# Etsuko Shihomi

Etsuko Shihomi (志穂美 悦子, Shihomi Etsuko), now known by her married name Etsuko Nagabuchi (長渕 悦子, Nagabuchi Etsuko), (born October 29, 1955 in Okayama City, Japan as Etsuko Shiomi (塩見 悦子, Shiomi Etsuko)) is a Japanese actress and martial artist who appeared in several Japanese martial arts films and samurai film and TV productions of the 1970s and 1980s.

## Life and career

A skilled martial artist trained in Karate, Kenjitsu and Shorinji Kempo Etsuko was a member of Sonny Chiba's "Japan Action Club" (JAC) and appeared in several film and TV productions with Chiba, Hiroyuki Sanada, and other members of the JAC, including her big screen debut in Bodyguard Kiba 2 (1973), The Street Fighter (1974), Shorinji Kempo also known misleadingly as Killing Machine (1975), The Gorilla Seven TV series (1975), The Defensive Power of Aikido (1975), Shogun's Samurai (aka The Yagyu Clan Conspiracy) (1978), The Yagyu Conspiracy TV series (1978), Message from Space (1978), Shadow Warriors I-V TV series (1980–1985), Shogun's Ninja (1980), Roaring Fire (1982), and Legend of the Eight Samurai (1983).
Etsuko was also the lead in a number of films and TV series, starring in the Sister Street Fighter trilogy (1974–1975), The 13 Steps of Maki (1975), The Magnificent Chase (1975), Dragon Princess (1976), Lethal Woman: Fifth Level Fist (1976), the Yagyu Jubei Abaretabi TV series (1982–1983) where she reprised her role as Akane Yagyū alongside Sonny Chiba as Jūbei Yagyū from Shogun's Samurai (1978) and The Yagyu Conspiracy (1978), and The Second is a Christian (1985) an action comedy about a nun who becomes the successor to the head of a Yakuza group.
Along with her work in numerous contemporary martial arts and period samurai films and TV programs, Etsuko also appeared in tokusatsu superhero productions like Kikaider 01 (1973–1974) and Moonlight Mask (aka The Moon Mask Rider) (1981), investigative dramas such as Detective of Tomorrow (1977) and Detectives of Rumour: Tommy And Matsu (1979), fantasy films like Black Jack: The Visitor in the Eye (1977) and Exchange Students (1982), and mysteries like The Atami Murder Case (1986).
Etsuko also had a singing career from 1975 to 1984, although her last solo album, Three Dimension, was also released on CD in 1985. Two books were released relating to her in the 1970s and 1980s.
Etsuko met singer-actor Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi on the set of the Otoko wa Tsurai yo film Tora-san's Bluebird Fantasy (1986), when she was around 30 years old. She retired from acting after marrying him the following year, in 1987, when she was 31. Their daughter Ayane Nagabuchi is also an actress.
After her retirement, Etsuko stayed out of the limelight but returned to the public eye in 2011 with the release of her photography book Flower Arrangement INSPIRE and has been involved in charity work. She has written subsequent books on flower arrangement and made a number of public appearances, with the proceeds also being donated to charities.

## Acting credits
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1973 | Bodyguard Kiba (ボディガード牙) | | Stunt double for Yayoi Watanabe |
| 1973 | Bodyguard Kiba 2 (ボディガード牙 必殺三角飛び) | Maki | Acting debut |
| 1974 | The Street Fighter (激突! 殺人拳) | Nachi Shikenbaru | |
| 1974 | Sister Street Fighter (女必殺拳) | Kōryū Li | |
| 1974 | The Street Fighter's Last Revenge (逆襲! 殺人拳) | Kahō | |
| 1974 | Sister Street Fighter: Hanging by a Thread (女必殺拳 危機一発) | Kōryū Li | |
| 1974 | The Executioner II: Karate Inferno (直撃地獄拳 大逆転) | Kumiko |
| 1975 | The Killing Machine (少林寺拳法) | Miho Tomoda | |
| 1975 | 13 Steps of Maki (若い貴族たち 13階段のマキ) | Maki Hyūga | |
| 1975 | The Magnificent Chase (華麗なる追跡) | Shinobu Yashiro | |
| 1975 | The Bullet Train (新幹線大爆破) | Telephone operator | |
| 1975 | Champion of Death (けんか空手 極真拳) | Geisha | Uncredited |
| 1975 | The Return of the Sister Street Fighter (帰ってきた女必殺拳) | Kōryū Li | |
| 1975 | The Defensive Power of Aikido (激突! 合気道) | Sanae Ozaki | |
| 1976 | Dragon Princess (必殺女拳士) | Yumi Higaki | |
| 1976 | Karate Warriors (子連れ殺人拳) | Fisherman | Uncredited |
| 1976 | Sister Street Fighter: Fifth Level Fist (女必殺五段拳) | Kiku Nakagawa | |
| 1976 | Festival Champ (お祭り野郎 魚河岸の兄弟分) | Kiyoko Ebihara | |
| 1977 | Soul of Chiba (激殺! 邪道拳) | Liho | |
| 1977 | Golgo 13: Assignment Kowloon (ゴルゴ13 九竜の首) | Lin Ling | |
| 1977 | Black Jack: The Visitor in the Eye (BLACK JACK 瞳の中の訪問者) | Kyōko Nanbu | |
| 1978 | Shogun's Samurai (柳生一族の陰謀) | Akane Yagyū | |
| 1978 | Message from Space (宇宙からのメッセージ) | Emeralida | |
| 1979 | Hong Kong Connection (ホンコン・コネクション) | Emeralida Shihomi | Student film; special appearance |
| 1979 | The Adventures of Kosuke Kindaichi (金田一耕助の冒険) | Neighbor | |
| 1979 | Pepper '80 (ピーマン８０) | Detective Shiho Yamaguchi | |
| 1980 | Shogun's Ninja (忍者武芸帖 百地三太夫) | Ai-Lian | |
| 1981 | Moonlight Mask (月光仮面) | Ikuko Makimura | |
| 1981 | Roaring Fire (吼えろ鉄拳) | Chihiro Hinohara | |
| 1981 | The Kamikaze Adventurer (冒険者カミカゼ -ADVENTURER KAMIKAZE-) | Sommelière | Uncredited |
| 1982 | Tenkōsei (転校生) | Mitsuko Ōno | |
| 1982 | Fall Guy (蒲田行進曲) | | As herself |
| 1983 | Igano Kabamaru (伊賀野カバ丸) | Yūko Azuki | |
| 1983 | Legend of the Eight Samurai (里見八犬伝) | Keno Inusaka | |
| 1984 | Kōtarō Makaritōru! (コータローまかりとおる!) | Benibara | |
| 1984 | Shanghai Rhapsody (上海バンスキング) | Lin Zhuli | |
| 1984 | The Audition (ザ・オーディション) | Reiko Nanase | |
| 1985 | The Second is a Christian (二代目はクリスチャン) | Sister Kyōko | |
| 1986 | Cabaret (キャバレー) | Pub Mama | |
| 1986 | The Atami Murder Case (熱海殺人事件) | Tomoko Mizuno | |
| 1986 | Tora-san's Bluebird Fantasy (男はつらいよ 幸福の青い鳥) | Miho Shimazaki | |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1973 | Suspense Series: Modern Witch Tale Murderous Love (サスペンスシリーズ 現代鬼婆考 殺愛) | Shige's sister | 1 episode/Ep. 25 |
| 1973—1974 | Kikaider 01 (キカイダー01) | Mari (Bijinder) | 17 episodes |
| 1974 | The Bodyguard (ザ・ボディガード) | Jun Niimi | |
| 1975 | The Gorilla Seven (ザ★ゴリラ7) | Michi Nagareya | |
| 1975 | The Young Detective (刑事くん) | Yuka | 1 episode/Ep. 40 of season 3 |
| 1975 | Kenka Yasubei (けんか安兵衛) | Omame | 1 episode/Ep. 21 |
| 1975—1976 | Blazing Dragnet (燃える捜査網) | Akiko Shiratori | 14 episodes |
| 1976 | Emergency Line (大非常線) | Midori Katsuragi | |
| 1976 | Nanairo Tongarashi (七色とんがらし) | Takeko | |
| 1976 | The Young Detective (刑事くん) | Miki Inaba | 1 episode/Ep. 7 of season 4 |
| 1976 | Detective at Dawn (夜明けの刑事) | | 1 episode/Ep. 86 |
| 1976—1977 | Ōedo Sōsamō (大江戸捜査網) | Undercover Agent Kaze (Oshin) | 38 episodes |
| 1977 | J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai (ジャッカー電撃隊) | Natsuko Ono | 1 episode/Ep. 3 |
| 1977 | Shin Kawaramachi Higashiiru (新・河原町東入ル) | Natsuko Ōkawara | 2 episodes/Ep. 19, 20 |
| 1977 | New Detective at Dawn (新・夜明けの刑事) | Etsuko Shimura | 1 episode/Ep. 17 |
| 1977 | Shingo Tondeke Torimonochō (新伍とんでけ捕物帳) | Miho Kanzaki | |
| 1977 | Circus (サーカス) | Ruriko Adachi | 1 episod/Ep. 7 |
| 1977 | Cases Files of Ningyo Sashichi (人形佐七捕物帳) | Koyuki | 1 episode/Ep. 34 |
| 1977—1979 | Detective of Tomorrow (明日の刑事) | Detective Shiho Yamaguchi | |
| 1978—1979 | The Yagyu Conspiracy (柳生一族の陰謀) | Akane Yagyū | 31 episodes |
| 1978—1979 | Necchu Jidai (熱中時代) | Momoko Koito | |
| 1978—1979 | Sanshiro Sugata (姿三四郎) | Sumi Monma (Osumi) | |
| 1979 | Yaruki Manman (やる気満々) | Mayumi (真弓) | |
| 1979 | Tejo o Kakeru (手錠をかけろ!) | Akiko Uno | 1 episode/Ep. 10 |
| 1979—1980 | Sannan Sanjo Muko Ippiki III (三男三女婿一匹III) | Tsutae Katsura | |
| 1979—1980 | Detectives of Rumour: Tommy and Matsu (噂の刑事トミーとマツ) | Sachiko Okano | 22 episodes |
| 1980 | Kyo Maiko Satsujin Jiken: Kyofu no Uwaki Shuccho (京舞妓殺人事件 恐怖の浮気出張) | | TV film/special appearance |
| 1980 | Doberman Deka (爆走！ドーベルマン刑事) | Detective Kaoru Igarashi | 13 episodes |
| 1980 | Juni-sai no Haato ni Suberi Kome (11歳のハートにすべり込め!) | | 1 episode/Ep. 5 |
| 1980 | Shadow Warriors (服部半蔵 影の軍団) | Kuromoji no Kirara | 1 episode/Ep. 9 |
| 1980 | Umi Yo Ai no Kiseki O Yobe Tozasareta Shōnen no Kokoro Wa Yomigaeru Ka? (海よ愛の奇跡を呼べ 閉ざされた少年の心は甦るか？) | | TV film |
| 1980—1981 | Hitori Goi Futari Goi Minna Goi (一人来い二人来いみんな来い) | Takako | |
| 1981 | Red Lightning: The Shadow Ninja Warriors Strategy to Save Shogun Yoshimune's Mother! 赤い稲妻 将軍吉宗の母を救え！影の忍者軍団決死の(秘)作戦) | | TV film |
| 1981 | Yagyu Abaretabi (柳生あばれ旅) | Oyo Kashiwagi | 1 episode/Ep. 22 |
| 1981 | Hitomi no Naka no Satsui Kekkonshitai Onna (瞳の中の殺意 結婚したい女) | | TV film |
| 1981 | Ki ni Naru Tenshi-tachi (気になる天使たち) | | |
| 1981—1982 | Shadow Warriors II (影の軍団II) | Misato Shiina | 9 episodes |
| 1982 | Okubo Hikozaemon: The Obstinate Old Man (天下御免の頑固おやじ 大久保彦左衛門) | Onaka | TV film |
| 1982 | Onmitsu Kuzure II: Lullaby From Hell (隠密くずれII 地獄の子守唄) | Shizu | TV film |
| 1982 | Shadow Warriors III (影の軍団III) | Tezuma no Ochō | 15 episodes |
| 1982 | Kirisute Gomen! (斬り捨て御免!) | Osae | 1 episode/Ep. 2 of season 3 |
| 1982—1983 | Yagyu Jubei Abaretabi (柳生十兵衛あばれ旅) | Akane Yagyū | 26 episodes/lead |
| 1983 | Apron Obasan (エプロンおばさん) | Haruko | 1 episode/Ep. 13 |
| 1983 | Tenshi no Fukushū (天使の復讐) | | TV film |
| 1983 | Pounding Policewoman (どきどき婦警さん) | | TV film |
| 1983 | Seishun Zengofukaku (青春前後不覚) | | |
| 1983 | Mito Kōmon (水戸黄門) | Teru-hime / Komatayū Ichimura | 1 episode/Ep. 3 of season 14 |
| 1984 | Wonderful Circus Guy (素晴らしきサーカス野郎) | Yukari | TV film |
| 1984 | Bark at the Sun! (太陽にほえろ!) | Keiko Matsumoto | 1 episode/Ep. 590 |
| 1984 | Kinyōbi no Tsuma-tachi e II, Otoko-tachi yo, Genki Kai? (金曜日の妻たちへII、男たちよ、元気かい？) | Chika Ōishi | |
| 1984 | Oretachi no Atsui Kaze (俺たちの熱い風) | | TV film |
| 1984 | Abare Kyūan (暴れ九庵) | Oyū | 1 episode/Ep. 13 |
| 1985 | Dark Window (暗い窓) | Misuho Kishida | TV film |
| 1985 | Shadow Warriors IV (影の軍団IV) | Oren | 5 episodes |
| 1985 | Abduction Scramble (誘拐スクランブル) | | TV film |
| 1985 | Red Shadow: The Masked Ninja (仮面の忍者 赤影) | Mai-hime | TV film |
| 1985 | Shadow Warriors (影の軍団 幕末編) | Oren | 2 episodes/Ep. 7,9 |
| 1986 | Tonderu Keishi (翔んでる警視) | Mizue Shimura | TV film |
| 1986 | Oyako Game (親子ゲーム) | Kayo Mitsuishi | |
| 1987 | Tekidōshi Sukidōshi (敵同志好き同志) | Michi Asai (浅井未知) | |
| 1987 | Soreyuke Kujaku Keishi (それゆけ孔雀警視) | Shōko Ōgino | TV film |
| 1987 | Sutandobaimī Kimagure Hakusho (スタンドバイミー 〜気まぐれ白書〜) | Toshiko Kurata (倉田利子) | |

### Theater

| Year | Title | Role | Theater | Notes |
| 1981 | Yagyu Jubei Makai Tensho (柳生十兵衛 魔界転生) | Amakusa Shirō | Shinjuku Koma Theater (新宿コマ劇場) | Performed simultaneously with Stuntman Story |
| 1981 | Stuntman Story (スタントマン物語) | | Shinjuku Koma Theater (新宿コマ劇場) | Performed simultaneously with Yagyu Jubei Makai Tensho |
| 1982—1984 | The Big Adventure of The Fantastic Pirates (ゆかいな海賊大冒険) | Princess Miranda / Claire | Shinjuku Koma Theater (新宿コマ劇場) | |
| 1984 | Oh! I Feel Like a Sexy Boy (Oh! 気分は聖xy Boy) | Susie, George, Herbie | Theatre Apple (シアターアプル) | Lead |
| 1985 | The Drunken Duke (酔いどれ公爵) | Nathalie Galfan | Shinjuku Koma Theater (新宿コマ劇場) | |
| 1986 | Adventure Youth Departure (アドベンチャー 青春の出発) | | Shinjuku Koma Theater (新宿コマ劇場) | Performed simultaneously with Stuntman Love Story |
| 1986 | Stuntman Love Story (スタントマン 愛の物語) | | Shinjuku Koma Theater (新宿コマ劇場) | Performed simultaneously with Adventure Youth Departure |
| 1986 | The Taming of the Shrew (じゃじゃ馬ならし) | Katherina | Parco Theater (パルコ劇場) | Lead |

## Miscellaneous
### Discography

Singles:
* 13 Steps of Maki – 13階段のマキ (1975)
* Silhouette – 影法師 (1975)
* Saturday Night of Love – 恋のサタディー・ナイト (1977)
* Only Two at the Wedding – ふたりだけの結婚式 (1977)
* I dance like tomorrow – 明日よ風に舞え (1982)
* Airmail in the Southern Sands – 南のーー砂のエアメール (1984)
Albums:
* Female Killing Fist – Calling on Etsuko Shihomi!! – 女必殺拳 志穂美悦子参上!! (1976)
* Saturday Night of Love – 恋のサタディー・ナイト (1977)
* Three Dimension (1983) (also released on CD in 1985)

### Books

* Shihomi Etsuko : Endless Road to action (1976)
* Actress : Shihomi Etsuko (1981)
* Flower Arrangement INSPIRE ～いちかばちか～ Vol.1 (2011)
* Flower Fighting INSPIRE ～いちかばちか～ Vol.2 (2012)
* Flower Arrangement Works INSPIRE 3 In New York (2013)