Film · Japan · 1920–2015
Setsuko Hara Life & Career Timeline
The luminous centre of Ozu’s family dramas and post-war Japanese cinema.
18 MomentsGet your own timeline now — free
19201934194819621976199020042015
SHSetsuko HaraFilm · Japan
← Drag, scroll or swipe through the timeline →
About this timeline
About Setsuko Hara
Setsuko Hara’s restrained, emotionally precise performances culminated in Late Spring, Early Summer and Tokyo Story.
Page updated
Choose any Moment on the timeline to read its story, see why it matters and continue to the original source. Connected Moments open the other person’s timeline.
This public timeline is created and maintained by Memmie Editorial Team.
Setsuko Hara biography
Setsuko Hara timeline: key events
Explore 18 documented Moments in chronological order. Read the dates, locations and source references below. Where available, additional context explains why a milestone matters.
Born in Yokohama
Masae Aida, later known as Setsuko Hara, was born into a large family.
Source: www.japan-academy-prize.jpFilm debut
At fifteen, Hara entered the Japanese film industry.
Source: www.japan-academy-prize.jpKōchiyama Sōshun
Sadao Yamanaka’s period film became an important early role.
Source: www.japan-academy-prize.jpThe New Earth
The international co-production made Hara a highly visible young star.
Source: www.japan-academy-prize.jpThe Giant
Hara continued a prolific pre-war film career.
Source: www.japan-academy-prize.jpNaval Brigade at Shanghai
She appeared in a prominent wartime production.
Source: www.japan-academy-prize.jpThe War at Sea from Hawaii to Malaya
A large wartime film placed Hara before a nationwide audience.
Source: www.japan-academy-prize.jpThe Opium War
Hara joined an ensemble historical production.
Source: www.japan-academy-prize.jpNo Regrets for Our Youth
Akira Kurosawa cast Hara as a woman transformed by political repression and war.
Source: www.japan-academy-prize.jpA Ball at the Anjo House
The post-war family drama became a major critical success.
Source: www.japan-academy-prize.jpBlue Mountains
The social comedy became one of the year’s most popular films.
Source: www.japan-academy-prize.jpLate Spring
Her first film with Yasujirō Ozu created the beloved Noriko persona.
Source: www.japan-academy-prize.jpEarly Summer
Hara and Ozu explored family expectation and individual choice.
Source: www.japan-academy-prize.jpRepast
Mikio Naruse cast Hara in a subtle portrait of marriage.
Source: www.japan-academy-prize.jpTokyo Story
As widowed daughter-in-law Noriko, Hara gave one of cinema’s most celebrated performances.
Source: www.japan-academy-prize.jpTokyo Twilight
Her final collaboration with Ozu examined a fractured family.
Source: www.japan-academy-prize.jpRetires from acting
Hara quietly left cinema at the height of her reputation.
Source: www.japan-academy-prize.jpDies in Kamakura
Setsuko Hara died aged 95 after more than half a century of private life.
Source: www.japan-academy-prize.jpExplore related timelines
Dwayne Johnson timelineFrom the wrestling ring to global cinema.Jackie Chan timelineStunts, comedy and a lifetime of action cinema.Tom Cruise timelineFour decades of stardom and increasingly impossible missions.Shah Rukh Khan timelineTelevision outsider to the global face of Hindi cinema.Sylvester Stallone timelineAn underdog screenplay becomes a cinema legacy.Brad Pitt timelineFrom character roles to global stardom, producing and Academy Award recognition.
This educational timeline is not endorsed by or affiliated with Setsuko Hara or their representatives. Event text is original editorial copy based on the linked sources.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons contributor · Licence shown on source file
Schools, fan clubs & cultural organisations
Help maintain this public story.
Bring knowledge, archives and a community together around a carefully sourced timeline.
Quick answers
About the Setsuko Hara timeline
Who is Setsuko Hara?
Setsuko Hara’s restrained, emotionally precise performances culminated in Late Spring, Early Summer and Tokyo Story.
How many moments are included?
This public timeline currently contains 18 sourced moments spanning 1920–2015.
Who maintains this timeline?
This public timeline is created and maintained by Memmie Editorial Team. Schools, clubs and cultural organisations can apply to become timeline partners.
Your life deserves its own story.
Bring your photographs, videos and most important Moments together in one beautiful timeline.
Start your own life story now — free