An uncut Japanese film telling the real-life story of a woman who carried her dead lover’s genitals for days after killing him by asphyxiation during sex remained banned in several countries for years due to its “obscene” content.
Released in 1976, In the Realm of the Senses sparked debate almost immediately, with many viewers unable to watch the original cut for decades due to strict censorship rules and widespread bans tied to its explicit portrayal of sexuality.
A film based on a disturbing real-life story
Directed by the late Nagisa Oshima, the film tells the story of Sada Abe, a geisha and former brothel worker who becomes involved in an intense relationship with her married employer, Kichizō Ishida.
In real life, Abe started working as a waitress at Ishida’s Tokyo restaurant in 1936, only months before she killed him by strangling him during sex. She then chopped off his penis and testicles, wrapped them up in a magazine cover, and carried them with her for three days before she was arrested.
The film was brought to life by actors Eiko Matsuda (Abe, 31) and Tatsuya Fuji (Ishida), who convincingly portrayed the obsessive lovers – a story that had already drawn widespread attention in Japan after the woman brutally murdered the 42-year-old restaurateur in May 1936.
And, Oshima’s decision to depict the disturbing relationship with minimal restraint placed the movie at the center of controversy worldwide.
Film faced bans in multiple countries
One of the main reasons the movie attracted such strong reactions was its depiction of explicit sexual activity and nudity – including genital mutilation and erotic asphyxiation – which many countries considered unacceptable for theatrical release during the 1970s.
The film’s graphic content also placed it in direct conflict with Japan’s strict obscenity laws, which have long regulated how sexuality can be portrayed in visual media.
According to Article 175 of the country’s Criminal Code, Japan prohibits the distribution of content classified as “obscene,” although the law does not clearly define the term.
“Nothing that is expressed is obscene. What is obscene is what is hidden,” Oshima argued in court about In the Realm of the Senses after the government charged him with obscenity, per the New York Times.
The legal limitations significantly affected how the film was released, as authorities restricted the uncut version domestically and several other countries followed suit.
Global bans
According to Collider, the film includes scenes featuring unsimulated sex as well as explicit imagery that contributed to its reputation as one of the most controversial films of its era.
The story itself also moves into disturbing territory as the relationship between Sada and Ishido intensifies, ultimately leading to the fatal encounter that reflects the real-life story.
Because of its scandalous content, the unedited version faced bans not only in Japan but also in the United States, the United Kingdom, and West Germany, limiting audiences’ ability to view the film as originally created.
Delayed release for uncut version
It would take nearly two decades before audiences had wider access to the original version.
Collider reports that the film – the center of censorship battles around the world – remained largely unseen in Japan until the late 2000s, despite attracting attention from international viewers and film scholars curious about its reputation.
In some countries, edited versions gradually made their way to theaters, including a 1991 release in England, where certain scenes were still altered before the film was approved for screening.
Over time, attitudes toward controversial cinema shifted, allowing the full version to become available in countries including the United States, Germany, Australia, and France.
Today, the film is accessible through select streaming platforms, including MUBI, and is also available to rent on Amazon Prime Video, giving modern audiences the opportunity to view a movie that once faced widespread censorship.
You can watch the original trailer here.
Have you ever seen In the Realm of the Senses, or would you consider watching a film that stirred so much controversy? Share this story and let us know your thoughts – we’d like to hear how others feel about one of the most debated movies ever released.
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