**Shima Iwashita** (born January 3, 1941) is a prominent Japanese actress, celebrated for her intense cinematic career. She achieved international fame in the 1960s, primarily through her collaborations with leading directors such as Shohei Imamura and Masahiro Shinoda (her husband).

Her filmography includes seminal works such as Imamura's *Onibaba* (1964), where she embodies a tormented and sensual woman, and Shinoda's *Double Suicide* (1969), in which she exhibits profound dramatic intensity. She also starred in *Pigs and Battleships* (1961) and the remake of *The Ballad of Narayama* (1983), both directed by Imamura.

Iwashita is known for her ability to portray complex female characters: women who are often strong, resilient, but also vulnerable or tragic, endowed with remarkable inner strength. Her acting style is characterized by contained yet powerful expressiveness, often with a penetrating gaze that conveys emotional intensity.