Oiran (1983): cast, story & where to watch
1983 · Film · ★ 4.8
Released in 1983, Oiran is a drama, romance and history film directed by Tetsuji Takechi, running about 113 minutes. “A superbly erotic extravaganza — bewitchingly bizarre!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Ayame, a courtesan, attracts the attention of street vendor Kisuke and decides to run away with him to America. Unfortunately, a crazed tattoo artist is obsessed with Ayame's perfect skin as a potential canvas, so he kills Kisuke to keep Ayame in Japan. Later, Ayame is sold to a brothel in Yokohama. Kisuke's ghost possesses her, causing his image to appear tattoo-like on her skin whenever she has sex.
Who’s in it. Oiran stars Takako Shinozuka as Ayame, Kyoko Asuka as Yamabuki, Kozue Azusa as Naruto and Kyoko Hibiki as Rishige, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 4.8/10, Oiran has proved divisive with audiences.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Oiran page.
If you liked it. Fans of Oiran tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Oiran (1983)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Oiran change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Oiran worth watching?
- Oiran holds an audience score of 4.8 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama, romance and history. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Oiran?
- Oiran stars Takako Shinozuka, Kyoko Asuka, Kozue Azusa, Kyoko Hibiki and Takashi Itô.
- When was Oiran released?
- Oiran was released in 1983, with a runtime of about 113 minutes.