“Even a unilateral declaration of divorce…” Tamao Nakamura Passes Away: “Love” with Renowned Actor Shintaro Katsu and a Turbulent Acting Career

Sanma Akashiya and Ken Matsudaira were also in attendance at the wake

Actress and TV personality Tamao Nakamura, who appeared in numerous movies and TV dramas, passed away on June 9 due to pneumonia. She was 86.

A wake was held on the 16th, attended by comedian Sanma Akashiya (70), singer Akiko Wada (76), TV announcer Kazuo Tokumitsu (85), actress Miyoko Asada (70),and actor Ken Matsudaira (72)—among many other entertainers who admired her—made an appearance.

She gained popularity for her “airhead” persona on variety shows such as *Sanma’s SUPER Karakuri TV* (TBS), and she was also known as a “loving couple” for her unwavering support of the legendary actor Shintaro Katsu (who died in 1997 at age 65), a maverick known for his frequent scandals and controversies.

Born on July 12, 1939, in Kyoto City, Tamao grew up in a prestigious Kabuki family—her father was Kabuki actor Nakamura Ganjiro II, and her older brother was Sakata Tōjūrō IV. She made her film debut in 1953, while in her second year at Kyoto Girls’ Junior High School, in the Shochiku film *Keiko to Yukie*.The following year, she signed an exclusive contract with Daiei and won the Blue Ribbon Award for Best Supporting Actress for her roles in Kon Ichikawa’s *Bonchi* (1960) and *Daibosatsu Pass: The Dragon God Scroll* (1960), starring Raizō Ichikawa.

In *Echizen Bamboo Dolls* (1963), she played the role of a courtesan and friend to the heroine Tamae (played by Fumiko Wakao), for which she won the Mainichi Film Awards Best Supporting Actress Award, solidifying her status as an actress. She went on to play prominent supporting roles in numerous films and television dramas.

She was also known for her diverse career, gaining popularity on *Karakuri TV* by showcasing her naturally quirky personality and engaging in witty banter with host Sanma Akashiya, as well as becoming a household name through her appearances in *Marony* commercials.

She also made headlines in the entertainment media for her tumultuous marriage to Shintaro Katsu.

They first appeared together in 1955 in *The Cicada Sings*, starring Shintaro Katsu.As they continued to co-star in films such as *Akumei* (1961), Katsu fell in love with her, and they became engaged in 1961. In 1962, they held their wedding ceremony at the Imperial Hotel, with Daiei President Masakazu Nagata (at the time) acting as matchmaker.

At the time, Katsu was one of Daiei’s “two leading stars,” alongside Raizō Ichikawa, and their marriage—between a top silver-screen star and the beloved daughter of a Kansai Kabuki grandmaster, who was also an up-and-coming actress—caused a huge sensation.

The inner strength of a Kyoto woman

Katsu-san took the world by storm with the *Akumei* and *Zatoichi* series.Amid all this, I covered press conferences such as the one in 1978—when her manager was arrested for opium possession and Katsu was referred to prosecutors (with prosecution suspended) on suspicion of temporarily holding the opium—as well as the one in 1981 when Katsu Productions went bankrupt with 1.2 billion yen in debt.

In 1990, she was arrested upon arrival at Honolulu Airport in Hawaii for hiding marijuana and cocaine in her underwear, and at the press conference,

“I’m never wearing underwear again”

—causing a stir with such memorable remarks. Despite his unconventional nature, rumors of a “divorce crisis” surfaced several times amid his various incidents and scandals. However, Tamao never divorced him; she sometimes stood her ground against the media and continued to support him until his death in 1997 at the age of 65.

In fact, there was a divorce scandal in 1971 that could be described as decisive.

“It’s said that the cause was Tamao interfering in Katsu Pro’s business affairs. This led to a marital argument, and when Tamao said something suggesting she wanted a divorce, Katsu unilaterally declared he wanted a divorce late at night, causing a huge uproar. But Tamao refused to agree to the divorce, and a month later, Katsu relented and withdrew his declaration.It has also been reported that Daiei President Nagata stepped in to mediate,” said a film industry insider.

Regarding this incident, film critic Hajime Takizawa stated,

“In 1971, she remained completely unfazed by Katsu Shintaro’s unilateral declaration of divorce and smoothly brought her wayward husband back into line, demonstrating the inner strength of a Kyoto woman” (from *Complete Collection of Japanese Film Actors: Actresses Edition*, Kinema Junpo, 1980)

“He pointed out.

Perhaps overcoming this marital crisis at that time created a strong bond—as if forged by the “God of Cinema”—between the two, who had starred in numerous films together during Daiei’s golden age and had fallen in love and married among their fellow actors.

In September 1976, while starring in Toho’s *The Mother on the Quay*, Tamao once spoke about her married life with Masaru. When it was time to sleep, he would say, “Wake me up at such-and-such a time tomorrow,” and when she went to wake him up at that time,

“Why are you waking me up when I’m sleeping so soundly?”

and get scolded. While this could easily lead to a marital spat,

“But since every day is a serious battle, that’s probably why he gets so tired,”

These were words unique to Tamao, who stood by Katsu as he poured his heart and soul into his films, while she herself continued to give her all—both as an actress and as a wife.

On June 21, 2022, she posted a photo on her Instagram showing a family gathering with Mr. Katsu, their eldest daughter Masami as a child, and their eldest son, actor Ganryu (who passed away in 2019 at the age of 55), and wrote:

“Today, June 21, is the anniversary of my husband, Shintaro Katsu’s, passing. He passed away 25 years ago, and I hear he would have turned 90 this year if he were still alive. Well, I pray every day with my hands together and talk to his portrait.This year, I’m planning to post various photos of my husband on Instagram and look back on his life, hoping to create an opportunity for younger people to get to know him. I would be happy if you could take a moment today to remember my husband, even just a little.〉

she wrote.

“And today’s word is ‘te.’ It’s the kind of word I feel like Papa would have said,”

She also added a bit of humor based on a line from Katsu-san.

This refers to the infamous line Katsu uttered at the aforementioned 1981 press conference announcing the bankruptcy of Katsu Pro.

“Shintaro Katsu will fight against 1.2 billion yen in debt and pay it back for sure,”

he said; on the other hand,

“Since (the creditors) said they wanted a promissory note, I smeared ink on my hand, stamped it on a piece of paper, signed it, and handed it over—only to be told that wasn’t a valid promissory note.”

—this “Katsu-style” joke about a bill of exchange, which took everyone by surprise, sparked laughter even during a bankruptcy press conference, which was quite memorable. It was likely with this in mind that Tamao used the word “te.”

Ms. Tamao deeply admired Mr. Katsu as an actor, stood by his side through various hardships, and left a significant mark on the film and entertainment industries herself. It was truly a magnificent acting career filled with love and turmoil… I bow my head in respect.