Koyu Ohara
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese film director
best known known for his popular Roman Porno films, Fairy in a Cage
(1977) and the Pink Tush Girl series (1978–1980). One of Nikkatsu's most versatile and prolific directors, filming eight movies in 1979 alone, his stylistic preoccupations led him to be known as "King of Pop Art Porn."
as a director. As a child, he claims to have seen up to 200 movies a year. Though he studied law at Keio University
and worked as a secretary to a member of the House of Representatives, rather than take the bar exam, he took an entrance exam at Shochiku
studios. He failed the Shochiku exam, but tried out for Nikkatsu, and began working there as an assistant director in 1961. He was assigned to director Koreyoshi Kurahara, under whom he worked with future Roman Porno master, Tatsumi Kumashiro
.
on the first Roman porno, Apartment Wife: Afternoon Affair (1971), and made his directorial debut the following year with the successful period film, Passion: Ohichi's Love Song (1972). After a major success with 1973's College Girl: Sex Equation, Ohara became one of Nikkatsu's busiest directors. He worked exclusively for Nikkatsu until the mid-1980s, directing 42 films for the studio, four of which were among Nikkatsu's top ten money-makers of all time.
Summarizing his style, the Weissers say, "Director Ohara is one of Nikkatsu's most underrated filmmakers, finally recognized in the late '90s for his forays into pop art... He was easily the studio's hippest director, interminably mixing contemporary music and fashionable events-of-the-day within the traditional pinku eiga format."
Ohara became known for his ability to direct successful pink movies in a variety of genres. He had successes in the S&M genre with Fairy in a Cage
(1977) and Wet Rope Confession. After Nikkatsu had stopped producing "violent pink" films following Yasuharu Hasebe
's 'Rape! 13th Hour (1976), Ohara revived the genre with Zoom Up: Rape Site
(1979). Ohara directed women-in-prison films with the True Story of a Woman in Jail series, and the pink Catholic nun films Sister Lucia's Dishonor (1978) and Wet Rope Confession: Convent Story (1979). On television, he directed children's shows including Three Sisters Shushutorian. He directed successful satirical films like Love Daydream (1980), and office lady sex comedies like I Like It From Behind (1981), and even a pink science-fiction film, Lady Momoko's Adventure (1979) and the musical comedy pink film Oh! Takarazuka (1982). Critic Jasper Sharp considers Ohara's "finest work" to be the 1978 coming-of-age story Pink Tush Girl
which gave rise to two sequels, Pink Tush Girl: Love Attack
and Pink Tush Girl: Proposal Strategy.
He worked with Nikkatsu's top actresses, including Naomi Tani
in Fairy in a Cage
, Rope Hell
(1978) and Fascination: Portrait of a Lady
(1977), all of which were based on scripts by Oniroku Dan
. After directing some darker films, in 1978 Ohara started his light-hearted Pink Tush Girl trilogy. Centered around high-school life and popular music, these films were popular with both male and female audiences.
where he directed films for Golden Harvest
, including the popular China Scandal: Exotic Dance, a co-production with Nikkatsu. He left Nikkatsu in 1984 to concentrate on his interest in popular music. He directed music videos for teen-oriented singers with the Warner/Pioneer label among other Japanese record companies.
Ohara retired from full-time film work in 1988. In 1999, while walking home from a drinking bout, Ohara had a stroke and injured himself in a fall, causing a slow down in his lifestyle and filmmaking. Ohara died on February 20, 2004.
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
best known known for his popular Roman Porno films, Fairy in a Cage
Fairy in a Cage
aka Woman In a Cage is a 1977 Japanese film in Nikkatsu's Roman porno series, directed by Kōyū Ohara and starring Naomi Tani.-Synopsis:...
(1977) and the Pink Tush Girl series (1978–1980). One of Nikkatsu's most versatile and prolific directors, filming eight movies in 1979 alone, his stylistic preoccupations led him to be known as "King of Pop Art Porn."
Early life
Kōyū Ohara attributes his interest in film to the fact that his grandfather had worked at NikkatsuNikkatsu
is a Japanese entertainment company well known for its film and television productions. It is Japan's oldest major movie studio. The name Nikkatsu is an abbreviation of Nippon Katsudō Shashin, literally "Japan Cinematograph Company".-History:...
as a director. As a child, he claims to have seen up to 200 movies a year. Though he studied law at Keio University
Keio University
,abbreviated as Keio or Keidai , is a Japanese university located in Minato, Tokyo. It is known as the oldest institute of higher education in Japan. Founder Fukuzawa Yukichi originally established it as a school for Western studies in 1858 in Edo . It has eleven campuses in Tokyo and Kanagawa...
and worked as a secretary to a member of the House of Representatives, rather than take the bar exam, he took an entrance exam at Shochiku
Shochiku
is a Japanese movie studio and production company for kabuki. It also produces and distributes anime films. Its best remembered directors include Yasujirō Ozu, Kenji Mizoguchi, Mikio Naruse, Keisuke Kinoshita and Yōji Yamada...
studios. He failed the Shochiku exam, but tried out for Nikkatsu, and began working there as an assistant director in 1961. He was assigned to director Koreyoshi Kurahara, under whom he worked with future Roman Porno master, Tatsumi Kumashiro
Tatsumi Kumashiro
was a Japanese film director best known for his critically acclaimed, award-winning Roman Porno films, such as Ichijo's Wet Lust and The Woman with Red Hair...
.
Roman porno
When Nikkatsu made its decision to concentrate almost exclusively on its Roman porno version of the soft-core pink film genre, Ohara was not enthusiastic about the change. Many of Nikkatsu's other directors and actors left the studio at this time rather than work in sex films, but Ohara stayed with the studio, hoping for a chance to direct. He worked as chief assistant director to Shōgorō NishimuraShōgorō Nishimura
-Filmography:* Zankoku onna jōshi * Apartment Wife: Affair In the Afternoon * Affair at Twilight * Drifter's Affair * Sigh of Roses * Apartment Wife: Secret Rendezvous...
on the first Roman porno, Apartment Wife: Afternoon Affair (1971), and made his directorial debut the following year with the successful period film, Passion: Ohichi's Love Song (1972). After a major success with 1973's College Girl: Sex Equation, Ohara became one of Nikkatsu's busiest directors. He worked exclusively for Nikkatsu until the mid-1980s, directing 42 films for the studio, four of which were among Nikkatsu's top ten money-makers of all time.
Summarizing his style, the Weissers say, "Director Ohara is one of Nikkatsu's most underrated filmmakers, finally recognized in the late '90s for his forays into pop art... He was easily the studio's hippest director, interminably mixing contemporary music and fashionable events-of-the-day within the traditional pinku eiga format."
Ohara became known for his ability to direct successful pink movies in a variety of genres. He had successes in the S&M genre with Fairy in a Cage
Fairy in a Cage
aka Woman In a Cage is a 1977 Japanese film in Nikkatsu's Roman porno series, directed by Kōyū Ohara and starring Naomi Tani.-Synopsis:...
(1977) and Wet Rope Confession. After Nikkatsu had stopped producing "violent pink" films following Yasuharu Hasebe
Yasuharu Hasebe
was a Japanese film director best known known for his movies in the "Violent pink" subgenre of the Pink film, such as Assault! Jack the Ripper , Rape! , Rape! 13th Hour and Raping!...
's 'Rape! 13th Hour (1976), Ohara revived the genre with Zoom Up: Rape Site
Zoom Up: Rape Site
is a 1979 Japanese film in Nikkatsu's Roman porno series, directed by Koyu Ohara. This film is the first in Nikkatsu's "Zoom Up" series and its success led to six more sequels in the same motif...
(1979). Ohara directed women-in-prison films with the True Story of a Woman in Jail series, and the pink Catholic nun films Sister Lucia's Dishonor (1978) and Wet Rope Confession: Convent Story (1979). On television, he directed children's shows including Three Sisters Shushutorian. He directed successful satirical films like Love Daydream (1980), and office lady sex comedies like I Like It From Behind (1981), and even a pink science-fiction film, Lady Momoko's Adventure (1979) and the musical comedy pink film Oh! Takarazuka (1982). Critic Jasper Sharp considers Ohara's "finest work" to be the 1978 coming-of-age story Pink Tush Girl
Pink Tush Girl
is a 1978 Japanese film in Nikkatsu's Roman porno series, directed by Kōyū Ohara and starring Kaori Takeda, Ako and Yūko Katagiri. It is based on an award-winning novel by Osamu Hashimoto.-Synopsis:...
which gave rise to two sequels, Pink Tush Girl: Love Attack
Pink Tush Girl: Love Attack
is a 1979 Japanese film in Nikkatsu's Roman porno series, directed by Kōyū Ohara and starring Kahori Takeda and Ako. It is the middle film in the popular Pink Tush Girl trilogy.-Synopsis:...
and Pink Tush Girl: Proposal Strategy.
He worked with Nikkatsu's top actresses, including Naomi Tani
Naomi Tani
is a Japanese actress who is best known for her appearances in Nikkatsu's Roman Porno films with an S&M theme during the 1970s.-Early career:Born October 20, 1948, in the Hakata ward of Fukuoka, Naomi Tani moved to Tokyo at the age of 18. After arrival in Tokyo, she was featured in a photo layout...
in Fairy in a Cage
Fairy in a Cage
aka Woman In a Cage is a 1977 Japanese film in Nikkatsu's Roman porno series, directed by Kōyū Ohara and starring Naomi Tani.-Synopsis:...
, Rope Hell
Rope Hell
is a 1978 Japanese film in Nikkatsu's Roman porno series, directed by Kōyū Ohara and starring Naomi Tani.-Synopsis:Akiko is the heir to a yakuza clan. Hitoshi, who has been kicked out of the rival Hono Clan after attempting to seduce Akiko, kidnaps her at the behest of Hanamura. Hanamura has formed...
(1978) and Fascination: Portrait of a Lady
Fascination: Portrait of a Lady
is a 1977 Japanese film in Nikkatsu's Roman porno series, directed by Kōyū Ohara and starring Naomi Tani. Known for an ability to direct well in many genres, it was the pop-art-influenced Ohara's first true S&M film.-Synopsis:...
(1977), all of which were based on scripts by Oniroku Dan
Oniroku Dan
was a Japanese author who had been called, "the most celebrated writer of popular SM novels in Japan." Many of his stories have been filmed, most notably by Nikkatsu studio in their Roman Porno series. Dan had a close professional association with actress Naomi Tani throughout her career...
. After directing some darker films, in 1978 Ohara started his light-hearted Pink Tush Girl trilogy. Centered around high-school life and popular music, these films were popular with both male and female audiences.
After Roman porno
In 1982 Ohara went to Hong KongHong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
where he directed films for Golden Harvest
Golden Harvest
Golden Harvest is a film production, distribution, and exhibition company based in Hong Kong. It played a major role in becoming the first Chinese film company to successfully enter the western market for an extended period of time, especially with the films of Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan...
, including the popular China Scandal: Exotic Dance, a co-production with Nikkatsu. He left Nikkatsu in 1984 to concentrate on his interest in popular music. He directed music videos for teen-oriented singers with the Warner/Pioneer label among other Japanese record companies.
Ohara retired from full-time film work in 1988. In 1999, while walking home from a drinking bout, Ohara had a stroke and injured himself in a fall, causing a slow down in his lifestyle and filmmaking. Ohara died on February 20, 2004.
Partial filmography
- Passionate: Ohichi's Love Song (Jouen Ohichi no koiuta) (1972) (debut)
- College Girls: Sex Equation (女子大生 ＳＥＸ方程式 - Joshidaisei: Sex hoteishiki (January 12, 1973)
- Japan's Pleasure District: Three Sisters at a Turkish Bath (にっぽん歓楽地帯 トルコ三姉妹 - Nippon kanraku-chitai: toruko sanshimai) (April 4, 1973)
- Secret of the College Girls: Part-Time Sex Pros aka Sex Phobia (（秘）女子大生 ＳＥＸアルバイト - Maruhi joshidaisei: Sex arbeit) (January 26, 1974)
- Man & Woman Sexology: Private Lessons (男女性事学 個人授業 - Danjo seiji-gaku: kojin jugyo) (June 8, 1974)
- True Story of Woman Condemned: Sex Hell (実録おんな鑑別所 性地獄 - Jitsuroku onna kanbetsusho: sei-jigoku) (March 5, 1975)
- True Story of Woman Condemned Continues (Zoku jitsuroku onna kanbetsusho - 続実録おんな鑑別所) (July 1, 1975)
- White Female Cat: Ecstasy at High Noon (白い牝猫 真昼のエクスタシー - Shiroi mesuneko: mahiru no ecstasy) (November 1, 1975)
- New True Story of Woman Condemned to Hell (新・実録おんな鑑別所 －恋獄－ - Shin jitsuroku onna kanbetsusho rengoku) (January 24, 1976)
- Runa's Confession: "Men Crawling All Over Me" (ルナの告白 私に群がった男たち - Runa no kokuhaku: watashi ni muragatta otokotachi) (April 14, 1976)
- Tokyo Secret Night Report: Warm Sap (東京（秘）ナイト・レポート 熱い樹液 - Tokyo maruhi night report: atsui jueki) (September 8, 1976)
- Student Mistress: Taste of a Virgin (学生情婦 処女の味 - Gakusei mabu: shojo no aji) (November 27, 1976)
- Fairy in a CageFairy in a Cageaka Woman In a Cage is a 1977 Japanese film in Nikkatsu's Roman porno series, directed by Kōyū Ohara and starring Naomi Tani.-Synopsis:...
aka Woman in a Cage (檻の中の妖精 - Ori no naka no yosei) (June 4, 1977) - Female Convict 101: SuckFemale Convict 101: Suckis a 1977 Japanese women in prison film in Nikkatsu's Roman porno series, directed by Kōyū Ohara and starring Naomi Tani.-Cast:* Naomi Tani as Tamae Katsuragi* Tokuko Watanabe as Miki Kitayama* Michio Murakami as Ken Kisaragi...
(女囚１０１ しゃぶる - Joshū 101: Shaburu) (August 6, 1977) - Fascination: Portrait of a LadyFascination: Portrait of a Ladyis a 1977 Japanese film in Nikkatsu's Roman porno series, directed by Kōyū Ohara and starring Naomi Tani. Known for an ability to direct well in many genres, it was the pop-art-influenced Ohara's first true S&M film.-Synopsis:...
(幻想夫人絵図 - Genso fujin ezu) (October 1, 1977) - Sister Lucia's Dishonor (修道女ルシア 辱＜けが＞す - Sudojo Lucia: kegasu) (January 7, 1978)
- Pink Tush GirlPink Tush Girlis a 1978 Japanese film in Nikkatsu's Roman porno series, directed by Kōyū Ohara and starring Kaori Takeda, Ako and Yūko Katagiri. It is based on an award-winning novel by Osamu Hashimoto.-Synopsis:...
(桃尻娘 ピンク・ヒップ・ガール - Momojiri musume: Pinku hippu gaaru) (April 29, 1978) - Rope HellRope Hellis a 1978 Japanese film in Nikkatsu's Roman porno series, directed by Kōyū Ohara and starring Naomi Tani.-Synopsis:Akiko is the heir to a yakuza clan. Hitoshi, who has been kicked out of the rival Hono Clan after attempting to seduce Akiko, kidnaps her at the behest of Hanamura. Hanamura has formed...
(縄地獄 - Nawa jigoku) (June 24, 1978) - Wet & Rope aka Wet Rope Confession (修道女 濡れ縄ざんげ - Shudojo: nure nawa zange) (January 20, 1979)
- Pink Tush Girl: Love AttackPink Tush Girl: Love Attackis a 1979 Japanese film in Nikkatsu's Roman porno series, directed by Kōyū Ohara and starring Kahori Takeda and Ako. It is the middle film in the popular Pink Tush Girl trilogy.-Synopsis:...
(桃尻娘 ラブアタック - Momojiri musume: rabu atakku) (April 28, 1979) - Koichiro Uno's Female Gymnastic Teacher (宇能鴻一郎の女体育教室 - Uno Koichiro no onna taiiku kyoshi) (August 4, 1979)
- Zoom Up: Rape SiteZoom Up: Rape Siteis a 1979 Japanese film in Nikkatsu's Roman porno series, directed by Koyu Ohara. This film is the first in Nikkatsu's "Zoom Up" series and its success led to six more sequels in the same motif...
(ズームアップ 暴行現場 - Zoom Up: boko genba) (September 8, 1979) - Lady Momoko's Adventure (桃子夫人の冒険 - Momoko fujin no boken) (December 22, 1979)
- Pink Tush Girl: Proposal Strategy (桃尻娘 プロポーズ大作戦 - Momojiri musume: purpozu daisakusen) (April 26, 1980)
- Red Fleeting Rain (赤い通り雨 - Akai toori-ame) (August 2, 1980)
- Love Daydream (愛の白昼夢 - Ai no hakujitsumu) (September 6, 1980)
- From the Back or From the Front (後から前から - Ushiro kara mae kara) (December 26, 1980)
- Lady Caligula in Tokyo (東京カリギュラ夫人 - Tokyo Caligula fujin) (March 6, 1981)
- Essential Information for a College Girl (女子大生の基礎知識 ＡＮＯ ＡＮＯ - Joshidaisei no kiso chishiki: ano ano) (April 24, 1981)
- I Like it From Behind (バックが大好き！ - Bakku ga daisuki) (July 10, 1981)
- Female Gymnastic Teacher: "Step and Open" (女体育教師 跳んで開いて - Onna taiiku kyôshi: funde hiraite) (October 9, 1981)
- Pink Tush Girls: Slinking Classmates (桃尻同級生 まちぶせ - Momojiri dokyusei: machibuse) (January 22, 1982)
- Seiko's Juicy Thighs: Zoom Up (ズームアップ 聖子の太腿 - Zoom Up: Seiko no futomomo) (February 26, 1982)
- White Rose Campus: Then Everybody Gets Raped (白薔薇学園 そして全員犯された - Shirobara gakuen: soshite zenin okasareta) (June 25, 1982)
- Gigolo: A Docu-Drama (実録色事師 ザ・ジゴロ - Jitsuroku irogotoshi: The Gigolo) (October 15, 1982)
- Oh! Takarazuka! (ＯＨ！タカラズカ - Oh! Takarazuka) (December 24, 1982)
- China Scandal: Exotic Dance (チャイナスキャンダル 艶舞 - China scandal: Enbu) (October 28, 1983)