Or everything you always wanted to know about Japanese erotic bondage when you suddenly realized that you didn't speak Japanese
The Beauty of Kinbaku
Kinbaku
and Art
Please note: no part of these articles may be reproduced by any means without the express written consent of the author or the publisher, King Cat Ink.
Chapter Seven
Kinbaku and Art-American Bakushi Part Three –
Working with Michel Comte – The Expression of Ecstasy
(con't.)
by Master "K"
Our second exciting collaboration with Michel Comte occurred on the day after the GQ shoot. Our entire team was startled and very, very flattered to be asked to do another photographic project with this great artist and his lovely and talented wife Ayako Yoshida.
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For this picture Ayako had to literally be pulled across the stage by Crocoduck to get the sense of movement that Michel wanted for his picture. And in order for the necklace to be seen at the right angle it had to be gently glued on not to be lost from view! I should also add that Ayako astonished us all with her strength as this picture took many minutes and "takes" to achieve and she was pulled, uncomplaining, across the stage numerous times. In order to insure the model's safety and a degree of comfort, the two column handcuff style tie used here is the one made famous in my sensei Yukimura Haruki's school of Newaza Kinbaku.
Without question, this was another professional working experience I wouldn't have missed for the world. I say this not only because of the privilege of working with Michel Comte, Ayako and his talented crew of producers, costumers and make-up people (to say nothing of the much appreciated members of our own "rope team") but also because whenever Kinbaku can be used as part of a genuine artistic expression that reaches the mainstream I believe it expands and extends the reach of the art form and I find myself more fully engaged than at almost any other time.
Please join us next time as we continue our exploration into the fascinating subject of “Kinbaku in Art!”
Michel Comte and Ayako Yoshida.
However, we were also a bit daunted. The reason was that the entire team had assumed we'd only be doing a one day shoot and, since all of us had busy and responsible "day jobs," we all had things to do on the day when Michel had invited us to return for shoot number two!
Frankly, I find this one of the most erotic "bondage" pictures I've ever seen in a general audience publication. The Kinbaku is the languid/liquid "V" shaped pattern first taught to me by my sensei, the legendary movie rigger, Urado Hiroshi. His concept of Kinbaku being, at times, a type of sensual costume comes across strongly here.
A rickety table and torn stockings were the artistic elements Michel used for this dynamic photo. The "chain" of rope is taken from the ancient martial art of hojojutsu. In the feudal era of Japan prisoners often had to be linked together or brought to justice individually by constables who literally had to have a hand on the ropes that bound them and a strong pattern that made the rope difficult to break was needed for control.
(Please note: full descriptions of all these ties as well as complete biographies of the Japanese rope masters mentioned in this article can be found in "The Beauty of Kinbaku.")
This is one of my favorite images from the entire layout because of its stillness and drama. The hair tie is one favored by my friend Akira Naka and the rope pattern seen beneath Ayako's gown (again using the beautifully colored lapis lazuli asanawa to compliment the garment's fabric) is the venerable water caltrop design from feudal Japan.
This picture, so evocative of Japan, is another wonderful example of Michel's creativity. A production assistant went out onto the studio grounds and got a few trimmings from a flowering plant. The "rising sun" is a small plastic disc. Michel did this lovely shot in ten minutes between more complicated set-ups. Genius. For those interested, the German quote at the top of the pictures translates (approximately) to: "Actually, a kimono is, in itself, a form of bondage."
What I found most fascinating about BOTH of the layouts for GQ and Interview is how prominently they were positioned in the magazine's tables of contents. Naturally, any photo by Michel Comte draws attention but it wouldn't have been that long ago that a photo layout in a magazine that featured explicit bondage would never have been so readily accepted or featured so conspicuously, except in an adult publication. Times have changed!
For this pose Michel wanted a bold crossing pattern on his model. We obliged by doing a modified tasuki pattern using the beautiful lapis lazuli colored ropes manufactured by Arisue Go.
The magazine's format is 60% features and 40% glossy advertising and has been published by Brant Publications, Inc since shortly after Warhol's death in 1987. There are now various editions and Interview Germany is one of these.
The Beauty of Kinbaku
This page is best viewed on Google Chrome.
Please note: no part of these articles may be reproduced by any means without the express written consent of the author or the publisher, King Cat Ink.
Kinbaku
and Art
Or everything you always wanted to know about Japanese erotic bondage when you suddenly realized that you didn't speak Japanese
The reason was that shoot number 2 was to be for the German edition of Andy Warhol's venerable magazine, Interview.
To put it simply, the Kinbaku in GQ was intended to help highlight the high fashions being advertised for sale. In Interview the intent was to be more purely dramatic and artistic. A completely different creative challenge.
A second and perhaps the most important difference between the two engagements is that, unlike the GQ Italy shoot, which was a fashion layout, this series of Kinbaku pictures was to be in service as illustration to a German language interview with Michel and Ayako about their recently completed film "The Girl From Nagasaki." And this meant the Kinbaku being done should be or, at least, ought to be different from that done for Italian GQ.
In addition, the principal model for the Interview shoot was to be Michel's wife Ayako with whom he made "The Girl from Nagasaki" and, while Ayako is a beautiful and experienced model, her participation in front of the camera made for a slightly different but no less exciting dynamic than last time.
Once again we present all the Kinbaku images from the magazine here with a commentary. Enjoy!
As before, once we all arrived on set Michel began the day slowly but soon moved things into high gear and we rapidly found ourselves flying through set up after set up where rope had to be rushed in, repositioned and creative Kinbaku ideas flowed freely. A very stimulating experience.
In all ways Michel was in charge and his creativity was once again a marvel to behold.
A few months later we were delighted to learn this very satisfying day's work would be featured in the double July/August issue of Interview.
July/August 2015 issue - Interview Magazine (Germany) cover
featuring actress Emma Stone.
July/August 2015 issue - Interview Magazine (Germany) table of contents.
July/August 2015 issue Interview Germany - title centerfold. Languid/liquid "V" shape Kinbaku pattern.
Tasuki pattern.
Table and red stockings. Hojojutsu chain pattern.
Portrait of dynamic movement. Newaza style two column wrist tie.
Rising sun with new blossoms.
Kimono inspired robe, hair tie and water caltrop pattern.
For those interested, issues of Interview Germany are available on some news stands in major American and European cities and, more easily for folks in the US, through purchase on the Internet. One interesting sales "gimmick" that Interview employs is that they offer four different covers for every issue. Just pick your favorite! And here is a composite picture of all four covers, each issue featuring the same layout of remarkable Kinbaku images by Michel Comte.
July/August 2015 issue - Interview Magazine (Germany) - four covers.
Portrait of Michel Comte.
Unfortunately, our good friend PaperBullets could not return but, luckily, myself, Zetsu and Crocoduck could arrange our schedules just enough to overlap the hours Michel needed us.
As before, the shoot was to take place on one of the beautiful Milk Studio stages in Hollywood.
Interior, Stage 4, Milk Studios, Hollywood California.
However, there most of the similarities with the GQ (Italy) shoot ended.
For those that might not be aware of Interview, it was started as a very hip American magazine founded in late 1969 by artist Andy Warhol and British journalist John Wilcock. The magazine, nicknamed "The Crystal Ball of Pop," featured conversations between currant celebrities, actors, artists, musicians, and other creative thinkers.
Portrait of artist and Interview Magazine founder Andy Warhol.
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Links to Other Chapters of Kinbaku and Art
