Rui Sakuragi
Encyclopedia
, is a former Japanese AV Idol
who has been described as a "real AV Queen", the "top Japanese AV idol of the mid-1990's" and the "biggest star" in AV in 1992. She has also appeared widely in mainstream films and videos and on TV.
label in April 1989 under the name Masako Ichinose but took the name Rui Sakuragi the following year. She sometimes worked for other studios but VIP (and its successor Atlas21
) was her main label for the next two years. Her work for them included a 7-man orgy in Golden Pavilion Temple 2 and cosplay
in The Uniform Connection Special. Sakuragi announced that her April 1992 release for VIP
, The Last of Rui Sakuragi would be her final work and left with a tearful farewell.
According to a 1992 article, whereas an attractive leading lady in AV could command 1.5 to 2 million yen (about $10,000 to $15,000) for a video, "Sakuragi, the biggest star at present" made 3 million yen (more than $20,000) per project.
Sakuragi had married just before her retirement and bored with nothing to do started a career as a stripper in clubs throughout Japan. Almost 4 years later and once again single (and poor), Sakuragi returned to AV with a contract with Atlas21 for 3 videos beginning with Phoenix Once Again in March 1996. After the third video, Super AV Idol Legend, fan response convinced her to do a fourth and final film, Good Bye Rui Sakuragi. Since her retirement, Atlas21, Kuki, and Alice Japan have all released compilations of her earlier videos.
During her AV career and after her retirement, Sakuragi also worked extensively in mainstream movies and softcore pink film and V-Cinema
productions. In February 1992 she appeared in Sakuragi Rui: Gushonure Kahanshin, directed by the noted pink film woman director Sachi Hamano
. Another early movie was the March 1992 , a drama of romance and revenge set in the Parisian fashion industry where she co-starred with Kayo Matsuo
. She also had a leading role in an episode of the long-running TV drama Kaseifu ha mita (家政婦は見た!) broadcast by TV-Asahi on December 4, 1997. Later, she was a regular on the NTV
love story/suspense drama Tsumetai tsuki (冷たい月) which ran in 10 episodes from January to March 1998. In 2002, she had a voice role in the anime
erotic-horror film Youjuu Kyoushitsu Chapter 2 (Demon Beast Invasion Chapter 2) with another former AV Idol, Riria Yoshikawa
.
AV Idol
An AV idol is a Japanese idol who works in the pornographic business, often both as an actress as well as a model as the video performances have a wide range, from just the idol strolling around their house doing chores in bikinis to hardcore porn...
who has been described as a "real AV Queen", the "top Japanese AV idol of the mid-1990's" and the "biggest star" in AV in 1992. She has also appeared widely in mainstream films and videos and on TV.
Life and career
Rui Sakuragi was born on March 8, 1970. After having previously been a "gravure" (non-sex) model, she made her adult video (AV) debut for the VIPAtlas21
, formerly known as VIP, is a Japanese adult video company with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.-VIP:The AV company was founded in June 1981 and issued its first video, titled , in December of that same year making it one of the first adult video companies to be established in Japan. The studio...
label in April 1989 under the name Masako Ichinose but took the name Rui Sakuragi the following year. She sometimes worked for other studios but VIP (and its successor Atlas21
Atlas21
, formerly known as VIP, is a Japanese adult video company with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.-VIP:The AV company was founded in June 1981 and issued its first video, titled , in December of that same year making it one of the first adult video companies to be established in Japan. The studio...
) was her main label for the next two years. Her work for them included a 7-man orgy in Golden Pavilion Temple 2 and cosplay
Cosplay
, short for "costume play", is a type of performance art in which participants don costumes and accessories to represent a specific character or idea. Characters are often drawn from popular fiction in Japan, but recent trends have included American cartoons and science fiction...
in The Uniform Connection Special. Sakuragi announced that her April 1992 release for VIP
Atlas21
, formerly known as VIP, is a Japanese adult video company with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.-VIP:The AV company was founded in June 1981 and issued its first video, titled , in December of that same year making it one of the first adult video companies to be established in Japan. The studio...
, The Last of Rui Sakuragi would be her final work and left with a tearful farewell.
According to a 1992 article, whereas an attractive leading lady in AV could command 1.5 to 2 million yen (about $10,000 to $15,000) for a video, "Sakuragi, the biggest star at present" made 3 million yen (more than $20,000) per project.
Sakuragi had married just before her retirement and bored with nothing to do started a career as a stripper in clubs throughout Japan. Almost 4 years later and once again single (and poor), Sakuragi returned to AV with a contract with Atlas21 for 3 videos beginning with Phoenix Once Again in March 1996. After the third video, Super AV Idol Legend, fan response convinced her to do a fourth and final film, Good Bye Rui Sakuragi. Since her retirement, Atlas21, Kuki, and Alice Japan have all released compilations of her earlier videos.
During her AV career and after her retirement, Sakuragi also worked extensively in mainstream movies and softcore pink film and V-Cinema
V-Cinema
Japanese is the direct-to-video industry that appeared in Japan in the 1980s. The term is a trademark of Toei Company but is widely used in the West to describe any Japanese direct-to-video release. In Japan the term used is...
productions. In February 1992 she appeared in Sakuragi Rui: Gushonure Kahanshin, directed by the noted pink film woman director Sachi Hamano
Sachi Hamano
aka and , is a Japanese film director. She is the most prolific and written-about female pink film director.-Life and career:Sachi Hamano was born as Sachiko Suzuki in Tokushima Prefecture on March 19, 1948. While in high school, Hamano decided she wanted to become a film director...
. Another early movie was the March 1992 , a drama of romance and revenge set in the Parisian fashion industry where she co-starred with Kayo Matsuo
Kayo Matsuo
is a Japanese actress. She retired from acting following the Kobe earthquake.-Partial filmography:# Endless Desire # My Second Brother # Hikaru umi...
. She also had a leading role in an episode of the long-running TV drama Kaseifu ha mita (家政婦は見た!) broadcast by TV-Asahi on December 4, 1997. Later, she was a regular on the NTV
Nippon Television
is a television network based in the Shiodome area of Minato, Tokyo, Japan and is controlled by the Yomiuri Shimbun publishing company. Broadcasting terrestrially across Japan, the network is commonly known as , contracted to , and abbreviated as "NTV" or "AX".-Offices:*The Headquarters : 6-1,...
love story/suspense drama Tsumetai tsuki (冷たい月) which ran in 10 episodes from January to March 1998. In 2002, she had a voice role in the anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
erotic-horror film Youjuu Kyoushitsu Chapter 2 (Demon Beast Invasion Chapter 2) with another former AV Idol, Riria Yoshikawa
Riria Yoshikawa
is a Japanese actress, AV Idol, and gravure idol.-Life and career:Riria Yoshikawa was born on July 11, 1970 in Tokyo, Japan and made her adult video debut at age twenty in the November 1990 Alice Japan release, . Yoshikawa was the star of director Sachi Hamano's pink film, released by Exces in...
.
Partial filmography
| Release date | Video title | Company | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990-06-16 | Suddenly, Like a Fire |
VIP Atlas21 , formerly known as VIP, is a Japanese adult video company with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.-VIP:The AV company was founded in June 1981 and issued its first video, titled , in December of that same year making it one of the first adult video companies to be established in Japan. The studio... 7B-044 |
Kunihiro Hasegawa Kunihiro Hasegawa is a Japanese adult video director who has helmed more than 200 videos during his long career.-Life and career:Hasegawa began directing adult videos at least as early as June 1987 with , starring actress Keiko Nakazawa, for V&R Planning, a studio which had been founded just the year before by... |
|
| 1990-10-06 | I Wanna Lick Your Balls & Chains |
Stella Atlas21 , formerly known as VIP, is a Japanese adult video company with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.-VIP:The AV company was founded in June 1981 and issued its first video, titled , in December of that same year making it one of the first adult video companies to be established in Japan. The studio... STV-1023 |
||
| 1991-01-01 | Bizzare Bride |
Kuki Vinl Kuki Inc. is a Japanese adult video company which has its headquarters in Ebisu Minami in the Shibuya ward of Tokyo. The company is involved in the production and distribution of videos, satellite and cable TV, and a large internet site, X CITY.-Company history:... JF-62 |
||
| 1991-03-22 | Golden Pavilion Temple 2 Kinkakuji 2 |
VIP Atlas21 , formerly known as VIP, is a Japanese adult video company with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.-VIP:The AV company was founded in June 1981 and issued its first video, titled , in December of that same year making it one of the first adult video companies to be established in Japan. The studio... 8B-017 |
Shuji Onizawa | |
| 1991-05-17 | Queen Rui I World - Fascination Lingerie Lage |
VIP Atlas21 , formerly known as VIP, is a Japanese adult video company with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.-VIP:The AV company was founded in June 1981 and issued its first video, titled , in December of that same year making it one of the first adult video companies to be established in Japan. The studio... 8B-031 |
Manichi Kurita | |
| 1991-07-12 | Hole Do Up 3 |
VIP Atlas21 , formerly known as VIP, is a Japanese adult video company with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.-VIP:The AV company was founded in June 1981 and issued its first video, titled , in December of that same year making it one of the first adult video companies to be established in Japan. The studio... 8D-047 |
Pusuke Yamada | |
| 1991-08-03 | The Practice - Give me a Real Workout |
Stella Atlas21 , formerly known as VIP, is a Japanese adult video company with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.-VIP:The AV company was founded in June 1981 and issued its first video, titled , in December of that same year making it one of the first adult video companies to be established in Japan. The studio... STV-1053 |
Fumito Mitsuoka | |
| 1991-08-30 | The Uniform Connection Special |
VIP Atlas21 , formerly known as VIP, is a Japanese adult video company with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.-VIP:The AV company was founded in June 1981 and issued its first video, titled , in December of that same year making it one of the first adult video companies to be established in Japan. The studio... 8B-059 |
Kei Morikawa | |
| 1991-10-07 | DOUBT | Royal Art / Deluxe Paris DP-031 |
Akira Ishigaki | |
| 1991-11-09 | Super Bondage 2 |
Stella Atlas21 , formerly known as VIP, is a Japanese adult video company with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.-VIP:The AV company was founded in June 1981 and issued its first video, titled , in December of that same year making it one of the first adult video companies to be established in Japan. The studio... STV-065 |
Hiroshi Amatsu | |
| 1991-11-22 | Flash Paradise |
Alice Japan Alice Japan was established on April 4, 1986 as the adult video label for Japan Home Video .-Company information:The early AVs produced by JHV went under the Penguin label, the first title being the 30 minute long softcore Asobinasareya, Tadakurue starring Hidemi Nakajima released May 21, 1984 with... KA-1435 |
Rokurō Mochizuki Rokuro Mochizuki is a Japanese film director who has worked in pink film, adult videos and mainstream cinema. He won the award for Best Director at the 19th Yokohama Film Festival for Onibi and A Yakuza in Love.-Early career - Pink film:... |
|
| 1991-12-27 | Rui Sakuragi Raped! |
Stella Atlas21 , formerly known as VIP, is a Japanese adult video company with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.-VIP:The AV company was founded in June 1981 and issued its first video, titled , in December of that same year making it one of the first adult video companies to be established in Japan. The studio... STV-1072 |
Jun Hirayama | |
| 1992-01-17 | Special Ecstasy |
Alice Japan KA-1445 |
Akira Ishigaki | |
| 1992-02-21 | Rui Sakuragi's Recorder of Love |
VIP Atlas21 , formerly known as VIP, is a Japanese adult video company with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.-VIP:The AV company was founded in June 1981 and issued its first video, titled , in December of that same year making it one of the first adult video companies to be established in Japan. The studio... 9B-013 |
Akira Takatsuki | |
| 1992-02-28 | Sakuragi Rui: Gushonure Kahanshin V: |
Xces | Sachi Hamano Sachi Hamano aka and , is a Japanese film director. She is the most prolific and written-about female pink film director.-Life and career:Sachi Hamano was born as Sachiko Suzuki in Tokushima Prefecture on March 19, 1948. While in high school, Hamano decided she wanted to become a film director... |
Pink film With Kan'ichi Hiraga |
| 1992-04-10 | The Last of Rui Sakuragi |
VIP Atlas21 , formerly known as VIP, is a Japanese adult video company with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.-VIP:The AV company was founded in June 1981 and issued its first video, titled , in December of that same year making it one of the first adult video companies to be established in Japan. The studio... 9B-027 |
||
| 1992-06-19 | Flash Paradise - 8 Renpatsu!! |
Alice Japan KA-1479 |
Rokurō Mochizuki Rokuro Mochizuki is a Japanese film director who has worked in pink film, adult videos and mainstream cinema. He won the award for Best Director at the 19th Yokohama Film Festival for Onibi and A Yakuza in Love.-Early career - Pink film:... |
With Hitomi Nishina, Izumi Morikawa, Mariko Kishi, Mirei Asaoka, Mizuki Sakaori, Reika & Riria Yoshikawa Riria Yoshikawa is a Japanese actress, AV Idol, and gravure idol.-Life and career:Riria Yoshikawa was born on July 11, 1970 in Tokyo, Japan and made her adult video debut at age twenty in the November 1990 Alice Japan release, . Yoshikawa was the star of director Sachi Hamano's pink film, released by Exces in... |
| 1992-10-02 | Rape Rave 8 Renpatsu!! |
Alice Japan KA-1500 |
With Izumi Morikawa, Miyuki Shoji & 5 other actresses | |
| 1996-03-29 | Phoenix Once Again |
Atlas21 Atlas21 , formerly known as VIP, is a Japanese adult video company with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.-VIP:The AV company was founded in June 1981 and issued its first video, titled , in December of that same year making it one of the first adult video companies to be established in Japan. The studio... 6A-035 |
Shuji Onizawa | |
| 1996-04-23 | Fuck Rui Sakuragi!! |
Atlas21 6A-044 |
Eitaro Onuma | |
| 1996-05-25 | Super AV Idol Legend |
Atlas21 6A-054 |
Akira Takatsuki | |
| 1996-07-16 | Good Bye Rui Sakuragi |
Atlas21 6A-071 |
Hidekazu Takahara | |
| 1996-09-17 | Premium Collection Vol.1 |
Atlas21 6A-092 |
Tsukasa Hashimoto | Compilation including Suddenly, Like a Fire and The Last of Rui Sakuragi |
| 1996-10-15 | Premium Collection Vol.2 |
Atlas21 6A-101 |
Tsukasa Hashimoto | Compilation including Phoenix Once Again, Good Bye Rui Sakuragi and behind the scene images |
| 1997-01-24 | AV Memorial Chapter 2 Rui Sakuragi |
Kuki Kuki Inc. is a Japanese adult video company which has its headquarters in Ebisu Minami in the Shibuya ward of Tokyo. The company is involved in the production and distribution of videos, satellite and cable TV, and a large internet site, X CITY.-Company history:... HKD-042 |
Compilation from four earlier films | |
| 1997-11-21 | Chikan Shuki: Gozen Hachi-ji no Seishōdō |
Caress Communications | Tarō Sugiyama | 78 min. V-Cinema V-Cinema Japanese is the direct-to-video industry that appeared in Japan in the 1980s. The term is a trademark of Toei Company but is widely used in the West to describe any Japanese direct-to-video release. In Japan the term used is... With Yōko Satomi Yōko Satomi is a Japanese pink film actress who has also used the name . Variations on the spelling of her name include , , and . She has appeared in award-winning pink films, and was herself given a "Best Actress" award for her work in this genre in 1999 and 2001.... (as Saki Shiratori) |
| 2002-10-25 | BEST 4 Hours Rui Sakuragi |
Atlas21 Atlas21 , formerly known as VIP, is a Japanese adult video company with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.-VIP:The AV company was founded in June 1981 and issued its first video, titled , in December of that same year making it one of the first adult video companies to be established in Japan. The studio... AVD-114 |
Compilation of 4 of her earlier films | |
| 2003-07-25 | BEST 4 Hours Rui Sakuragi 2 |
Atlas21 AVD-150 |
Compilation of 4 of her earlier films | |
| 2006-01-27 | BEST 4 Hours Rui Sakuragi 3 |
Atlas21 AVD-292 |
Compilation of 3 of her earlier videos | |
| 2007-10-12 | Alice Pink File with new mosaic standard, Rui Sakuragi |
Alice Japan Alice Japan was established on April 4, 1986 as the adult video label for Japan Home Video .-Company information:The early AVs produced by JHV went under the Penguin label, the first title being the 30 minute long softcore Asobinasareya, Tadakurue starring Hidemi Nakajima released May 21, 1984 with... Pink PDV-025 |
Compilation of scenes from earlier videos with the new thinner censorship mosaic |