A Vida Secreta de Madame Yoshino

While "Tattooed Flower Vase" is not quite as hypnotically deranged as "Flower & Snake," it is still a strong entry in the seemingly endless stream of Pink films to come out of Japan during this era. (Well it seems endless to me because I want to see them ALL and I know it is impossible.) A classic tale of mother/daughter rivalry ensues when a girl brings home a man who bears a striking resemblance to her mother's late husband. And when it is revealed that Hideo actually IS the son of that man, things quickly spiral out of control, as the two women compete for his affections. Naomi Tani is absolutely beautiful and fascinating in the role of the mother. The daughter comes off as a spoiled child who has been way too sheltered from the real world. But she loses her illusions fast when her mother begins to embrace erotic feelings that have been lying dormant for some time. Hideo is a child of the great Kabuki theater, and that is Michiyo's world. In a wild play for his affections, Michiyo hires a tattoo artist to recreate a scene from the Kabuki theater, covering her breasts and vagina in tattooed splendor. The film, and it's 3 leads soon dissolve into madness for an unforgettable climax. Obviously there is a lot of optical 'fogging' here, and I don't really understand how Konuma thought he would be able to get certain scenes past the censors. Very erotic film, and a fascinating character study as well..

Why should I be surprised this is so good? The guy had already made the influential and original, Flower and Snake, the sensational nunsploitation; Cloistered Nun: Runa's Confession and the sublime, Wife to be Sacrificed and certainly does not disappoint here. Beautifully shot and framed, this is a visual treat from beginning to end. Naomi Tani is as good as ever but the other two protagonists are equally effective and for once the male lead is not some cringing bastard. Quite breathtaking sequences of consensual and non consensual sexual activity and most effective use of colour shape and form with flashbacks but always keeping the eventful tale moving forward. For what would appear to be such a mundane genre, such care and attention to detail is most impressive and should be appreciated by all who chance upon this erotic gem.