Bondage in Japanese: an Australian woman conquers the scene of a forbidden show in the Land of the Rising Sun
Shibari is the Japanese art of aesthetic bondage, that is, binding using ropes. VICE magazine photographer Paul Hillier, who has been to Japan more than once, filmed his Australian friend, who became interested in this direction and decided to conquer the stage of the sibari show. Here's what he said about his project.
(14 photos in total)
"I met Milla Reika in Osaka in 2009. She had just arrived in the country and out of the corner of her ear heard me telling friends about a Japanese bondage show to which I was invited. Hearing the word "sybari", this Australian skater almost begged me to take her with me. I did so. Seven years later, when we met for a drink, I was looking at a confident woman with a cigarette in one hand and coffee in the other, telling me who she had become.
Being very excited after that first sibari show, Reika delved into the study of this art with such enthusiasm, which is possible only in youth. She spent hours studying knots, ropes and the history of sibari, and we even tried to photograph this art. But everything really started spinning when she crossed the threshold of the famous BDSM club Club Matrix. After talking to Mama-san about her interests, she immediately received a job offer. Mama-san was too busy to teach Reika herself, so she recommended her to other bondage masters in Osaka. Only a few months later, after the persuasions of her teachers, she began to perform in city institutions.
A year later, Club Matrix closed. Mama-san didn't want to open it again, no matter how much Reika argued with her. Instead, to the girl's surprise, Mama-san handed her the keys and told her to take charge. Reika happily agreed.
Not all ropes are the same. In Japan, jute is the most popular for sibari. Masters of bondage consider the rope to be an extension of themselves and choose it very carefully. Reika bought this rope in large quantities to cut and process it herself.
The party, which was run by men, was roused by the arrival of this young Australian woman, who not only led, but also led her own club. Her presence attracted a lot of interest and orders, but in addition to the ability to navigate the sibari business and knowledge of Japanese business etiquette, Reika had to earn respect in this community.
After cutting and stretching the rope, Reika burns all the protruding ends with an open fire so that the segment is clean and smooth.
Reika quickly attracted the attention of even respected people in Sibari. However, her performing talents did not help the running of the club. Having little experience in this field, without connections and sufficient speaking experience, Reika barely held Club Matrix. In 2015, it closed for the second and last time.
Reika completes the preparation of the rope by rubbing a small amount of horse oil into it to achieve the desired smoothness and texture.
Recently, Reika and I met at a cafe in Ame-mura, the American district of Osaka, after she returned from a six-month trip to Australia to rest and recover. She looked cheerful and ready to return."
The streets in the Shinbaisaki district of Osaka are densely strewn with bars and restaurants. Reika and her model Konoha check the address of the place where they will perform.
The connection between the bottom (the person who is being tied up) and riding (to those who bind) unbreakable. Without this emotional connection, the performance will be cold and mechanical. Sibari is very similar to the dance of the top and bottom.
A combination of pain, pleasure and sensory deprivation.
Milla unties her partner after the performance.
Reika opens a bondage salon twice a week, where people come to socialize, watch performances, learn and practice. Here Reika demonstrates a kind of node on one of her clients.
The part of the carabiner that is often used in suspensions when part of the model or all of it is suspended above the floor.
Reika carefully examines her model and her bondage during a performance at a local club in Umeda, Osaka.
The final part of Reiki's performance this evening is niotaimori (eating sushi from a naked female body). Here she used mini desserts, which she offered to the audience.