--- name: "Kuniko Miyake" canonical: "https://film.one/person/kuniko-miyake" fi1m_id: "kuniko-miyake" imdb_id: "nm0594381" tmdb_id: 131016 wikidata_id: "Q11355110" roles: ["Actor"] born: "17 September 1916" died: "4 November 1992" reviewed_on_fi1m: 3 average_fi1m_score: 90 average_as: "actor" average_over: 3 updated: "2026-09-26T14:25:07.336158+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Kuniko Miyake ## Identity Kuniko Miyake - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/kuniko-miyake - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** kuniko-miyake - **IMDb ID:** nm0594381 - **TMDB ID:** 131016 - **Wikidata ID:** Q11355110 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuniko_Miyake, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11355110, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0594381/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/131016 Actor. Born 17 September 1916 in Saitama, Japon. Died 4 November 1992. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 17 September 1916, Saitama, Japon - **Died:** 4 November 1992 - **Active:** 1949–1962 - **Also known as:** Кунико Миякэ, Yasushi Miura - **Frequently works with:** [Chishū Ryū](https://film.one/person/chishu-ryu.md), [Kōgo Noda](https://film.one/person/kogo-noda.md), [Yasujirō Ozu](https://film.one/person/yasujiro-ozu.md), [Haruko Sugimura](https://film.one/person/haruko-sugimura.md), [Setsuko Hara](https://film.one/person/setsuko-hara.md), [Takeshi Yamamoto](https://film.one/person/takeshi-yamamoto.md) - **Average Fi1m score:** 90, as actor, over 3 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1940s 92 (1), 1950s 92 (1), 1960s 86 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 90 to 88 across 3 titles - **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 0 at 60–79, 0 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 3 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Drama 3 - **Screen time:** 6 hours of reviewed films - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuniko_Miyake, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11355110, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0594381/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/131016 ## Streaming the US now - **HBO Max:** [*Tokyo Story*](https://film.one/film/tokyo-story.md) (92), [*Late Spring*](https://film.one/film/late-spring.md) (92), [*An Autumn Afternoon*](https://film.one/film/an-autumn-afternoon.md) (86) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Kuniko Miyake > Kuniko Miyake gives Ozu’s family dramas credible wives and daughters-in-law, played without fuss. We value her composed, natural performances, though the parts seldom put her at the centre. In *Tokyo Story* (1953), Kuniko Miyake plays Fumiko Hirayama, a daughter-in-law with plenty to occupy her. Her unforced manner helps Yasujirō Ozu make family neglect look ordinary, which is part of what makes the film so painful. She fits into the household without drawing attention away from the other actors. We rate her for taking these supporting parts seriously without making them conspicuous; the family needs to feel credible before its members can disappoint us. The early post-war films established the pattern. In *Late Spring* (1949), she is Akiko Miwa, a widow and friend, and her refined supporting work suits a drama in which familiar family pressures do the damage. Setsuko Hara and Chishū Ryū carry its central father-and-daughter story, but Miyake’s naturalness matters to the ensemble around them. *Early Summer* (1951), with Miyake as Fumiko Mamiya, continued the collaboration and her recurring place in Ozu’s domestic dramas. We found the ordinary neglect in *Tokyo Story* almost unbearable, because Ozu allows people to hurt one another without turning them into villains. Miyake’s grounded playing helps the busy daughter-in-law belong to that recognisable family without asking us to single her out for blame. The limitation is how often these parts leave her in support, without giving her a film to carry. That is a restriction in the roles, not a fault in the acting, although it does limit how much we can claim for her from these performances. The lighter *Good Morning* (1959) gives her a comic domestic role as Tamiko Hayashi, a useful reminder that Ozu did not employ her only for painful family business. She remained part of his ensembles through *An Autumn Afternoon* (1962). Her work shifted increasingly towards television in the 1960s, while film appearances continued through *Until the End of the World* (1991), her final screen credit. Start with *Tokyo Story*, but give the supporting players some of the attention usually reserved for the people at the centre. ## Biography Kuniko Miyake (also credited as Yasushi Miura) was a Japanese actress. Born Yasu Miura on 17 September 1916 in Iwatsuki, Saitama, she joined Shochiku studios in 1934 and made her film debut that year. She appeared in nearly 200 films between 1934 and 1991, with a break after marrying in 1942 and returning after the Second World War. She died on 4 November 1992. Miyake frequently appeared in films directed by Yasujirō Ozu, including *Late Spring* (1949), *Early Summer* (1951), *Tokyo Story* (1953) as Fumiko Hirayama, *Good Morning* (1959), *Late Autumn* (1960) and *An Autumn Afternoon* (1962). She also worked with other directors such as Kenji Mizoguchi and Keisuke Kinoshita, and from the 1960s was active in television dramas. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (3) - *An Autumn Afternoon* (1962), Fi1m 86, as Nobuko — [page](https://film.one/film/an-autumn-afternoon.md) - *Tokyo Story* (1953), Fi1m 92, as Fumiko Hirayama — [page](https://film.one/film/tokyo-story.md) - *Late Spring* (1949), Fi1m 92, as Akiko Miwa — [page](https://film.one/film/late-spring.md) ## Complete filmography (129) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Until the End of the World* (1991), as Mrs. Mori - *Gonza the Spearman* (1986), as Iwaki's wife - *The Makioka Sisters* (1983), as Tominaga's Aunt - *Jirocho of Shimizu 1: The Glorious Port of Shimizu* (1981), Actor - *The Viper Brothers: Up on 30 Charges* (1974), Actor - *The Snake Girl and the Silver-Haired Witch* (1968), as Sister Yamakawa - *The Daring Nun* (1968), as Mother Superior - *The Final Winner?* (1968), Actor - *The Journey* (1967), as Setsuko - *Sodachi zakari* (1967), Actor - *Dianas of the Campus* (1966), Actor - *The Eternal Life* (1964), Actor - *Under the Roof of Young Tokyo* (1963), as Fumi Kuwano (Fukiko's mother) - *Police Precinct Part 22: Teenage Footsteps* (1963), Actor - *Youth After School* (1963), as Fumi - *Parakin to Kyū-chan mōshiwakenai yarō-tachi* (1962), Actor - *An Autumn Afternoon* (1962), as Nobuko — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/an-autumn-afternoon.md) - *Zoku aizen katsura* (1962), Actor - *Hibari's Tale of Pathos* (1962), Actor - *Mount Hakone* (1962), Actor - *Tokyo's Business District* (1962), Actor - *San'nin musume kanpai!* (1962), Actor - *Love Under the Crucifix* (1962), Actor - *Flower in a Storm* (1962), Actor - *A Roaring Trade* (1962), Actor - *The Burdened Sisters* (1961), as Mother Setsuko - *The Radiant Prince* (1961), Actor - *Shiroi minamikaze* (1961), Actor - *夕やけ小やけの赤とんぼ* (1961), as 千代崎信子 - *北上川悲歌* (1961), Actor - *Door of Flowers* (1961), Actor - *東京の夜は泣いている* (1961), as Kikuko, Masaya Taki's mother - *若い涙を吹きとばせ* (1961), Actor - *Les Mesdemoiselles* (1961), Actor - *Late Autumn* (1960), as Nobuko - *Just Barely* (1960), Actor - *White Cliffs* (1960), Actor - *Young Nude* (1960), Actor - *Modern Salaryman: Bushido Romance* (1960), as Sonoda Shizuko (Setsuko's mother) - *Tokyo Omnibus* (1959), Actor - *Someday I'll Know* (1959), as Haruko Shiroyama - *Etajima, the Naval Academy* (1959), Actor - *Good Morning* (1959), as Tamiko Hayashi - *Tasogare no Tokyo Tower* (1959), Actor - *The Makioka Sisters* (1959), Actor - *The Snowy Heron* (1958), Actor - *Bright Young Maidens* (1958), as Mihoko Ishizawa, Kanako's Mother - *Love River* (1958), Actor - *Family Safety* (1958), Actor - *Mother* (1958), Actor - *Escapade in Japan* (1957), as Michiko Tanaka - *On This Earth* (1957), as Yoshie, Wakako's mum - *The Blue Sky Maiden* (1957), as Machiko Mimura - *Chikaiteshi* (1957), Actor - *Love of the Princess* (1957), Actor - *The Rose on His Arm* (1956), as Masahiro's mother - *Kobushi no hana no sakukoro* (1956), Actor - *Summer in Eclipse* (1956), as Akiko Mishima - *Children Seeking a Mother* (1956), as Shizuko Fujisawa - *Asashio yushio* (1956), Actor - *Three Youngmen and a Dream Girl* (1956), as President’s Wife - *Housewives Are Suing* (1956), Actor - *Early Spring* (1956), as Yukiko Kawai - *Teen-ager's Resistance* (1955), Actor - *Ejima and Ikushima* (1955), as 天英院 - *Hanamazu* (1955), Actor - *Mother's Ambition* (1955), Actor - *The Phantom Horse* (1955), as Hagino - *Farewell, Innocence* (1955), as Mother Shizuko - *Tomorrow's Happiness* (1955), as Masae Taki - *Farewell Song* (1955), Actor - *Haru no uzumaki* (1954), Actor - *Brotherly Love* (1954), Actor - *Mother's First Love* (1954), Actor - *Firefly Grass* (1954), Actor - *Youth’s Romance Seat: Sitting on the Green Grass* (1954), Actor - *Teenage Secrets* (1954), Actor - *Tree of Love* (1954), Actor - *Four Mothers* (1954), Actor - *Hanran* (1954), Actor - *Bannai Tarao Series Demon King of Kyokumadan* (1954), Actor - *Tokyo Story* (1953), as Fumiko Hirayama — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/film/tokyo-story.md) - *The Wild Geese* (1953), as Osada - *Zoku jūdai no seiten* (1953), as Hisako Yasutomi - *Haha nami* (1953), Actor - *Kanojo no tokudane* (1952), Actor - *Dôkoku* (1952), Actor - *The Flavor of Green Tea Over Rice* (1952), as Chizu Yamauchi - *Sado Island Elegy* (1952), Actor - *Hibari's Circus: The Sad Little Dove* (1952), Actor - *Kyōshū* (1952), Actor - *Youth of the Son* (1952), Actor - *A Ripple in a Morning* (1952), as Kayo - *A Meeting of Youths* (1952), as Muneko - *Early Summer* (1951), as Fumiko Mamiya - *Ah, Youth* (1951), Actor - *I Yearn for Father* (1951), Actor - *Homecoming* (1950), Actor - *Battle of Roses* (1950), Actor - *Alps Story: The Wild* (1950), Actor - *A Female Doctor's Examination Room* (1950), as Mrs. Kawamura - *獄門島 総集篇* (1950), Actor - *Gokumon Jima: Kaimei Hen* (1949), Actor - *Island of Horrors* (1949), as Sanae - *Late Spring* (1949), as Akiko Miwa — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/film/late-spring.md) - *Late Night Confession* (1949), Actor - *Flame of My Love* (1949), as Toshiko Kishida - *The Portrait* (1948), as Kumiko - *Fujisancho* (1948), Actor - *You and I* (1941), as Kubo's wife - *Brothers and Sisters of the Toda Family* (1941), as Kazuko - *Introspection Tower* (1941), as Ms. Natsumura - *Okinu and Banto* (1940), Actor - *Namida no Sekinin* (1940), Actor - *Haha o tataeru uta* (1939), Actor - *New Woman Question and Answer* (1939), Actor - *A Brother and His Younger Sister* (1939), as Akiko Mamiya - *Okayo's Preparedness* (1939), as Osumi - Dance master - *Family Diary* (1938), as Kikue Hara - *Half Virgin* (1938), Actor - *Queen of the Wind* (1938), Actor - *The Trio's Engagements* (1937), as Junko - *The Golden Demon* (1937), as Mitsue Akagashi - *Renai muteki kantai* (1937), Actor - *Housewife Camellia* (1936), Actor - *Boy Aviation Pilots* (1936), Actor - *Burden of Life* (1935), Actor - *Poppy* (1935), as Fujio Kono - *Eclipse* (1934), as Tomone's friend ## Gallery - ![Scene from Bakushū (麦秋) directed by Yasujirō Ozu, 1951. Front row from left to right: Isao Shirosawa (城沢勇夫), Chieko Higashiyama, Ichirō Sugai and Zen Murase. Se](https://film.one/media/person/59929/gallery-ef427104da72.jpg) Scene from Bakushū (麦秋) directed by Yasujirō Ozu, 1951. Front row from left to right: Isao Shirosawa (城沢勇夫), Chieko Higashiyama, Ichirō Sugai and Zen Murase. Se — Shōchiku, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/89/Bakushu_2.jpg/1280px-Bakushu_2.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Mieko Takamine and Kuniko Miyake in Todake no kyodai (戸田家の兄妹) directed by Yasujirō Ozu, 1941](https://film.one/media/person/59929/gallery-f8747b5b2765.jpg) Mieko Takamine and Kuniko Miyake in Todake no kyodai (戸田家の兄妹) directed by Yasujirō Ozu, 1941 — Shōchiku, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d3/Mieko_Takamine_and_Kuniko_Miyake_in_Todake_no_kyodai%2C_1941.jpg/1280px-Mieko_Takamine_and_Kuniko_Miyake_in_Todake_no_kyodai%2C_1941.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Chishū Ryū and Kuniko Miyake in Mikaeri no tō (みかへりの搭) directed by Hiroshi Shimizu - 1941](https://film.one/media/person/59929/gallery-b44fc84303e5.jpg) Chishū Ryū and Kuniko Miyake in Mikaeri no tō (みかへりの搭) directed by Hiroshi Shimizu - 1941 — Shōchiku, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c5/Mikaeri_no_t%C5%8D_%281941%29_1.jpg/1280px-Mikaeri_no_t%C5%8D_%281941%29_1.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Setsuko Hara in 1951 Japanese movie Early Summer (麦秋, Bakushū).](https://film.one/media/person/59929/gallery-ce064be003aa.jpg) Setsuko Hara in 1951 Japanese movie Early Summer (麦秋, Bakushū). — Film screenshot, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/63/Setsuko_Hara_in_Early_Summer.jpg/1280px-Setsuko_Hara_in_Early_Summer.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Kuniko Miyake](https://film.one/media/person/59929/gallery-c323275c5ef0.jpg) Kuniko Miyake — Image via TMDB --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/kuniko-miyake