Etsuko Shihomi, 13 Steps of Maki (1975)

On August 31, 1974 Sister Street Fighter debuted in Japan.

 EIGA NO SIRO 1978  - Etsuko “Sue” Shihomi 

The Karateka Is A Co-Ed

Yutaka Nakajima (中島ゆたか), Bunta Sugawara (菅原文太) and Etsuko Shihomi (志穂美悦子) at Toei studios, January 19, 1976.

Trailer Ninja bugeicho momochi sandayu 1981

R.I.P. Sonny Chiba

We’ve lost one of the most badass men ever to walk the planet-- the Japanese man most likely to kick your ass, Shinichi “Sonny” Chiba. He died of pneumonia brought on from complications of Covid at the age of 82. Chiba was unable to be vaccinated because the Japanese government chose to hold the Olympics instead of protecting its people. Everybody has their own favorite Chiba movie (or at least, they should). Mine’s basic as hell: 1974′s Clash! Killing Fist or The Street Fighter. But its and his influence is not to be underestimated. You know that shot in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla where Godzilla gets up, bloody, and has Mechagodzilla’s fingers sticking out of him? That slow gesture Godzilla does just before his back sparks up--you better believe that’s Godzilla imitating Tsurugi redistributing his chi.

His name’s Takuma Tsurugi but some people call him... the Street Fighter [cheeky grin].

Chiba in 1972 with his first wife, Yoko Nogiwa.

On the set of Shogun’s Samurai in 1978 as  Yagyū Jūbei Mitsuyoshi, a role he would play many times in many forms of media. That might be Sue Shihomi he’s with (I haven’t seen the film in a long time, so I’m not certain).

Sonny Chiba in recent years, an unassuming friendly-looking fellow. My favorite Chiba story is he was making a movie in Japan with this young guy. This was right after he’d done either Kill Bill or The Fast & the Furious 3 (I can’t remember which). This young guy was going around talking [untrue] shit about Chiba in public because, I guess it made him feel cool. Word got back to him this was happening, so Chiba tracked the guy down, found him, and then beat the hell out of him right there in the street in front of everyone. You play with fire, you get burned, kids. Sonny Chiba is a legend. And the world is a lot less awesome without him.

Etsuko " Sue" Shihomi

gifでみる「女必殺五段拳」

麻薬Gメンのダグラスを殺した現場に居合わせた高木。だがその時、こおぉぉ（呼吸音）

「む！菊さん！その男を知ってるのか！邪魔をしないでくれ！」

事情を知らない菊はジムと高木の間に入る。

女優　志穂美悦子 責任編集・山根貞男、特写・若杉憲司 芳賀書店

http://tsun-zaku.tumblr.com/post/50578196753

On April 12, 2019, Sister Street Fighter and Lady Street Fighter were screened as a double-feature on TCM Underground.

Here's some new art inspired by both features!

Sonny Chiba’s Dragon Princess

Check out Dragon Princess - Sue Shihomi - Sonny Chiba - DVD - NEW https://www.ebay.com/itm/234534406337?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=NscypWlkTW2&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=NscypWlkTW2&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=TW #eBay via @eBay #dragonprincess #sueshihomi #sonnychiba #dvd #NEW #junkmanswife2u

Etsuko Shihomi (志穂美悦子)

Today in action-thriller/ martial arts film history: on December 11, 1975 Sister Street Fighter debuted in the Netherlands.

Here's some Etsuko Shihomi art to celebrate!