Namiko Murata, April 1954 Kitan Club
Perhaps I felt a certain joy in having my body seen. Before I became a bound model, Takase Shinobu-san surprised me by saying, “Murata-san, you should try it once. It’s exhausting, and I endured it, but I wonder if you could endure it?” [Takase Shinobu is a model who worked with Minomura Ko in the Beautiful Bindings series.]
But even that same Takase-san, during the roundtable discussion, said something that made it sound like she might actually enjoy being tied up, which left my jaw hanging open. Still, the first time I was tied up, I think I was so obedient and compliant, even to the point of feeling pathetic, and I was amazed at how well I endured the pain. [That roundtable is translated on Bergborg’s website]
That was because I was so startled at first. I was tense with fear, wondering what would happen, and also with a curiosity to experience something frightening. But surprisingly, he was kind and didn’t do anything unreasonable, so I felt relieved. I thought, “Oh, it’s nothing like that. I didn’t need to make such a big deal out of it,” and I felt both relieved and disappointed. Even so, after a while, when I got used to it and started getting lazy, I’d try acting out all sorts of stubbornness.
Then I’d look back on that very first time I was tied up and wonder how I managed to endure it all so well. I’d even admired myself for it. I suppose I was still pure back then. When asked, “Does it hurt?” I couldn’t help but answer “No,” even if it did. These days, if things look like they might get a bit intense, I’m bold enough to start yelling “It hurts! It hurts!” before I’m even tied up. I’ve changed completely.
So, ever since we started doing outdoor shoots in the summer, I often slip out of being the bound model. When they ask me lately, “Why aren’t you doing it?” I just say, “It hurts, and leaves rope marks on my wrists. I’m not in the mood,” completely nonchalantly. And watching the look of trouble on their faces is really amusing.
Truth is, if you warm them with a hot, steamy towel a couple times, they come right off, but sometimes, just to show off, I’ll say “It hurts!” and have the ropes untied right before we start shooting.
