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 Odate Masako. 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 on television.
She died from acute leukemia at the age of 27 in 1985 and is buried in Hōfu, Yamaguchi under the name Masako Nishiyama. Edit Biography