Noriko Sengoku

Noriko Sengoku, born Reiko Mori on April 29, 1922, and who passed away on December 27, 2012, was a prominent Japanese actress celebrated for her work in film and television during the 1950s and 1960s. She embarked on her cinematic journey with her debut in 1947 and became a notable figure in several of Akira Kurosawa's landmark films, including Drunken Angel, The Quiet Duel, Stray Dog, Scandal, The Idiot, and the iconic Seven Samurai.

During World War II, Sengoku was part of the traveling theater group Sakura-tai, which tragically perished in the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Remarkably, she survived the devastation as she was away from the city at the time, giving birth.

Renowned for her exceptional talent as a supporting actress, Sengoku garnered acclaim for her ability to portray complex characters, particularly a sharp-tongued landlady. She famously likened her work in supporting roles to the essential screws in a structure, emphasizing that "if even one screw comes loose, the whole thing falls apart." This philosophy underscored her dedication to the craft and her understanding of the vital role that supporting actors play in storytelling.