Takamine Hideko was a Japanese actress, singer, and essayist born in Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan. Her real name was Matsuyama Hideko (松山秀子), and her maiden name was Hirayama Hideko (平山秀子). Her family lived in a household run by her grandfather, Rokusho, who managed a soba restaurant called "Maruhira Sobatei." Rokusho was a prominent figure in the area and also owned other establishments like "Maruhira Theater" and "Maruhira Cafe." At the age of four, her mother passed away from tuberculosis. In September 1929, Hideko was taken by her adoptive father, guided by a friend who was a tenant downstairs and an actor at the Shochiku Kamata Studios, to visit the studio. On that day, there happened to be auditions for child actors for the film "Mother". Hideko, pushed by her adoptive father, reluctantly joined the audition at the end of the line, but unexpectedly caught the director's attention and was chosen to play the role of the daughter of the protagonist. She officially joined the Shochiku Kamata Studios on October 1st under the stage name "Takamine Hideko" (高峰秀子). In 1931, she enrolled in Kamata Elementary School, but due to frequent overnight shoots, she could hardly attend school. In her personal life, Hideko's maternal family, the family of her grandfather Rokusho, who had gone bankrupt due to the Hakodate Fire, moved to Tokyo, relying on Hideko. They rented a house in Sendagaya, burdening Hideko with the responsibility of supporting a household of nine people. Around this time, feeling the desire to escape from the film industry, Hideko considered joining the Takarazuka Revue. She discussed this with Hanayagi Shota and Mizutani Yaeko, who then approached Kobayashi Kazuo, the principal of the Takarazuka Music School, on her behalf. They received a response allowing her admission without an audition. However, in early 1937, Hideko was approached by Fujimoto Masumi, wh Watch drama online for free.