Etsuko Ichihara (Chiba, January 24, 1936 – Tokyo, January 12, 2019) was a Japanese actress and voice actress whose career spanned over six decades. Recognized for her versatility, she is internationally known for her intense performances in Shohei Imamura's films, including *Black Rain* (1989) and *The Eel* (1997). For both roles, she won the Japan Academy Prize for Best Supporting Actress. In her home country, she achieved enormous popularity for her leading role in the long-running television series *Kaseifu wa Mita!*. As a voice actress, her voice is inextricably linked to the celebrated animated series *Manga Nihon Mukashibanashi*, where for nearly twenty years she narrated and voiced numerous characters. For her artistic contributions, she was awarded the Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon by the Japanese government in 1999, solidifying her status as a prominent figure in the country's cultural landscape.