Trivia

English Translator: Early in his career during the 1950s, he worked as a translator for English-language television programs, including the famous series Alfred Hitchcock Presents.

Junior High Teacher: Before becoming a full-time author, he spent part of the 1960s teaching English at a junior high school while secretly writing "Pink Film" scripts under a different pseudonym.

Family Cinema Roots: His interest in film began in childhood because his parents owned and operated a movie theater.

Short Retirement: He briefly retired from writing in the early 1990s to pursue a business venture. When it failed, he returned to writing and found his popularity was higher than ever.

Naomi Tani Partnership: He had a legendary professional partnership with actress Naomi Tani; she starred in many of the most famous film adaptations of his work, including the original Flower and Snake.