Masako Natsume (夏目 雅子, Natsume Masako?, December 17, 1957 - September 11, 1985) (family name: Nishiyama) was a Japanese model and actress from Tokyo. Widely popular in Japan she gained worldwide recognition for her portrayal as Tripitaka in the TV series Monkey which is now considered a cult classic.
Masako was born Masako Odate in Roppongi, Tokyo, the only daughter of Sue and Kazu Odate. Raised in Naka-ku, Yokohama, while in junior college in 1976 she auditioned for the lead in Nihon TV's Ai Ga Miemasu Ka?. Chosen from 4,000 applicants, she dropped out of school to pursue an acting career, playing the part under her real name Masako Odate. Masako's mother initially objected to her choice of career and requested that she not use the Odate family name if she gained further work. In 1977, she changed her name to Natsume.
In 1977, she was chosen to represent Kanebo Cosmetics, achieving great popularity after appearing topless as the "Kooky Face" girl in an ad for sunscreen. This popularity led to her recording a song later that year called "Oh! Cookie Face". Many bit parts and a few leads in movies followed but she continued in television.
Rio Natsume (夏目理緒, Rio Natsume?, born February 20, 1985) is a Japanese gravure idol. She has released several DVDs and photobooks and has appeared in several TV shows in Japan.
In 2005, Natsume was featured in a video game called "Gal of the Sparrow 2", which also features other popular J-idols such as Chikako Sakuragi, Saori Yamamoto, Yuka Watanabe, Akari, Kaede Shimizu, Hitomi Okada and Hatsune Matsushima. This DVD/video game is sold only in Japan.
In 2009, she came in number seven in the online magazine AskMen.com's list of "Top 10: Japanese Models."