Asian Beauty Appreciation

I guess I saw Koyuki for the 1st of many times in The Last Samurai (2003). She had a key-role in the film as Taka, the widow of a warrior slain by Captain Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise). In her role she spoke only Japanese, but it was her ethereal beauty, and her soulful eyes that captured my attention.

I’ve since watched this film again and again. The reality is that Koyuki was so mesmerizing, that I’ve wanted to see her in other roles. I’ve been fortunate in that I’ve been able to see Koyuki in a good number of Television drama series. Read more…

Remember Yuka, or was it Yuuka? Maybe you called her Yu-ka? However her name appeared in print, she was unforgettable. Her series of gravure videos back in 1998 and 1999: Breath, to, and be, became instant classic collectors’ items.

And if you look closely  on the cdjapan page for each of these DVDs, you will see that on each of the DVD covers, her name appears as Yu-ka. Despite this, cdjapan lists her as Yuuka. And as you will see, her name has undergone yet another change.

She took leave of the gravure world after her Yuuka DVD in 2002, and headed for TV, print ads, and movies. She got work, and was never forgotten, but she was no longer a headliner.

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