Reiko Kato continues gravure comeback with first photo book in 27 years
She might be in her mid-fifties. She might be a nearly forgotten star from the 1990s. But Reiko Kato is proving that age is no obstacle as she continues her gravure comeback.
After a shoot for Weekly Friday magazine late last year that was her first in 26 years, Kato is now set to release a photo book.
Around is her first such release in 27 years. It comes out in October from Kodansha and is shot by high-profile photographer Motofumi Sannomiya. The sensual shoot highlights Kato’s slim and fit body as she poses in sensual swimwear and elegant clothing.
The Saitama native is now 56 years old. She made her gravure debut in 1988 (initially as Yuko Hoshino — then as Hoshino Reiko and finally switching to Reiko Kato in 1989) and was popular at the time (especially as a “beer girl” for Asahi), but retired in 2001 after she got married to a golfer. The couple have a daughter, born in 2003.
She made a semi-comeback in 2012, though limited her work to acting and TV appearances instead of returning to gravure — until last year.
We’ve included some preview images from her upcoming photo book, Around, which is by our count her sixteenth. The pictures show what great shape Kato is in.
