Gags, Porn and More on Akechi Denki

I feel like I'm starting to become an expert on tenugui, i.e., Japanese hand towels. These things are generally in the range of 33cm by 90cm (or thereabouts) and are made of thin cotton and dyed to exhibit various patterns and designs.

I'm not going to go into the history of tenugui or the multitude of uses to which they may be put. Info is readily available online if you're so inclined. They seem to be quite popular with kendo players, though. For folks into SM and Japanese style rope bondage, you can't get more traditional than a tenugui with blue polka dots used as a gag.

These just happen to be my favorite, followed by the ones with red polka dots.

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It's a Dirty Job But Somebody's Gotta Do It

Master K seems to have pulled off another coup.

Have you ever wondered who did the ropework for such Nikkatsu classics as Flower and Snake and Wife to Be Sacrificed? I had always just assumed it was a different guy each time. And since, compared to much of today's work, the technique appeared less sophisticated, I figured they just got whoever was handy at the time to apply the ropes.

Wrong.

A fellow by the name of Urato Hiroshi was the rigger according to Master K. And not just for the two most famous flicks mentioned above.

"The kinbaku devised for over 40 of the most famous Nikkatsu films was the product of one man -- the mysterious and reclusive Urato Hiroshi. It's taken years to find him but thanks to luck and persistence we managed to track him down for 6 hours of interview in order to present his remarkable story for the very first time."

Now, I am a little confused here. I'm not sure if this refers to information already contained in Master K's book, The Beauty of Kinbaku, or if this is something new (Ed. New info here. See comment). In any event, a series of short articles on the subject are appearing at the book's website. At the top you will see a section called Master K Files. Click on that and it will take you to the latest update.

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Banned!

Missed this one.

The photo was taken by Nobuyoshi Araki for an ad to run in some UK mags for an Italian tile company. The ad was banned by the Advertising Standards Authority.

You know, with all this banning going on we must all be a lot better off.

How's that working out for you?

KabukiJoe

She'd Rather Be Naked

That's correct. Sugimoto Aya, star of the two most recent iterations of Hana to Hebi, would rather attend a cocktail party in the buff than wear fur. I must agree with this sentiment even though I do have some issues with the cause she is supporting here.

I had read that Ms. Sugimoto recently donated her time and her luscious body to the animal rights group, PETA, but had never come across the photographic evidence. Well, now I have and here Ms. Sugimoto is in all her naked glory.

To be honest, the photograph is tastefully shot so I guess it doesn't really show all the glory that is Ms. Sugimoto. Close enough, though. No complaints here.

Speaking of Hana to Hebi (Flower and Snake), I just realized that Uzuki Taeko had a non-speaking role in the film. She was one of the three women (along with Ms. Sugimoto) to hang naked from a cross and was in at least one other scene that I recall.

The reason I mention this is because Uzuki was Arisue Go's model in the documentary Bakushi which I reviewed earlier. Small world.

KabukiJoe

Take a Walk on the Wild Side

I hadn't been to Roppongi in ages -- by choice.

I don't care for the place. There are too many unsavory characters and, to be perfectly honest, they mostly have a gaijin face. Westerners fuck the place up for me, whether they be intemperate Marines or annoying Nigerians.

Of course, you're likely to see a lot of Westerners in Roppongi since this is where most of the embassies are situated. It is also a center of adult-oriented nightlife which seems to bring out the worst elements of the foreign community.

But I had to get over there again eventually because I wanted to visit the Dogma office and, as fate would have it, they are located in Roppongi.

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