Oniroku Dan
Encyclopedia
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. He died May 6, 2011.
on 16 April 1931, Oniroku Dan's interest in the cinema was nurtured early in life because his parents owned a movie theater. Dan claims to have also discovered his interest in S/M very early in life. "I even liked this kind of thing in kindergarten. I remember we had a lovely young teacher in her early twenties. More than anything in the world, I wanted to tie her up."
Growing up during World War II, Dan learned English from American POWs. In the 1950s, he worked as a translator for English-language television programs, including Alfred Hitchcock Presents
. In the 1960s, Dan taught English at a junior high school. While teaching he began writing scripts, under the pseudonym "Matsugoro Kuroiwa," for Pink films produced by small, independent studios. It was during this early stage of his career that Dan's long professional relationship with actress Naomi Tani
began.
In 1974, after years of negotiations, Nikkatsu
finally succeeded in recruiting Tani for their Roman porno series by agreeing to her request that her first film be based on Dan's Flower and Snake. Dan and Tani had objected to departures from Dan's story made in the film's script by director Masaru Konuma
and script-writer Yozo Tanaka. The film, Flower and Snake
, became a major hit for the studio and is credited both with starting the highly successful S/M
genre of Nikkatsu's Roman porno films, and with establishing Naomi Tani
as the third of Nikkatsu's Roman Porno Queens and the first "S/M Queen."
Still offended by the changes in his story for Flower and Snake, Dan refused to participate in the follow-up to that film, Wife to be Sacrificed
. In interviews, Dan claims that this second film, which proved even more successful than Flower and Snake, was based on a story by him, but that he had insisted his name be removed from the credits. Director Masaru Konuma, however, says that it was an original story by Yozo Tanaka.
Nevertheless, Dan and Nikkatsu were able to settle their differences and Dan later gave the studio exclusive rights to his novels, many of which were filmed with Naomi Tani. Dan's association with Nikkatsu continued for more than a decade, even after Tani's retirement from the screen. Though sometimes criticized for their predictability, the formulaic structure he developed for most of his film scripts would become the model for Nikkatsu's successful and long-lived S/M
Roman porno series.
novels, Dan ceased writing and embarked on an ultimately unsuccessful business venture. After a break of nearly a decade, Dan returned to writing, publishing his autobiography, The Flower Must Be Crimson: The World of Oniroku Dan. Soon after coming out of retirement, his popularity was such that he was involved in eight serialized magazine novels and the writing of another book.
, and Miki Takakura.
. But when asked if he ever acted on his S&M and bondage fantasies with his wife, Dan replied, "No way! She would beat my ass."
Director Masaru Konuma calls his own early S/M
films "European type S/M," and says, "Later S/M developed in a very Japanese fashion. The Oniroku Dan way." Konuma says Dan describes three purposes of S/M: "for punishment, for confinement and for a sense of shame," and that "Oniroku Dan dislikes S&M as punishment... his novels and screenplays are centered around the 'humiliation' concept."
Dan confirms Konuma's view by observing, "My book editors often confuse S/M with cruelty and they want me to write some 'punishment tale' for them. This type of story is out of my realm. It just gives me the creeps. Rather, my concept of S/M
is 'distorted sexual desire' or extreme disorientation. It's a male fantasy derived from love... from seeing a beauty suffer through the sense of shame. Therefore, my style contains a romantic, aesthetic, and sometimes decadent fragrance."
Konuma says of Dan's female characters, "In his novels, he's searching for the beauty of women. He creates an ideal woman and proceeds to sell an S/M
'fantasy' to his readers." According to Naomi Tani, Dan's perfect film actress must "look good in a kimono
; she needs to have long jet-black hair; she must have a certain amount of body fat, so the bondage rope makes a clear impression on her skin; and she has to be graceful under torture, with strong facial expressions."
Dan says that Naomi Tani fit all these conditions, and that he used her as the model for several of the women in his novels. Commenting on Tani's sudden retirement at the height of her popularity in 1979, Dan says, "I went into shock. It was the end of the Golden Duo. I almost decided to quit writing."
In summing up Dan's work, Bornoff comments, "Dan has the knack of making sadism respectable." On the growing cult popularity of his Nikkatsu Roman porno films in the United States, Dan acknowledges the differing ways of cultural and artistic expression between the two countries. He comments, "I understand some aspects of the pink film are not acceptable in America. But ultimately, if the American people recognize the special quality [of] Oniroku Dan's world through his sex films - then I am more than happy."
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
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
Nikkatsu
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:...
studio in their Roman Porno series. Dan had a close professional association with actress 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...
throughout her career. He died May 6, 2011.
Early life
Born in Shiga PrefectureShiga Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan, which forms part of the Kansai region on Honshu Island. The capital is the city of Ōtsu.- History :Shiga was known as Ōmi Province or Gōshū before the prefectural system was established...
on 16 April 1931, Oniroku Dan's interest in the cinema was nurtured early in life because his parents owned a movie theater. Dan claims to have also discovered his interest in S/M very early in life. "I even liked this kind of thing in kindergarten. I remember we had a lovely young teacher in her early twenties. More than anything in the world, I wanted to tie her up."
Growing up during World War II, Dan learned English from American POWs. In the 1950s, he worked as a translator for English-language television programs, including Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Alfred Hitchcock Presents is an American television anthology series hosted by Alfred Hitchcock. The series featured dramas, thrillers, and mysteries. By the premiere of the show on October 2, 1955, Hitchcock had been directing films for over three decades...
. In the 1960s, Dan taught English at a junior high school. While teaching he began writing scripts, under the pseudonym "Matsugoro Kuroiwa," for Pink films produced by small, independent studios. It was during this early stage of his career that Dan's long professional relationship with actress 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...
began.
Fame
Oniroku Dan's S&M novel Flower and Snake, is the work which made him famous. In addition to a popular 1974 film, this novel would inspire a series of nine books, and a new series of Nikkatsu Roman porno films released between 1985 and 1987.In 1974, after years of negotiations, Nikkatsu
Nikkatsu
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:...
finally succeeded in recruiting Tani for their Roman porno series by agreeing to her request that her first film be based on Dan's Flower and Snake. Dan and Tani had objected to departures from Dan's story made in the film's script by director Masaru Konuma
Masaru Konuma
is a Japanese director most famous for his Roman Porno films for Nikkatsu during the 1970s.-Early life:Masaru Konuma was born in Otaru, Hokkaidō, on December 30, 1937. Konuma retains no memories of his father who was a teacher...
and script-writer Yozo Tanaka. The film, Flower and Snake
Flower and Snake
aka Flowers and Serpents is a Japanese soft-core S/M film starring Naomi Tani, directed by Masaru Konuma and produced by Nikkatsu. Based on a novel by Oniroku Dan , Japan's best-known author of S&M fiction, Flower and Snake was the first of Nikkatsu’s Roman Porno films to deal with an S&M theme...
, became a major hit for the studio and is credited both with starting the highly successful S/M
BDSM
BDSM is an erotic preference and a form of sexual expression involving the consensual use of restraint, intense sensory stimulation, and fantasy power role-play. The compound acronym BDSM is derived from the terms bondage and discipline , dominance and submission , and sadism and masochism...
genre of Nikkatsu's Roman porno films, and with establishing 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...
as the third of Nikkatsu's Roman Porno Queens and the first "S/M Queen."
Still offended by the changes in his story for Flower and Snake, Dan refused to participate in the follow-up to that film, Wife to be Sacrificed
Wife to Be Sacrificed
is a Japanese soft-core pornographic S/M film starring Naomi Tani and directed by Masaru Konuma. The film was produced by Nikkatsu studios as part of their Roman Porno series.- Background :...
. In interviews, Dan claims that this second film, which proved even more successful than Flower and Snake, was based on a story by him, but that he had insisted his name be removed from the credits. Director Masaru Konuma, however, says that it was an original story by Yozo Tanaka.
Nevertheless, Dan and Nikkatsu were able to settle their differences and Dan later gave the studio exclusive rights to his novels, many of which were filmed with Naomi Tani. Dan's association with Nikkatsu continued for more than a decade, even after Tani's retirement from the screen. Though sometimes criticized for their predictability, the formulaic structure he developed for most of his film scripts would become the model for Nikkatsu's successful and long-lived S/M
BDSM
BDSM is an erotic preference and a form of sexual expression involving the consensual use of restraint, intense sensory stimulation, and fantasy power role-play. The compound acronym BDSM is derived from the terms bondage and discipline , dominance and submission , and sadism and masochism...
Roman porno series.
Retirement and comeback
In the early 1990s, having by then written over two hundred S/MBDSM
BDSM is an erotic preference and a form of sexual expression involving the consensual use of restraint, intense sensory stimulation, and fantasy power role-play. The compound acronym BDSM is derived from the terms bondage and discipline , dominance and submission , and sadism and masochism...
novels, Dan ceased writing and embarked on an ultimately unsuccessful business venture. After a break of nearly a decade, Dan returned to writing, publishing his autobiography, The Flower Must Be Crimson: The World of Oniroku Dan. Soon after coming out of retirement, his popularity was such that he was involved in eight serialized magazine novels and the writing of another book.
In English
Four of his stories that were originally published in Japanese in 1997 were published in English in 2010 by Vertical, Inc. The collection is titled Season of Infidelity and stories have "loosely biographical" elements, while the last story Bewitching Bloom is a telling of his relationship with Naomi Tani, also including notes about three of subsequent Nikkatsu "Queens"; Junko Mabuki, Izumi ShimaIzumi Shima
is a Japanese actress known especially for her roles in Nikkatsu Roman Porno series of films.-Life and career:Shima was born Keiko Ishida in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo, Japan on December 3, 1953. She made her debut with the Nikkatsu studio in the August 1977 Roman Porno film Lady Chatterley In...
, and Miki Takakura.
Oniroku Dan's style
A family man with children, Nicholas Bornoff describes Oniroku Dan as a "man with a genuine aura of rather tweedy, comfortable professorship." Dan has developed his own variation on S&MBDSM
BDSM is an erotic preference and a form of sexual expression involving the consensual use of restraint, intense sensory stimulation, and fantasy power role-play. The compound acronym BDSM is derived from the terms bondage and discipline , dominance and submission , and sadism and masochism...
. But when asked if he ever acted on his S&M and bondage fantasies with his wife, Dan replied, "No way! She would beat my ass."
Director Masaru Konuma calls his own early S/M
BDSM
BDSM is an erotic preference and a form of sexual expression involving the consensual use of restraint, intense sensory stimulation, and fantasy power role-play. The compound acronym BDSM is derived from the terms bondage and discipline , dominance and submission , and sadism and masochism...
films "European type S/M," and says, "Later S/M developed in a very Japanese fashion. The Oniroku Dan way." Konuma says Dan describes three purposes of S/M: "for punishment, for confinement and for a sense of shame," and that "Oniroku Dan dislikes S&M as punishment... his novels and screenplays are centered around the 'humiliation' concept."
Dan confirms Konuma's view by observing, "My book editors often confuse S/M with cruelty and they want me to write some 'punishment tale' for them. This type of story is out of my realm. It just gives me the creeps. Rather, my concept of S/M
BDSM
BDSM is an erotic preference and a form of sexual expression involving the consensual use of restraint, intense sensory stimulation, and fantasy power role-play. The compound acronym BDSM is derived from the terms bondage and discipline , dominance and submission , and sadism and masochism...
is 'distorted sexual desire' or extreme disorientation. It's a male fantasy derived from love... from seeing a beauty suffer through the sense of shame. Therefore, my style contains a romantic, aesthetic, and sometimes decadent fragrance."
Konuma says of Dan's female characters, "In his novels, he's searching for the beauty of women. He creates an ideal woman and proceeds to sell an S/M
BDSM
BDSM is an erotic preference and a form of sexual expression involving the consensual use of restraint, intense sensory stimulation, and fantasy power role-play. The compound acronym BDSM is derived from the terms bondage and discipline , dominance and submission , and sadism and masochism...
'fantasy' to his readers." According to Naomi Tani, Dan's perfect film actress must "look good in a kimono
Kimono
The is a Japanese traditional garment worn by men, women and children. The word "kimono", which literally means a "thing to wear" , has come to denote these full-length robes...
; she needs to have long jet-black hair; she must have a certain amount of body fat, so the bondage rope makes a clear impression on her skin; and she has to be graceful under torture, with strong facial expressions."
Dan says that Naomi Tani fit all these conditions, and that he used her as the model for several of the women in his novels. Commenting on Tani's sudden retirement at the height of her popularity in 1979, Dan says, "I went into shock. It was the end of the Golden Duo. I almost decided to quit writing."
In summing up Dan's work, Bornoff comments, "Dan has the knack of making sadism respectable." On the growing cult popularity of his Nikkatsu Roman porno films in the United States, Dan acknowledges the differing ways of cultural and artistic expression between the two countries. He comments, "I understand some aspects of the pink film are not acceptable in America. But ultimately, if the American people recognize the special quality [of] Oniroku Dan's world through his sex films - then I am more than happy."
Partial filmography
- Flower and SnakeFlower and Snakeaka Flowers and Serpents is a Japanese soft-core S/M film starring Naomi Tani, directed by Masaru Konuma and produced by Nikkatsu. Based on a novel by Oniroku Dan , Japan's best-known author of S&M fiction, Flower and Snake was the first of Nikkatsu’s Roman Porno films to deal with an S&M theme...
(Hana to hebi) director: Masaru Konuma; starring: Naomi TaniNaomi Taniis 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...
(1974) - Oryu's Passion: Bondage SkinOryu's Passion: Bondage Skinis a 1975 Japanese film in Nikkatsu's Roman porno series, directed by Katsuhiko Fujii and starring Naomi Tani and Terumi Azuma.-Synopsis:When the boss of a yakuza clan in 1920s Osaka is assassinated, Oryu, his mistress, vows revenge. Her search for the killer takes her out of the city. The old...
(Oryū jōen: shibari hada) director: Katsuhiko Fujii; starring: Naomi Tani (1975) - Lady MoonflowerLady Moonfloweraka Flower of the Night is a 1976 Japanese film in Nikkatsu's Roman porno series, directed by Katsuhiko Fujii and starring Naomi Tani.-Synopsis:...
(Yugao fujin) aka Flower of the Night director: Katsuhiko Fujii; starring: Naomi Tani (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:...
(Ori no naka no yose) director: Kōyū OharaKoyu Oharais a Japanese film director best known known for his popular Roman Porno films, Fairy in a Cage and the Pink Tush Girl series...
; starring: Naomi Tani (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:...
(Gensō fujin ezu) director: Kōyū Ohara; starring: Naomi Tani (1977) - Skin of Roses (Dan Oniroku Bara No Nikutai) director: Katsuhiko Fujii; starring: Naomi Tani (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...
(Nawa jigoku) director: Kōyū Ohara; starring: Naomi Tani (1978) - Rope CosmetologyRope Cosmetologyaka Rope Makeover and Oniroku Dan: Rope Makeover is a 1978 Japanese film in Nikkatsu's Roman porno series, directed by Shōgorō Nishimura and starring Naomi Tani.-Synopsis:...
(Dan Oniroku nawa geshō) director: Shōgorō Nishimura; starring: Naomi Tani (1978) - Lady Black RoseLady Black Roseaka Madame Black Rose is a 1978 Japanese film in Nikkatsu's Roman porno series, directed by Shōgorō Nishimura and starring Naomi Tani.-Synopsis:...
(Kurobara fujin) aka Madam Black Rose director: Shōgorō Nishimura; starring: Naomi Tani (1978) - Rope and SkinRope and Skinis a 1979 Japanese film in Nikkatsu's Roman porno series, directed by Shōgorō Nishimura and starring Naomi Tani.-Synopsis:Okoma is a female yakuza and gambler who returns to her hometown after a two year absence. She finds that her old boss has been killed and a rival gang is taking over her own...
(Dan Oniroku nawa to hada) director: Shōgorō Nishimura; starring: Naomi Tani (1979) - Bridal Doll (Dan Oniroku hanayome ningyō) director: Katsuhiko Fujii; starring: Asako Kurayoshi (1979)
- White Uniform in Rope Hell (Dan Oniroku hakui nawa jigoku) director: Shōgorō Nishimura; starring: Junko Mabuki (1980)
- Blazing Bondage Lady (Dan Oniroku joen fujin) aka Madam Rope Flame director: Katsuhiko Fujii; starring: Junko Mabuki (1980)
- Image of a Bound Girl (Dan Oniroku shōjo shibari ezu) director: Masaru Konuma; starring: Kumiko Hayano (1980)
- Secretary Rope Discipline (Dan Oniroku onna hisho nawa chokyo) director: Hidehiro Ito; starring: Junko Mabuki (1981)
- Office Lady Rope SlaveOffice Lady Rope Slaveaka Oniroku Dan's OL Rope Slave and sometimes mis-referenced as is a 1981 Japanese film in Nikkatsu's Roman porno series, directed by Katsuhiko Fujii and starring Junko Mabuki.-Synopsis:...
(Dan Oniroku OL nawa dorei) aka Oniroku Dan's OL Rope Slave director: Katsuhiko Fujii; starring: Junko Mabuki (1981) - Female Teacher in Rope Hell (Dan Oniroku onna kyōshi nawa jigoku) director: Shōgorō Nishimura; starring: Junko Mabuki (1981)
- Girl and the Wooden Horse Torture (Dan Oniroku shōjo mokuba-zeme) director: Fumihiko Kato; starring: Serina Nishikawa (1982)
- Blue Woman (Dan Oniroku aoi onna) director: Katsuhiko Fujii; starring: Izumi ShimaIzumi Shimais a Japanese actress known especially for her roles in Nikkatsu Roman Porno series of films.-Life and career:Shima was born Keiko Ishida in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo, Japan on December 3, 1953. She made her debut with the Nikkatsu studio in the August 1977 Roman Porno film Lady Chatterley In...
(1982) - Dark Hair Velvet Soul (Dan Oniroku kurokami nawa fujin) aka Black Hair Velvet Soul, and Rope Lady Black Hair director: Mamoru Watanabe; starring: Izumi ShimaIzumi Shimais a Japanese actress known especially for her roles in Nikkatsu Roman Porno series of films.-Life and career:Shima was born Keiko Ishida in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo, Japan on December 3, 1953. She made her debut with the Nikkatsu studio in the August 1977 Roman Porno film Lady Chatterley In...
(1982) - Female Beautician Rope Discipline (Dan Oniroku onna biyoshi nawa shiiku) director: Hidehiro Ito; starring: Junko Mabuki (1982)
- Beauty in Rope Hell (Dan Oniroku bijo bawa jigoku) director: Genji Nakamura; starring: Miki Takakura (1983)
- Beauty Rope Cosmetology (Dan Oniroku bijo nawa geshō) director: Katsuhiko Fujii; starring: Miki Takakura (1983)
- Snake Hole (Dan Oniroku hebi no ana) director: Katsuhiko Fujii; starring: Izumi ShimaIzumi Shimais a Japanese actress known especially for her roles in Nikkatsu Roman Porno series of films.-Life and career:Shima was born Keiko Ishida in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo, Japan on December 3, 1953. She made her debut with the Nikkatsu studio in the August 1977 Roman Porno film Lady Chatterley In...
(1983) - Best of S&M (SM Daizenshu) aka Oniroku Dan Presents The Best Of Nikkatsu SM director: Fumihiko Katō; (1984)
- Rope Torture (Dan Oniroku nawazeme) director: Ikuo Sekimoto; starring: Miki Takakura (1984)
- Female Bondage Torture (Dan Oniroku reijō nawazeme) aka Hanging Lust director: Satoru KobayashiSatoru Kobayashi (director)was a Japanese film director most famous for directing the first pink film, the type of softcore pornographic films that became the most prolific film genre in Japan during the 1960s and 1970s...
; starring: Yui Maisaka (1984) - Double Rope Torture (Dan Oniroku kinbaku manji-zeme) director: Ikuo Sekimoto; starring: Miki Takakura (1985)
- Beautiful Teacher in Torture Hell (Oniroku Dan: bikyoshi jigokuzeme) director: Masahito Segawa; starring: Ran Masaki (1986)
- Snake and Whip (Dan Oniroku hebi to muchi) director: Shogōrō Nishimura; starring: Ran Masaki (1986)
- Wife to be Molested (Dan Oniroku hitozuma naburi) director: Shuji Kataoka; starring: Shihori Nagasaka (1987)
- Sisters to be Sacrificed (Dan Oniroku ikenie shimai) director: Shogoro Nishimura; starring: Minako Ogawa (1987)
- Exotic Mask in Hell (Dan Oniroku yoen nomen jigoku) director: Fumihiko Kato; starring: Yoshimi Kashiwagi (1988)