Master "K"

Master “K” is one of the most respected and widely known North American educators, authors and authorities on the art and history of shibari/kinbaku (Japanese [...] bondage). He began his studies in Japan in the early 1970s and has spent over thirty years researching and translating original materials concerning this centuries old art form. He is the author of two books on this subject, the most recent being 2008's "The Beauty of Kinbaku". In this work Master "K" presents for the first time in English a serious, scholarly and in depth look into this legendary [...] 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 Utilizing many rare historical documents he convincingly shows how shibari/kinbaku evolved from a mix of various Japanese cultural activities including societal customs, religion, Kabuki theatre,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 C. judicial practices. This book was recently added to the holdings of Fuuzoku Shiryoukan 1(the most famous library devoted to sadomasochism in the world) in Tokyo, Japan because of its "remarkable scholarship, grasp of kinbaku history and beautiful and artistic photographs," according to Head Librarian Rutsu Nakahara. 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 [...] SM play. They aspire to the best traditions of "kinbaku-bi" (the beauty of traditional shibari art). He currently resides in Los Angeles, CA where he teaches and lectures on his specialty.

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 [...] bondage when you suddenly realized you didn't speak Japanese.). King Cat Ink, 2008. ISBN 978-0-615-24876-9.

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. These include:

• RopeMarks (Netherlands): A photo series.
• [...] Japan (Japan): Writings, shibari study work and 3 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.

Additional sources

1. Untying Shibari: The Art of Japanese Rope Bondage by Lesley Bargar. Los Angeles Alternative, March 10-16, 2006 (cover story). 3
2. Graydancer Interviews Master "K". Podcast and Transcript, April 8, 2008. 4
3. Folsom Fringe 2008 5
4. The Beauty of Kinbaku 6
5. CultivateLife.org listing 7
6. My Life as a Very Naughty Boy by Joel Stein. Los Angeles Magazine, October 2008.8
7. Enormous Fleshy Pinatas by Robert Ito. The Believer. Dec 2005/Jan 2006. 9
8. A Brief History of Shibari by Master "K". Secret Magazine, Jurgen Boedt, ed.,issue #20, April 2002.