Actress Sumihana, former Takarazuka top star, dies at 94

Actress Sumihana (real name Takashima Setsuko), a former top star of the Takarazuka Revue's Star (星) troupe, died on 3 August 2026 at 04:43 a.m. from old‑age related causes. She was 94.

Born in 1932 in Nishinomiya, Hyōgo, she joined Takarazuka in 1948, became a leading male‑role star, and earned the 1960 Arts Festival Award for “Karei Naru Senbyōshi”. After retiring in 1963 she married fellow actor Takashima Tadashi; the couple co‑hosted the popular cooking program “Gochisousama” for 26 years. Her sons, Takashima Masahiro and Takashima Masanobu, remembered her as a “great actress” and praised her calm, dignified passing. A private family funeral was held with no public memorial services.