is a Japanese-American actress and writer. She acts and writes in both Japanese and English.
Early life Ayako Faith Fujitani was born in Osaka, Japan. She is the daughter of Steven Seagal by his first wife, aikido master Miyako Fujitani. Her parents separated when she was about eight years old. She resided in Los Angeles during her teen years.
Career Acting In 1995, Fujitani made her cinematic debut at age 15 starring in the cult classic Gamera: Guardian of the Universe directed by Shusuke Kaneko. She reprised her role in subsequent films in the series and also featured in an episode of Ultraman Max. In 2000, she played the lead role in the movie Shiki-Jitsu. In 2008, she played the role of Hiroko in the anthology film Tokyo!, directed by Leos Carax, Bong Joon-Ho and Michel Gondry. She also featured in the indie romance Daylight Savings with the supporting role of "Goh" Nakamura's ex-girlfriend, Mozart in the Jungle and The Last Ship. Other film roles include parts in Sansa and Man from Reno.https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0297858/
Writing Fujitani has contributed film reviews to the Japanese magazine Roadshow, and has published several coupled novellas, including Touhimu (Flee-Dream), which was adapted into the film, Shiki-Jitsu, by writer and director Hideaki Anno. She also published Yakeinu (Burnt Dog). Fujitani has written both fiction and non-fiction, contributing essays and short stories to various national publications.
In 2014, Fujitani co-wrote a short film commissioned by Ermenegildo Zegna, entitled A Rose Reborn. The film was directed by Park Chan-wook, Chung Chung-hoon and Michael Werwie, and scored by Clint Mansell. It starred Jack Huston and Daniel Wu.
Other pursuits At age 12, she won the Asian Beauty Contest, held in honor of the Japanese release of the film Police Story 3, kick starting her modeling career.
In 2006, she directed a short drama for TV Tokyo's Drama Factory program.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1995 Gamera: Guardian of the Universe Asagi Kusanagi 1996 Gamera 2: Attack of Legion Asagi Kusanagi 1996 Musashi 1998 The Patriot McClaren's Assistant 1999 Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris Asagi Kusanagi 2000 Pyrokinesis Waitress 2000 Shiki-Jitsu She 2003 Sansa June 2005 Ikusa 2007 Kyaputen Tokio Cafe Gal Owner 2008 Tokyo! Hiroko 2008 Death of Domomata Hamada 2012 Daylight Savings Erika 2012 A Chorus of Angels Kaori Ando 2013 The Doors Tub Girl Short film 2014 Man from Reno Aki 2015 The Lion Standing in the Wind Sakoto Kojima 2015 Hee Mrs. Sanada 2020 I Will Make You Mine Erika 2023 Tokyo Cowboy Keiko Masuda 2026 Karateka Spanish film
Television Year Title Role Notes 2005 Ultraman Max Yuri Sakata Episode: "Prophecy of Baradhi" 2010 Atami no Sousakan Mio Shikishima 2010 FACE MAKER Haruka Shiina 2 episodes 2016 The Last Ship Kyoko 7 episodes 2018 Mozart in the Jungle Yuki 2 episodes
References
External links
Agency profile
Profile at JMDb Ken's Force review of Shikijitsu