Pre-2000 Japanese Horror

Cure [キュア] (1997)

In this horror/crime thriller, Detective Takabe and psychologist Sakuma are called in to investigate a wave of murders that is sweeping Tokyo. Takabe brings in a young man who was found near the scene of the latest murder. Astonishingly, when they examine the evidence that links the killings, they find that this man is connected to all of them. Soon, Takabe notices that the man has a strange effect on everyone who comes into contact with him. Is it possible that Takabe will fall victim as well?

Cure was written and directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa, who also adopted the film into a novel. He did the same thing with his film Pulse (2001), by writing, directing, and adopting a novel for that film as well. Cure is an original blend of psychological thriller and detective drama with a focus on psychic phenomena. One of the overall themes of the film is the loss of identity.

Ringu and Ringu 2 (1999)

Based on the Japanese novel by Koji Suzuki, Ringu tells the story of an local legend. This legend centers around a video tape which causes the death of anyone who watches it. This case is investigated by a news reporter, Reiko Asakawa, after her niece is the latest victim of the curse. The investigation leads her to discover a girl named Sadako who has been dead for years.

The concept of a girl with long black hair clothed in white is a classic yūrei. A yūrei is a ghastly entity found across Japanese art dating back to the 14th century. Even the movement of the actress Rie Inō as Sadako is based on the butoh dance style (but filmed backwards). These ancient influences make her appearance on the aging technology of VHS all the more believable. Ringu is a tale of dread with some very scary scenes.

Matango [マタンゴ] (1963)

A group of young people on a pleasure cruise get shipwrecked on a deserted island. The characters are a skipper, a millionaire, a professor, a first mate and a girl next door. Trapped without food, some of them find mushrooms on the island and can’t resist partaking. Consequently, the characters who ate the mushrooms slowly start to transform into mushrooms themselves!

There is a definitely a sentiment of criticism concerning nuclear experimentation in this messed up 1963 classic. Even though this was common of genre films at the time, it’s easy to see that this was the work of Godzilla (1954) director Ishiro Honda. It’s a nightmarish descent into dread and madness, but it could also be argued that it was the template for Gilligan’s Island (1964). 

Kuroneko [藪の中の黒猫] (1968)

Kuroneko, or ‘black cat’, is surprisingly not the oldest film on this list, though it feels timeless. The gorgeous black and white cinematography of Kuroneko not only adds to the atmosphere of the film, but creates a stark contrast. In the Noh fashion, this contrast helps to establish a dreamlike quality in a Japanese feudal setting. Likewise, the movements and choreography are incredible to witness and further the otherworldly feel. 

To summarize the plot, two women are brutalized and killed by samurai soldiers, but they re-appear as vengeful ghosts who seduce and murder any passing samurai. Soon, they come across prey that they don’t want to just simply murder. They want revenge.

Whispering Corridors (1998)

In this slow burning, hypnotic horror/mystery, a Korean all-girls school is haunted by vengeful ghosts. Some classmates team up to discover the truth about the haunting, but they must watch out for the sadistic new teacher as well. Once they find out the meaning behind the death of one of their teachers, it becomes apparent that someone is a false student.

If you like some sleuthing along with your ghosts, the story has plenty of twists and scares to hold your interest. Due to its popularity, there were four more films in the series following Whispering Corridors. There was a sequel called Memento Mori (1999) and then Wishing Stairs in 2003. These were followed by Voice (2005) and A Blood Pledge: Broken Promise (2009). Whispering Corridors went on to influence many Korean horror movies and TV shows beyond just its sequels.

Sweet Home (1989)

A TV crew travels to the late Mamiya Ichiro’s manor in order to study the artist’s famous work. While investigating the frescoes in the home, the crew is attacked by a vengeful spirit. Sweet Home is an excellent haunted mansion/ghost movie with some gothic imagery. It also conveys a touching message about the bond between a mother and her child.

Along with the movie, there was also a Nintendo Famicom game that was released at the same time. This video game is regarded as the blueprint for the Playstation game Resident Evil and is hailed as the very first survival horror game. Sweet Home is one of Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s early films, prior to Cure (1997). He also wrote and directed Pulse (2001), a movie that is on my Top 10 Asian Horror of the 2000s list.

Shikoku (1999)

Several years after moving to Tokyo with her parents, Hinako decides to return to her hometown in rural Shikoku. Shikoku is a large island, one of the five main islands that make up Japan. In Japanese, Shikoku means ‘four provinces’. Shikoku has another meaning however, and that is “land of the dead.”

On this island there are eighty-eight temples, and Hinako learns that her childhood friend, Sayuri, died years ago. Sayuri’s mother, who was known to perform seances, has been making a pilgrimage to all of the temples over the past 8 years. While not as jolting and horrifying as, say, Ju On, the haunting story of Shikoku is about grief and loss as well as local superstitions.

The Vampire Doll (1970), Lake of Dracula [呪いの館 血を吸う眼] (1971), and Evil of Dracula (1974)

Here’s something a little different. Most of the stories in Japanese horror can be traced to the deep traditions that are referenced, such as Noh and kaidan (Japanese ghost stories). However, these three films are an incredible take on Western superstition and Christian folklore through the eyes of a Japanese director.

First of all, the attention to detail is superb. Director Michio Yamamoto combines grotesque Gothic architecture and aesthetics to create a moody, authentic atmosphere. These films are a must for anyone who loves vampire tales and classic British Hammer horror.