Chiyoda, Tokyo

The Nippon Budokan , often shortened to simply Budokan, is an indoor arena in central Tokyo, Japan. This is the location where many "Live at the... Budokan" albums were recorded. The Nippon Budokan, however, was originally built for the judo competition in the 1964 Summer Olympics, hence its name, rendered in English as Martial Arts Hall. The Nippon Budokan is located in Kitanomaru Park in the center of Tokyo, two minutes' walking distance from Kudanshita Subway Station, and near Yasukuni Shrine. This 42 m high imposing octagonal structure holds 14,201 people and is modeled after Yumedono in Hōryū-ji in Nara. Though it still functions as a venue for big musical events, its primary purpose is for Japanese martial arts . The national championships of the different branches of the martial arts judo, kendo, karate, aikido, shorinji kempo, kyūdō, naginata, etc. are held annually at the Budokan. For wrestling fans the Budokan means professional wrestling's big shows.
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Meiko Kaji , born March 24, 1947 in Chiyoda, Tokyo is a Japanese actress and singer. She has appeared in about 100 films, with her most famous roles... being outlaw characters in early 1970s films, such as the rebels of the Stray Cat Rock series, the assassin Lady Snowblood, or the murderous Sasori from the Female Convict: Scorpion series. Meiko Kaji was born in the Kanda area of Tokyo and graduated from the Yakumo Academy high school in Meguro, Tokyo. She began work in the film industry under her real name, Masako Ota, at Nikkatsu studio in 1965 after graduating from high school. In 1969 she appeared in "Nihon Zankyoden", one of a series of films directed by Masahiro Makino. He recognized her acting ability and gave her the stage name of Meiko Kaji. From 1970 to 1971 she appeared in the Noraneko Rokku series of films about delinquent young people. In 1971, Nikkatsu moved into the pink film business, and to avoid this, Kaji moved to Toei. There she made the Female Convict Scorpion series of films with Shunya Itō.
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