AniWorthThe Sensualist
Introduction
The OVA is based on incidents in the novel Koshoku Ichidai Otoko (The Life of an Amorous Man) by Saikaku Ihara (1642-1693).
The libertine Yonosuke has spent his life in quest of sexual pleasure. Disowned by his father when he is 18, 16 years full of changes and errantry begin for him. At the age of 34 he inherits great wealth after his father dies and forgives his son.
When Yunosuke is 57, one of his tailors named Juzo comes to see him before setting out for Edo. Juzo has unwisely made a bet with a rich merchant that he will sleep with Komurasaki, the most renowned courtesan in Edo, at the first meeting. If he succeeds he will win a villa, but if he loses he will lose his manhood. Yunosuke is astounded as he knows how hard the high rank courtesans are to get. The best courtesans, tayu, as well as being beautiful, were highly cultured, being educated in poetry, calligraphy, painting, tea ceremony and other arts. They would sleep with a client only on the third night, the other two nights being taken up with greetings and other social niceties. Humble men, to whom they were 'untouchable' looked up to them with adoration and respect.
Indignant, Yunosuke takes Juzo to Edo and enables him to meet Komurasaki. Juzo is a laughing-stock at the tea-house because of his nervousness, and soon becomes drunk. He clumsily spills wine over the courtesan's kimono. Unperturbed, she goes out and returns wearing a fresh, identical garment.
(Source: AniDB)
Audience ratings
MyAnimeList / Tenrai : 6.08/10 · 1369
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Audience reviews
3 · Sample from the first available page, separate from the total number of ratings.
literaturenerd
Overview:
A few years ago, I wrote a review for an avantgarde hentai called "Belladonna of Sadness". Earlier this year, I looked at the grotesque yet captivating Shoujo Tsubaki. Now it's finally time to complete the holy trinity of art hentai! This is "The Sensualist", the king of artsy hentai!
Background:
This film was written by the legendary Eiichi Yamamoto, who also wrote and directed Belladonna. This one dude REALLY wanted to make artsy hentai a thing, but nobody else wanted to ride that train with him. While I liked Belladonna, I still had a few issues with it. Here Yamamoto has improved his craft. The surreal visuals actually add meaningfully to the experience, whereas in Belladonna I just found them distracting.
The film is based on a famous Japanese erotic story called "Life o…
Read at the sourceKrunchyman
“He slept with every famous courtesan, attaining the very zenith of sensuality.” — Narrator
“Damn! Those Chinese herbs must be powerful as hell to prevent all those STD’s.” — Krunchyman
In the days where internet porn did not exist (let alone a nudie mag), amorous old men peeked through tiny slits of doors while their soft-headed friend(s) slipped their trouser snake into a prestigious courtesan’s delicate — albeit used — flower. It’s not the most decent way to get your clam sauce out, but not everyone can sling dick with 3742 women and 725 men (like Yunosuke).
The Sensualist (Koushoku Ichidai Otoko) is not so much a story, as it is an artistic representation of Yunosuke’s — various — sexual encounters. Symbolic imagery is a vital component to understanding the words that are never spo…
Read at the sourceBikeJones
This was a very interesting little film. Based off of a novel from the Edo period, it does well at capturing the atmosphere of the time. The art style was far and beyond almost anything I've seen before. It took a traditional, almost Ukiyo-e style of Japanese art and animated it into a consistently beautiful thing to look at. However, art style alone can not support a film. While the story certainly had nothing wrong with, it truly wasn't anything special. While somewhat suspenseful, occasionally amusing and amounting to an interestingly bizarre ending, the plot never really immerses the viewer as much as its art initially takes the viewer into the setting.
I recommend it, even if only for the art style. It does have a relatively interesting story, just don’t expect anything too gripping.
Read at the source