Tamaki Katori

Tamaki Katori, born on October 21, 1938, and passing away on October 12, 2015, was a renowned Japanese actress celebrated for her groundbreaking contributions to the genre of "pink films," a style of softcore erotic cinema that emerged in the 1960s and early 1970s.

Katori's journey in the film industry began after she won a beauty contest in Kumamoto, leading her to join Nikkatsu Studios. Initially taking on minor roles, she transitioned to independent pink films due to financial reasons, earning the affectionate title of "Pink Princess." Over a prolific decade from 1962 to 1972, she starred in over 600 films, collaborating with notable directors such as Satoru Kobayashi, Kōji Wakamatsu, and Giichi Nishihara.

Her career highlights include her debut pink film, "Flesh Market" (Nikutai no Ichiba, 1962), which set the stage for her future roles. She also gained international recognition for "Sex Jack" (1970), directed by Kōji Wakamatsu, which was presented at the Cannes Film Festival. Another significant work was "Sex Family" (1971), in which she starred alongside Junko Miyashita. These films were instrumental in shaping the early pink film movement, preceding the later Roman Porno era of Nikkatsu.

After retiring from acting, Katori experienced a varied life, including three marriages and ventures into running a petrol station and a company canteen.