Chiaki Kuriyama

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Chiaki Kuriyama

Role / Field:

Japanese actress, singer, and model known for roles in horror and international cinema.

Born:

1984-10-10

Century / Era:

1984s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Chiaki Kuriyama (栗山 千明, Kuriyama Chiaki; born October 10, 1984) is a Japanese actress, singer, and model. She played Takako Chigusa in Kinji Fukasaku's 2000 film Battle Royale, Gogo Yubari in Quentin Tarantino's 2003 film Kill Bill: Volume 1, and Yuko Mizushima in Sion Sono's 2007 film Exte. She was born in Tsuchiura, Ibaraki. Kuriyama was a popular model during Japan's child model boom in the mid-1990s. In 1997, she appeared in the photobooks Shinwa-Shōjo (Girl of Myth) and Shōjokan (Girl's Residence), photographed by Kishin Shinoyama.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Shinwa-Shōjo became a best-seller but, as it contained some nudity, was discontinued by the publisher in 1999 after the institution of new anti–child pornography laws. She also posed as a model for the child fashion magazines Nicola (1997–2001) and Pichi Lemon (1996–2001). She had starring roles in the horror films Shikoku (1999) and Ju-on (2000). Chiaki also appeared in the 2000 action film Battle Royale as Takako Chigusa. Following feature appearances on several Japanese television programs (including Rokubanme no Sayoko), Kuriyama made her Hollywood debut in director Quentin Tarantino's 2003 film Kill Bill: Volume 1 as Gogo Yubari, the schoolgirl bodyguard of yakuza boss O-Ren Ishii (Lucy Liu).

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Kuriyama's other film appearances include major roles in the ninja drama Azumi 2: Death or Love and Takashi Miike's Yōkai Daisensō. In 2010, she released the CD single "Ryūsei no Namida" on DefStar Records under the artist name "CHiAKi KURiYAMA". The song was used as the first ending theme for Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn. This single was followed by three others under her name as traditionally written in Japanese: "Kanōsei Girl", "Cold Finger Girl", and "Oishii Kisetsu" / "Ketteiteki Sanpunkan"; "Kanōsei Girl" was used as the third opening theme for Yorinuki Gin Tama-san and "Cold Finger Girl" was used as the opening for the anime adaptation of Level E. She followed the singles with an album, Circus, in 2011.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1984 (1984-10-10): Birth of Chiaki Kuriyama — Japanese actress, singer, and model known for roles in horror and international cinema.
2. 1997: 1997 Milestone — In 1997, she appeared in the photobooks Shinwa-Shōjo (Girl of Myth) and Shōjokan (Girl's Residence), photographed by Kishin Shinoyama.
3. 1999: 1999 Milestone — Shinwa-Shōjo became a best-seller but, as it contained some nudity, was discontinued by the publisher in 1999 after the institution of new anti–child pornography laws.
4. 2000: 2000 Milestone — She played Takako Chigusa in Kinji Fukasaku's 2000 film Battle Royale, Gogo Yubari in Quentin Tarantino's 2003 film Kill Bill: Volume 1, and Yuko Mizushima in Sion Sono's 2007 film Exte.
5. 2003: 2003 Milestone — Following feature appearances on several Japanese television programs (including Rokubanme no Sayoko), Kuriyama made her Hollywood debut in director Quentin Tarantino's 2003 film Kill Bill: Volume 1 as Gogo Yubari, the schoolgirl bodyguard of yakuza boss O-Ren Ishii (Lucy Liu).
6. 2010: 2010 Milestone — In 2010, she released the CD single "Ryūsei no Namida" on DefStar Records under the artist name "CHiAKi KURiYAMA".
7. 2011: 2011 Milestone — She followed the singles with an album, Circus, in 2011.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Chiaki Kuriyama

True or False: “Chiaki Kuriyama's early modeling career was significantly impacted by changes in Japanese law regarding child imagery.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The publication of her photobook Shinwa-Shōjo was discontinued in 1999 due to the institution of new anti–child pornography laws.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Agness Underwood — Contemporary (Died in 1984) (1984): Pioneering American journalist and city editor, breaking gender barriers in print media.
• Abdul Qadeer Khan — Shared historical date (10-10 · Died) (2021): Pakistani nuclear physicist, known as the 'father of Pakistan's atomic weapons program'
• Abel Tasman — Shared historical date (10-10 · Died) (1659): Dutch explorer famed for charting Tasmania and New Zealand for the VOC.
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• Alexis Korner — Historical peer (Died in 1984) (1984): Pioneering British blues musician and influential radio broadcaster.
• A. D. Hope — Historical peer (Died in 2000) (2000): Australian poet and essayist celebrated for his satirical wit and academic career.
• A. E. van Vogt — Historical peer (Died in 2000) (2000): Influential Canadian-American science fiction writer known for bizarre narratives.
• Alberto Sordi — Historical peer (Died in 2003) (2003): Pillar of Italian Cinema, master of Commedia all'italiana comedy.
• 1984 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1984
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Frequently Asked Questions about Chiaki Kuriyama