
Here are two Japanese songs performed by the famous jazz singers Chiemi Eri and Ryoko Moriyama, chosen to illustrate the beauty of Japanese cult actress Kumi Mizuno (in Japanese 水野久美). Born on New Years Day of 1937 in Nigata, Japan, Kumi Mizuno (original name being Maya Igarashi) debuted in the Minoru Shibuya film "Crazy Society" in 1957 after graduating from acting school. The next year, she took part in a promotional campaign for the famous Toho Studios with two other young actresses, resulting in a trio named "The Three Beauties". Her first Toho film was "A Bridge for Us Alone" in 1958. Her attractive looks and pleasant demeanor made her a favorite of director Ishiro Honda, resulting in her participation in his series of movies with angry monsters. When asked to assess the best performers whom he had directed, he commented: "The best actress was Kumi Mizuno. She was very genuine. Once she was involved in a film, she would just step right into her role." Mizuno contributed to some of the most unforgettable movies of Japanese sci-fi of the 60s. She appeared in "Birth of Japan" (1959) (maybe the biggest movie of the year in her country, at the side of illustrious Toshiro Mifune), "Gorath" (1962), "Lost World of Sinbad" (1963, again with Toshiro Mifune), "Matango" (aka "Attack of the Mushroom People", 1963), "Frankenstein Conquers the World" (1965), and "War of the Gargantuas" (1966). Her most famous roles are in "Monster Zero" and "Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster" (both <b>...</b>
Kumi
Mizuno
水野久美