"The Vertical Smile" is a term that primarily refers to the English title of a specific Japanese film and, secondarily, is used as a colloquial euphemism.
The Film
The Vertical Smile (original Japanese title: 悦楽, Etsuraku, meaning "Ecstasy" or "Pleasure") is a 1969 Japanese erotic drama film.
- Director: Yasuharu Hasebe
- Studio: Nikkatsu
- Genre: Classified within the "pink film" genre, which refers to Japanese softcore or occasionally hardcore erotic films produced primarily from the 1960s to the 1980s.
- Synopsis: The film explores themes of sexual desire, psychological introspection, and unconventional relationships, often within the context of the era's counter-cultural movements and sexual liberation. Like many pink films, it features explicit content but often weaves it into a dramatic or artistic narrative. Its English title is a direct, albeit poetic, reference to female genitalia, setting a clear expectation for its subject matter.
Colloquial Usage
Beyond the film, "the vertical smile" is sometimes used as an informal, often vulgar or suggestive, euphemism for the vulva or vagina. This usage directly refers to the visual appearance of the labia, which are oriented vertically, combined with the metaphorical "smile" implying pleasure or allure associated with female genitalia. This euphemism is typically employed in informal or sexually charged contexts.