Yukari Oshima

Yukari Oshima, the girl with beauty as well as brains, is a Japanese actress and martial artist. She shot to fame doing movies in Hong Kong, and is widely regarded as female version of her counterpart, none other than the infamous Jackie Chan! This made her a household name in Hong Kong and East Asia during her active years. Tsumura Yukari was the name she was given at birth, which she later changed upon entering the film industry. She was born on the last day of the year- 31st December-1963. Born in Nishi-Ku, in the Fukuoka district in Japan into a wealthy family, she began studying the art of “Gōjū-ryū Seigokan”- a special form of Karate at the Ennouji Dojo while just a child in junior high! Her parents were well off and could sustain her ambition and supported her throughout her younger years.

Her father was a very successful fashion designer as well as a business man who’d married a Chinese woman. Yukari also educated herself in myriads of weapon fighting techniques, primarily using weapons such as swords, staves, and sticks. Her later film even incorporated this talent of hers. Right after her graduation, Yukari set out to build her career, enrolling herself in the Sonny Chiba’s Stunt School. She even went on to take part in multiple Japanese TV serials, such as Ghost Cop (1982). And after a couple of years in Japan, Yukari decided to shift to Hong Kong, in pursuit of more challenging work. Interestingly though, alike other mega-stars around her time, there is very little known about Yukari Oshima’s beginnings. This is probably because she didn’t have a very keen taste towards giving interviews, except on occasion to talk about technicalities of her work.

It can also be credited to the fact that the Hong Kong media at the time was very ‘sexuality’ oriented, and Yukari’s refusal to objectify herself in her roles (as was the norm) didn’t garner her a lot of attention, making her go unnoticed for the most part. That’s a pity, because Yukari Oshima was not only right up there among the best action performers of her time, but also had an unflinching ability to lure the attention of her viewers and unravel different dimensions and layers of the roles she played. However, this wasn’t the only case where she chose to go against the societal norm.

She even has the record for the biggest filmography of action roles, at upwards of sixty, for being non-Chinese artist. In a time where only the Chinese dominated the film industry, especially the realm of action, this is a staggering feat! Her works such as Drug Fighters and Devil Girl she transcends the fourth wall, and makes a connection with her viewers. These movies are regarded as super hits, and her last movie It Takes a Thief engrossed very handsomely, to say the least. Even though Yukari could never reach the status of a "superstar", her work is revered by fans and critics alike. Had things gone differently, she may have redefined the role of woman in Asian cinema altogether!