Ayako Fujitani

Ayako Fujitani
藤谷 文子
Born
Ayako Faith Fujitani

(1979-12-07) December 7, 1979 (age 45)
Osaka, Japan
Other namesAyako Seagal
Occupation(s)Actress, writer
Years active1995–present
Spouse
​
(m. 2016)​
Children2
Parents

Ayako Fujitani (藤谷 文子, Fujitani Ayako, born December 7, 1979) is a Japanese actress and writer.[1] She acts and writes in both Japanese and English.

Early life

Ayako Faith Fujitani was born in Osaka, Japan. She is the daughter of Steven Seagal by his first wife, aikido master Miyako Fujitani. Her parents separated when she was about eight years old. She resided in Los Angeles during her teenage years.

Career

Acting

In 1995, Fujitani made her cinematic debut at age 13 starring in the cult classic Gamera: Guardian of the Universe directed by Shusuke Kaneko. She reprised her role in subsequent films in the series and also featured in an episode of Ultraman Max. In 2000, she played the lead role in the movie Shiki-Jitsu. In 2008, she played the role of Hiroko in the anthology film Tokyo!, [2] directed by Leos Carax, Bong Joon-Ho and Michel Gondry. She also featured in the indie romance Daylight Savings (2012) with the supporting role of “Goh” Nakamura's ex-girlfriend,[3] Mozart in the Jungle (2014) and The Last Ship (2014).[4] Other film roles include parts in Sansa and Man from Reno.[5]

Writing

Fujitani has contributed film reviews to the Japanese magazine Roadshow, and has published several coupled novellas, including Touhimu (Flee-Dream), which was adapted into the film, Shiki-Jitsu, by writer and director Hideaki Anno. She also published Yakeinu (Burnt Dog). Fujitani has written both fiction and non-fiction, contributing essays and short stories to various national publications.[6]

In 2014, Fujitani co-wrote a short film commissioned by Ermenegildo Zegna, entitled A Rose Reborn. The film was directed by Park Chan-wook, Chung Chung-hoon, and Michael Werwie, and scored by Clint Mansell. It starred Jack Huston and Daniel Wu.[7]

Other pursuits

At age 12, she won the Asian Beauty Contest, held in honor of the Japanese release of the film Police Story 3, kick starting her modeling career.[8]

In 2006, she directed a short drama for TV Tokyo's Drama Factory program.[9]

Personal life

She married screenwriter Javier Gullón in 2016. The couple have two daughters.[10]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1995 Gamera: Guardian of the Universe Asagi Kusanagi
1996 Gamera 2: Attack of Legion Asagi Kusanagi
1996 Musashi
1998 The Patriot McClaren's Assistant
1999 Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris Asagi Kusanagi
2000 Pyrokinesis Waitress
2000 Shiki-Jitsu She
2003 Sansa June
2005 Ikusa
2007 Kyaputen Tokio Cafe Gal Owner
2008 Tokyo! Hiroko
2008 Death of Domomata Hamada
2012 Daylight Savings Erika
2012 A Chorus of Angels Kaori Ando
2013 The Doors Tub Girl Short film
2014 Man from Reno Aki
2015 The Lion Standing in the Wind Sakoto Kojima
2015 Hee Mrs. Sanada
2020 I Will Make You Mine Erika
2023 Tokyo Cowboy Keiko Masuda [11]

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2005 Ultraman Max Yuri Sakata Episode: "Prophecy of Baradhi"
2010 Atami no Sousakan Mio Shikishima
2010 FACE MAKER Haruka Shiina 2 episodes
2016 The Last Ship Kyoko 7 episodes
2018 Mozart in the Jungle Yuki 2 episodes

References

  1. ^ Ordona, Michael (March 19, 2009). "Ayako Fujitani". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 26, 2011.
  2. ^ "Giant Turtles and Blown up Helicopters: The Story of Ayako Fujitani". 4 November 2013. Archived from the original on 2022-11-30.
  3. ^ "Get to Know Actress, Writer and Filmmaker Ayako Fujitani - Character Media". 2015-01-05. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
  4. ^ "Ayako Fujitani - Biography". IMDb. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
  5. ^ https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0297858/ [user-generated source]
  6. ^ Hernon, Matthew (November 4, 2013). "Renaissance Woman: Getting to know Ayako Fujitani". Tokyo Weekender. Archived from the original on November 5, 2013. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
  7. ^ Akande, Zainab (October 23, 2014). "Watch: Park Chan-wook's Fashionista Thriller Starring Jack Huston and Jason Wu". IndieWire. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
  8. ^ "Ayako Fujitani: International Woman of Mystery". Vilcek Foundation. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
  9. ^ "Ayako Fujitani". 11 November 2021.
  10. ^ Ra'eesah Manack (November 7, 2018). "Ayako Fujitani". amomama.com. Archived from the original on 2021-06-02. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  11. ^ "TOKYO COWBOY". Hawaii International Film Festival. Retrieved November 16, 2023.