# Mitsuko Kusabue

Mitsuko Kusabue (草笛 光子, Kusabue Mitsuko, born October 22, 1933 in Yokohama) is a Japanese actress.

## Selected filmography
### Films

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1957 | On Wings of Love | Eiko Itakura | |
| 1958 | Song for a Bride | Teruko Nishimura | |
| 1958 | A Holiday in Tokyo | | |
| 1960 | Daughters, Wives and a Mother | | |
| 1962 | Chūshingura: Hana no Maki, Yuki no Maki | Toda no Tsubone | |
| 1962 | A Wanderer's Notebook | Kyōko Hinatsu | |
| 1963 | The Lost World of Sinbad | | |
| 1964 | Yearning | Hisako Morita | |
| 1964 | Whirlwind | | |
| 1967 | Scattered Clouds | | |
| 1969 | Battle of the Japan Sea | | |
| 1976 | The Inugami Family | Umeko Inugami | |
| 1977 | Akuma no temari-uta | | |
| 1978 | Queen Bee | | |
| 1978 | Hi no Tori | | |
| 1979 | Byoinzaka no Kubikukuri no Ie | | |
| 1981 | Kofuku | | |
| 1985 | Sorekara | Umeko Nagai | |
| 1993 | Rex: A Dinosaur's Story | Sanae Itō | |
| 2006 | The Inugamis | Teacher of Harp | |
| 2006 | What the Snow Brings | Shizuko Yazaki | |
| 2009 | The Unbroken | Masae Onchi | |
| 2014 | 0.5 mm | Shizue Makabe | |
| 2016 | The Magnificent Nine | Juzaburo's mother | |
| 2018 | Walking with My Grandma | Kiyo | |
| 2019 | They Say Nothing Stays the Same | | |
| 2021 | What Happened to Our Nest Egg!? | Yoshino Gotō | |
| 2023 | Daisuke Jigen | Chiharu Yaguchi | |
| 2024 | 90 Years Old – So What? | Aiko Satō | Lead role |
| 2024 | Aimitagai | Komichi | |
| 2025 | Let's Meet at Angie's Bar | Angie | Lead role |

### Television dramas

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1971 | Mayuko Hitori | Miwako Kano | Asadora |
| 1975 | Tsūkai! Kōchiyama Sōshun | Otaki | |
| 1975 | Hissatsu Hitchuu Shigotoya Kagyō | Osei | Hissatsu series |
| 1975 | Genroku Taiheiki | Oden no Kata | Taiga drama |
| 1976 | Hissatsu Karakurinin Kepuuhen | | Hissatsu series |
| 1977 | Kashin | Nomura Motoni | Taiga drama |
| 1978 | Edo Professional Hissatsu Shōbainin | Osei | Hissatsu series |
| 1979 | Kusa Moeru | Tango no Tsubone | Taiga drama |
| 1983 | Ōoku | | |
| 1985 | Miotsukushi | Tone Yoshitake | Asadora |
| 1990 | Tobu ga Gotoku | Yura | Taiga drama |
| 1995 | Hachidai Shōgun Yoshimune | Ten'ei-in | Taiga drama |
| 1997 | Aguri | Setsuko Uehara | Asadora |
| 2000 | Aoi | Kōdai-in | Taiga drama |
| 2002 | Toshiie and Matsu | Ōmandokoro | Taiga drama |
| 2004 | Dondo Hare | Katsuno Kagami | Asadora |
| 2006 | Kekkon Dekinai Otoko | Ikuyo Kuwano | |
| 2009 | Tenchijin | Tome | Taiga drama |
| 2010 | Second Virgin | | |
| 2013 | Yae's Sakura | Narrator | Taiga drama |
| 2015 | Mare | Yukie Robert | Asadora |
| 2016 | Sanada Maru | Tori | Taiga drama |
| 2016 | Tokyo Trial | Narrator | Japanese version only |
| 2018 | Bakabon no Papa yori Baka na Papa | Junko | |
| 2021 | Old Jack and Rose | Kirako Kuji | |
| 2022 | The 13 Lords of the Shogun | Hiki no Ama | Taiga drama |

### Theater

| Year | Title | Role |
| 1964 | How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying | Rosemary Pilkington |
| 1983 | Chicago | Roxie Hart |
| 1993 | La Cage aux Folles | Jacqueline |

### Anime

| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
| 2004 | Agatha Christie's Great Detectives Poirot and Marple | Mrs. Opalsen | | |
| 2005 | The Snow Queen | Amanda | | |

### Dubbing

| Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
| Agatha Christie's Marple Series 2 | Miss Marple (Geraldine McEwan) | | |
| Agatha Christie's Marple Series 3 | Miss Marple (Geraldine McEwan) | | |

## Honours

* Medal with Purple Ribbon (1999)
* Order of the Rising Sun, 4th Class, Gold Rays with Rosette (2005)
* Kinuyo Tanaka Award (2006)
* Japan Academy Film Prize: Distinguished Service Award (2022)
* Person of Cultural Merit (2024)