Master K

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Decorective gate by Master K

Master "K" is a North American educator, author, and authority on the art and history of shibari/kinbaku (Japanese erotic bondage).[1] He began his studies in Japan in the early 1970s and has spent over forty years researching and translating original materials concerning this centuries-old art form[2] and is both a student of Yukimura Haruki (under the name Haru Tora) and the direct and named successor to Urado Hiroshi's school of kinbaku in Japan. He is the author of two books on this subject, the most recent being 2008's "The Beauty of Kinbaku" (Revised & Updated Edition, 2015). In this work Master "K" presents for the first time in English a serious, scholarly, and in-depth look into this legendary erotic art form. Utilizing many rare historical documents, he convincingly shows how shibari/kinbaku evolved from a mix of various Japanese cultural activities including societal customs, religion, Kabuki theatre, Ukiyo-e woodblock prints, Japanese martial arts, and 18th-century judicial practices.[3]

In 2009 this book was added to the holdings of Fuuzoku Shiryoukan [2], Tokyo, Japan (the most famous library devoted to sadomasochism in the world) because of, according to Head Librarian Rutsu Nakahara, its "remarkable scholarship, grasp of kinbaku history and beautiful and artistic photographs."[4] Master "K" and his writings have also been praised by three other legendary Japanese kinbaku authorities. Yukimura Haruki (producer and rope master) called his most recent book, "Wonderful ... a most impressive job of researching and writing...(Master "K") knows the entire history and development of Japanese kinbaku."[5] Yukimura sensei invited Master “K" to write the forward to his own latest book, “Affection of Kinbaku." Arisue Go (noted author and rope master for the mainstream feature film "Flower and Snake" and the 2013 TV series "Tokubou") said, "Master "K" is the most notable and expert overseas kinbaku researcher. He has touched upon the very essence of Japan's culture in his excellent work ..." And the late Nureki Chimuo, generally regarded as the greatest rope master of the modern era, at age 80 said, “I have never before seen a volume that expresses both such love for rope and such an understanding of the fetishism of the female body." [3] Nureki also invited Master “K" to a private photoshoot and Kinbaku demonstration in Tokyo and wrote about their encounter in his well-known Internet blog. [4] [5]

In October 2013 "The Beauty of Kinbaku" was translated into Japanese and published by the academic publisher Suriensha in Tokyo, Japan.[6] This Japanese language edition proved so popular that it went into a second printing in only a few weeks. The original, English language version of "The Beauty of Kinbaku" completely sold out and was republished as a revised and updated softcover in 2015.

Master "K"'s writings and carefully composed and often colorful photographs are full of the mood, mystery, and dramatic emotion to be found in the intense ballet of shibari and erotic SM play.[7] They aspire to the best traditions of "kinbaku-bi" (the beauty of traditional shibari art). His most recent gallery exhibition was in Tokyo at the Shinjuku-za Gallery[8] and consisted of large-format photographs of his ropework. His video work includes rigging for the music video "Come Unwound" by The Bulls.[9] as well as David Solomini's film for the performance artist Millie Brown entitled "Millie Brown's Pendulum".[10] His rope work has also been photographed by the world-renowned artist Michel Comte[11] and celebrity photographer Michael Helms[12] and published in GQ Italy (May 2015)[13] and Interview Magazine (Germany) (July/August 2015). [14] Six images from these shoots also appear in a coffee-table sized archival, career-spanning volume published in 2015 by art book publisher Damiani to accompany two large photo exhibits of Michel Comte's work at Milk Studios in NYC and LA, both entitled "Michel Comte and Milk: A Collaboration".[15] He also designed and executed the rope work in a scene shot for the feature film "The Neon Demon"[16] starring Keanu Reeves and Elle Fanning which is set to be released in the summer of 2016. He currently resides in Los Angeles, CA where he teaches and lectures on his specialty and where he is co-founder of the kinbaku groups Spring Tiger Ryu and LA Rope.[2][17] [18]

Published works

Books:

  • Master "K". Shibari: The Art of Japanese Bondage. Secret Publications, 2004. ISBN 90-807706-2-0.
  • Master "K". The Beauty of Kinbaku (Or everything you always wanted to know about Japanese erotic bondage when you suddenly realized you didn't speak Japanese.). King Cat Ink, 2008. ISBN 978-0-615-24876-9.
  • Master "K". The Beauty of Kinbaku (Suriensha), October 4, 2013. ISBN 978-4-86369-299-2
  • Master "K". The Beauty of Kinbaku (Or everything you always wanted to know about Japanese erotic bondage when you suddenly realized you didn't speak Japanese.) Second Edition, Completely Revised and Updated. King Cat Ink, 2015. ISBN 978-0692344651.

Articles: Since 1999 Master “K"’s work has appeared internationally in various magazines, galleries, and on web pages dedicated to the art of shibari/kinbaku.[7] These include:

  • RopeMarks (Netherlands): A photo series.
  • Fetish Japan (Japan): Writings, shibari study work and three photo series.
  • Kholer Gallery (NY, USA): A 2-week exhibit of his photographs was presented.
  • Kikkou (Japan): A photo gallery of his work and a piece about the legendary 19th/20th-century artist and rope master, Itoh Seiyu
  • Schlagzeilen Magazine (Germany): Photographs
  • Japan Bondage (Germany): 4 Photo galleries.
  • Immortal Shibari (Brazil): A small gallery and an educational tutorial.
  • Secret Magazine #20 (Belgium): A lengthy article on the history of shibari and a photo gallery.
  • GQ Italia Gentlemen's Quarterly: "Legami D'Amore", volume no. 188, May 2015, p. 130-135.
  • Interview Magazine (Germany): "Ayako Yoshida und Michel Comte", July/August 2015, p. 152-163.

References

  1. ↑ Graydancer, Podcast and Transcript
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Bargar, Untying Shibari, p.17
  3. ↑ Bargar, Untying Shibari, p. 20
  4. ↑ [1]"Reviews: SM Librarian"
  5. ↑ Yukimura Haruki Review
  6. ↑ http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E7%B7%8A%E7%B8%9B%E3%81%AE%E6%96%87%E5%8C%96%E5%8F%B2-The-Beauty-Kinbaku-%E3%83%9E%E3%82%B9%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BC%E2%80%9CK/dp/4863692994/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1387357357&sr=8-1&keywords=the+beauty+of+kinbaku
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Sol, Folsom Fringe 2008
  8. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/Gshinjukuza/posts/532305513519743
  9. ↑ http://www.laweekly.com/music/the-bulls-get-into-bondage-in-new-come-unwound-video-premiere-5213371
  10. ↑ https://www.nowness.com/story/millie-brown-pendulum
  11. ↑ http://www.kinbakutoday.com/the-bonds-of-love-shooting-with-michel-comte/
  12. ↑ http://www.kinbakutoday.com/master-k-photoshoot-with-michael-helms/
  13. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/meireundmeire/photos/a.1033619166670713.1073741879.163458823686756/1033619210004042/
  14. ↑ http://lesbeehive.com/2015/08/28/adele-exarchopoulos-by-driu-tiago-for-interview-germany-september-2015/
  15. ↑ http://www.amazon.com/Michel-Comte-Milk-Collaboration-1996-2016/dp/8862084463
  16. ↑ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1974419/?ref_=nv_sr_1
  17. ↑ Boedt, Secret Magazine, p. 32
  18. ↑ http://www.kinkweekly.com/interview/interview-master-k/

Additional sources

  1. Master "K" Meets Aki-Sama. Mania Club, volume 40, January 2014, p. 166-174.
  2. Untying Shibari: The Art of Japanese Rope Bondage by Lesley Bargar. Los Angeles Alternative, March 10–16, 2006 (cover story). [6]
  3. Graydancer Interviews Master "K". Podcast and Transcript, April 8, 2008. [7]
  4. Folsom Fringe 2008 [8]
  5. The Beauty of Kinbaku [9]
  6. CultivateLife.org listing [10]
  7. My Life as a Very Naughty Boy by Joel Stein. Los Angeles Magazine, October 2008.[11]
  8. Enormous Fleshy Pinatas by Robert Ito. The Believer. Dec 2005/Jan 2006. [12]
  9. A Brief History of Shibari by Master "K". Secret Magazine, Jurgen Boedt, ed.,issue #20, April 2002.
  10. The Bulls Get Into Bondage in New "Come Unwound" Video (Premiere) by Andy Hermann. LA Weekly, November 17, 2014.

External links

  • Master "K" Files Weekly articles (and archive) on the history, famous personalities & development of kinbaku/shibari. Video, gallery, slideshow.
  • Master K Classes Classes in Los Angeles focused on kinbaku education and mainstream media outreach.
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