Ayako Fujitani (藤谷 文子, Fujitani Ayako, born December 7, 1979) is a Japanese actress and writer.[1] She acts and writes in both Japanese and English.
Ayako Fujitani | |
|---|---|
| 藤谷 文子 | |
| Born | Ayako Faith Fujitani December 7, 1979 Osaka, Japan |
| Other names | Ayako Seagal |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, writer |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Known for | Tokyo! 2008 |
| Height | 1.63 m (5 ft 4 in) |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Parents |
|
Early life
editAyako Faith Fujitani was born in Osaka, Japan. She is the daughter of Steven Seagal by his first wife, aikido master Miyako Fujitani. Her parents separated when she was about eight years old. She resided in Los Angeles during her teenage years.
Career
editActing
editIn 1995, Fujitani made her cinematic debut at age 13 starring in the cult classic Gamera: Guardian of the Universe directed by Shusuke Kaneko. She reprised her role in subsequent films in the series and also featured in an episode of Ultraman Max. In 2000, she played the lead role in the movie Shiki-Jitsu. In 2008, she played the role of Hiroko in the anthology film Tokyo!, [2] directed by Leos Carax, Bong Joon-Ho and Michel Gondry. She also featured in the indie romance Daylight Savings (2012) with the supporting role of “Goh” Nakamura's ex-girlfriend,[3] Mozart in the Jungle (2014) and The Last Ship (2014).[4] Other film roles include parts in Sansa and Man from Reno.[5]
Writing
editFujitani has contributed film reviews to the Japanese magazine Roadshow, and has published several coupled novellas, including Touhimu (Flee-Dream), which was adapted into the film, Shiki-Jitsu, by writer and director Hideaki Anno. She also published Yakeinu (Burnt Dog). Fujitani has written both fiction and non-fiction, contributing essays and short stories to various national publications.[6]
In 2014, Fujitani co-wrote a short film commissioned by Ermenegildo Zegna, entitled A Rose Reborn. The film was directed by Park Chan-wook, Chung Chung-hoon, and Michael Werwie, and scored by Clint Mansell. It starred Jack Huston and Daniel Wu.[7]
Other pursuits
editAt age 12, she won the Asian Beauty Contest, held in honor of the Japanese release of the film Police Story 3, kick starting her modeling career.[8]
In 2006, she directed a short drama for TV Tokyo's Drama Factory program.[9]
Personal life
editShe married screenwriter Javier Gullón in 2016. The couple have two daughters.[10]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Gamera: Guardian of the Universe | Asagi Kusanagi | |
| 1996 | Gamera 2: Attack of Legion | Asagi Kusanagi | |
| 1996 | Musashi | ||
| 1998 | The Patriot | McClaren's Assistant | |
| 1999 | Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris | Asagi Kusanagi | |
| 2000 | Pyrokinesis | Waitress | |
| 2000 | Shiki-Jitsu | She | |
| 2003 | Sansa | June | |
| 2005 | Ikusa | ||
| 2007 | Kyaputen Tokio | Cafe Gal Owner | |
| 2008 | Tokyo! | Hiroko | |
| 2008 | Death of Domomata | Hamada | |
| 2012 | Daylight Savings | Erika | |
| 2012 | A Chorus of Angels | Kaori Ando | |
| 2013 | The Doors | Tub Girl | Short film |
| 2014 | Man from Reno | Aki | |
| 2015 | The Lion Standing in the Wind | Sakoto Kojima | |
| 2015 | Hee | Mrs. Sanada | |
| 2020 | I Will Make You Mine | Erika | |
| 2023 | Tokyo Cowboy | Keiko Masuda | [11] |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Ultraman Max | Yuri Sakata | Episode: "Prophecy of Baradhi" |
| 2010 | Atami no Sousakan | Mio Shikishima | |
| 2010 | FACE MAKER | Haruka Shiina | 2 episodes |
| 2016 | The Last Ship | Kyoko | 7 episodes |
| 2018 | Mozart in the Jungle | Yuki | 2 episodes |
References
edit- ^ Ordona, Michael (March 19, 2009). "Ayako Fujitani". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 26, 2011.
- ^ "Giant Turtles and Blown up Helicopters: The Story of Ayako Fujitani". 4 November 2013. Archived from the original on 2022-11-30.
- ^ "Get to Know Actress, Writer and Filmmaker Ayako Fujitani - Character Media". 2015-01-05. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
- ^ "Ayako Fujitani - Biography". IMDb. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
- ^ https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0297858/ [user-generated source]
- ^ Hernon, Matthew (November 4, 2013). "Renaissance Woman: Getting to know Ayako Fujitani". Tokyo Weekender. Archived from the original on November 5, 2013. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
- ^ Akande, Zainab (October 23, 2014). "Watch: Park Chan-wook's Fashionista Thriller Starring Jack Huston and Jason Wu". IndieWire. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
- ^ "Ayako Fujitani: International Woman of Mystery". Vilcek Foundation. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
- ^ "Ayako Fujitani". 11 November 2021.
- ^ Ra'eesah Manack (November 7, 2018). "Ayako Fujitani". amomama.com. Archived from the original on 2021-06-02. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
- ^ "TOKYO COWBOY". Hawaii International Film Festival. Retrieved November 16, 2023.