 2005. They were at the height of their happiness.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_221444" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 2021px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-221444"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="18bf723a"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2021/12/R028131.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-221444" class="wp-caption-text">In May &#8217;11, Sayaka was enjoying a yakiniku (grilled meat) date with an actor she was dating. Like Seiko, Sayaka&#8217;s life was full of love.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_221446" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1518px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-221446"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="bdbfeccc"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2021/12/870904_001.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-221446" class="wp-caption-text">Kanda and Seiko hold Sayaka in the parking lot in front of their house in August 1987. Seiko gazing lovingly at Sayaka is impressive.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_221445" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 2155px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-221445"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="62ca8d94"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2021/12/6SH_2427a_original.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-221445" class="wp-caption-text">Seiko returns to Tokyo with Sayaka&#8217;s remains after the final farewell in Sapporo.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_221447" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1644px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-221447"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="487ca512"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2021/12/SH5_4198_original.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-221447" class="wp-caption-text">Kanda looked exhausted and downcast.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_221449" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 2046px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-221449"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="2e09742a"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2021/12/KA1_6695mod.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-221449" class="wp-caption-text">A cut from the magazine Sayaka Kanda&#8217;s &#8220;Dance of Smiles&#8221; one month before her sudden death</figcaption></figure>
<p>From &#8220;FRIDAY&#8221; January 7-14, 2022 issue</p>


 Takahiro Kagawa, Tetuko Takemoto, Shinji Hasuo, Shinya Inui

 A month before her sudden death, Sayaka Kanda was caught leaving the Imperial Theater with a light-footed gait. A month before her sudden death, Sayaka Kanda was caught leaving the Imperial Theater with a light step.

Sayaka Kanda shows off her “smile dance” after her stage performance in November

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