**Kayoko Kishimoto** is a Japanese actress particularly known for her intense collaborations with director Takeshi Kitano. She has starred in many of his most acclaimed films, becoming a recognizable face of Japanese art-house cinema.

Her most memorable performances include that of the terminally ill wife in *Hana-bi* (1997), the mother in the poignant *Kikujiro* (1999), and the Geisha O-Kin in the visionary *Dolls* (2002). She also appeared in Kitano's own *Zatoichi* (2003).

Kishimoto stands out for her ability to embody often resilient female characters, silent yet deeply expressive, who carry the weight of personal dramas with remarkable dignity. Her acting is characterized by a subtle intensity and a restrained emotionality, making her an emblematic figure of contemporary Japanese art-house cinema.