Kōji Shiraishi (白石 晃士, Shiraishi Kōji), born June 1, 1973, in Fukuoka, Japan, is a Japanese film director, screenwriter, and occasional actor best known for his extensive work in the horror genre. Recognized for his eerie storytelling and distinct style, Shiraishi has directed a range of cult-favorite horror films including Noroi: The Curse (2005), Carved: The Slit-Mouthed Woman (2007), Occult (2009), Cult (2013), and the crossover hit Sadako vs. Kayako (2016). His specialty lies in creating pseudo-documentary horror films that blur the lines between fiction and reality.
Shiraishi’s passion for filmmaking began in high school, where he created his first video project. He went on to study at Kyushu Sangyo University’s Faculty of Art and Design but was expelled in his second year due to unpaid tuition. Despite this setback, he remained active in the Film Studies Society and gained experience working on films like August in the Water by Sōgo Ishii. His early independent films, such as Violent Men and The Wind Shall Blow, received accolades at local film festivals, signaling his promise as a creative storyteller.
Throughout the 2000s, Shiraishi established himself in the horror video market with entries in the Honto ni Atta! Noroi no Video series. His breakthrough came with the critically acclaimed Noroi, which gained international recognition for its chilling realism and unconventional narrative. In the 2010s, he transitioned into higher-budget commercial horror with titles like Funouhan (2018) and Hell Girl (2019), while still nurturing his passion for offbeat, experimental cinema. Shiraishi remains a prominent figure in Japanese horror, known for pushing genre boundaries with his unique voice and dark imagination.
