Sawamura was born in 1901 in Hokkaido, entering the Shochiku Cinema School of Acting in 1920. After graduating she entered the Shochiku Cinema Research Center, making her debut in the Center's first film, Rojo no Reikon. Following this Sawamura featured in Yama Kururu, going over to Shochiku Kamata upon the dissolution of the Research Center. She then resigned from Kamata after failing to receive any major roles, and took a leading part in Tanaka Yushutu Films' Haru no Inochi (The Life of Spring). In 1923 Sawamura joined Nikkatsu Mukojima. Beginning with Hakuchi no Musume (Daughter of a Fool), she became an actress frequently cast in the role of the "tragic woman." After the Great Kanto Earthquake, Sawamura moved to the Nikkatsu Daishogun Studios, where she appeared in Toge no Uta. After moving to their period drama section in 1924, she established a reputation with her appearances in various films, including Gero (The Servant) and Dohatsu (Towering Rage). From around 1928 the roles began to dry up, and she left the company in 1932 at the time of the Nikkatsu strike. Sawamura was later to return to Nikkatsu Tamagawa, but she retired after being unable to reproduce her past form.

See photos of celebrities before they hit the big-time.

Haruko Sawamura

Actress