Departures of note

Hanayo Sumi, born Setsuko Takashima on February 6, 1932, in Hyogo Prefecture, was one of Japan's most celebrated entertainers. She entered the Takarazuka Music School in 1948 and quickly rose to prominence as a male-role top star in the Takarazuka Revue's Hoshi-gumi troupe. Her powerful performances and striking stage presence made her one of the most popular stars of her era, earning her the affectionate nickname "Macchan" among fans.

In 1963, she retired from Takarazuka to marry actor Tadao Takashima, and the couple became one of Japan's most beloved entertainment pairs. Together they hosted the long-running Nippon Television program "Gochisosama" for 25 years, becoming fixtures in Japanese households. Sumi continued her career as an actress and television personality, appearing in films, dramas, and variety shows well into her later years.

She was the mother of actors Masahiro Takashima and Masanobu Takashima, making the Takashima family one of Japan's most prominent entertainment dynasties. In 2014, she was among the first 100 inductees into the Takarazuka Revue's Hall of Fame, recognizing her lasting contribution to Japanese theater. Sumi died of natural causes on August 3, 2026, at the age of 94.