Takako Matsu

Takako Matsu, born Takako Fujima on June 10, 1977 in Tokyo, Japan, comes from a distinguished lineage of traditional Japanese performers. Her father is the celebrated kabuki actor Matsumoto Hakuō II, and her mother Noriko Fujima is a businesswoman with ties to the arts; she is also related to renowned actors such as Nakamura Kichiemon II and Matsumoto Kōshirō X. Raised in an environment that valued buyō and kabuki, Matsu began her stage career at the Kabuki‑za with the production Ninjō‑banashi: Bunshichi Mottoi in 1993, quickly demonstrating a natural affinity for both dramatic and musical expression. After completing her early education at Shirayuri Gakuen, which prohibited entertainment work, she transferred to Horikoshi High School to pursue acting full‑time. Her television breakthrough arrived with the NHK drama Hana no Ran and later the popular series Long Vacation, which cemented her reputation as a versatile young actress. Matsu’s music debut came in 1997 with the single “Ashita, Haru ga Kitara,” a song that she initially approached with hesitation but eventually embraced as a rare opportunity, leading to a successful pop career under the BMG Japan and later Universal Music Japan labels. Over the years she released multiple albums such as Sora no Kagami and Harvest Songs, and earned critical acclaim for her acting with a Best Actress win at the 28th Japan Academy Prize for The Hidden Blade. In 2007 she married guitarist and producer Yoshiyuki Sahashi, adopting the married name Takako Sahashi, and gave birth to a daughter in March 2015. More recently, Matsu joined an international ensemble of voice actors to perform “Into the Unknown” at the 92nd Academy Awards, showcasing her enduring appeal across both screen and stage. Her career, spanning from 1993 to the present, reflects a seamless blend of traditional heritage and contemporary artistry, making her one of Japan’s most respected actresses and singers.