Kinbaku Diaries
‘Kinbaku Diaries’ is a series of full-length and uncut videos of Milla Reika, tying in private. Drawing on traditional approaches to teaching kinbaku in Japan, ‘Kinbaku Diaries’ aims to provide a resource for learning through active observation; and offer a deeper insight into non-staged unrehearsedー ‘real-life’ kinbakuー between two people.
Focusing on the whole scene rather than instruction on specific ties and patterns the series offers insight into the subtle interactions and unspoken communication, the way one handles rope or responds to arising situations. Each session is filmed with multiple cameras and edited to offer optimal angles for viewing without cutting any of the scenes; enabling you to observe our full ‘story’ of intimacy, domination, and surrender as it unfolds from beginning to end.
The official release of Kinbaku Diaries is planned for September 2020.*
“To maintain a fully private setting all videos are filmed, edited, and produced by myself, Milla with support from my rope partner Ageha. While a lot (not all) of the content is quite advanced I hope that beginners can still use it as a reference. Rather than trying to take in everything, I hope that you focus on one point in particular. Whether it be hand movements, how I hold the rope, how my partners respond at particular moments, how I utilize my body, or move the body of my partner. These videos are not about memorizing ties but rather how to ‘play’ within kinbaku. They are not rehearsed and I decide as I tie depending on the feeling and my partner at the time. There will be places where I stop to think or change what I was going to do depending on the circumstances. I hope that this will also provide references for one way to deal with differing situations.” -Milla Reika
What inspired the making of the ‘Kinbaku Diaries’?
There were two main thoughts or instigators that propelled me to start these Kinbaku diaries. Teaching and sharing cause one to reflect and question oneself: What inspired me, what steps in my journey brought me to my current thinking, how did I acquire the skills I possess and how do I continue to deepen my understanding and skills. When learning kinbaku I rarely received direct teaching, but rather it was a process of absorbing myself in the community and actively seeking to apply what I observed to my own practice.
More often than not I was never given an answer to my questions, but rather they were met with counter questions. My mentors were quick to tell me where I ‘wrong’ but not what is ’right.’ At many points, I found myself frustrated by this, yet in hindsight I realize that my mentors were challenging me to inquire deeper, to seek the answers through discovery, and to question what and why I came to certain conclusions. It was a test of how willing I was prepared to go, and how open I was to the hints and clues that were hidden in conversations and the kinbaku being played out before my eyes. There were many times when I had been struggling to figure out the best way to secure a knot or prevent the rope from slipping in places. When I finally came to an answer of my own, my mentor simply nodded and said she knew. "Why hadn't she just told me?" But, this part of the learning process. I found myself attending as many performances as possible, hassling the performers afterward with a series of questions, and then running home and trying to practice what I saw on myself.
The second point that instigated this project was a conversation I had with one of my rope partners, Ageha, who is in these videos with me. She mentioned that she had recorded in writing every single rope experience she has had since she entered into this world. She had a diary of who, where, when, and what. I realized that while each and every rope experience remains with me as an impression and emotional memory, I often find myself wondering what rope we did last time. I am often so consumed within the moment that once the session is finished, I don't even remember what tie or suspension pattern I did. It was at this point then that we can up with the idea of creating a video diary of our kinbaku experiences together. It started as something personnel but with time I realized that it is also something that I want to share; that could be a valuable resource for not only people who have come to Japan from afar to take lessons with me but for anyone at any point in their journey.
What the future holds?
The ‘Kinbaku Diaries’ series will be a growing library of content with new videos being added every 1-2 months, alongside bonus content such as after-shoot commentaries, tips and thoughts on the content and kinbaku as a whole. I plan to also create online forums and live-streaming sessions to allow for closer and more personal interaction and discussion.
Kinbaku is a practice and an intimate act that allows one to enter into and explore differing aspects of their self, their sexuality, and their desires through interaction. It is an act that allows one to explore the other on varied and deeper levels of intimacy, knowing, and trust. While an act that most often takes place between two people, I also hope that by sharing and discussing our journeys, experiences, skills, and knowledge that we can build a genuine and close-knit community unbound by geographical location.
Our learning is never-ending, and we are all ‘students’ until the day we die. I value discussion as a means to reflect and re-evaluate one’s own thinking, as well as a way to broaden perspectives and come to new realizations. Therefore, I hope that these platforms will become not only a Q&A section but also a space for interaction, reflection, and inquiry.
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We are currently working on differing set-ups with new lights and post-production software and equipment in the lead up to the official release of this on-going series from September. Any support with production will be greatly appreciated, and your generosity will be returned with personally addressed letters, access to in-the-making content, discounts on subscriptions or single video purchases, and much love.
For updates on releases please join the mailing list at the below link.
Contributions & Support:
https://donorbox.org/in-the-making-kinbaku-diaries-support-campaign
Official Website:
"In-the Making" Videos & Content
"In-the-making" content will include full-length videos and footage from lighting test shoots or shoots that didn't make the 'cut' due to minor technical imperfections (our most recent one was extremely powerful in terms of content and feeling, however, one of the cameras failed partway through the scene). These will be made available for single on-demand purchase (access to all videos). I will also be adding some free-content here on this page shortly.
(Milla, June 11)
Other Details:
*Please note that the release date is an estimation only and may change depending on the progress.
* Videos will be available by monthly subscription, single video purchase, or online rental. A monthly subscription will offer access to a full library of on-demand 'Kinbaku Diaries' videos plus bonus features, private forums, and more.
*Videos typically do not include verbal or step-by-step instructions. You may not be able to see every knot at all times. But remember this is not the point.
*Videos are typically 60-90minutes in length each.
How to View Videos & Disclaimer
Kinbaku Diaries series will be released via Vimeo as a monthly subscription (single or group users), single video purchase, or online rental. You may view the video directly through Vimeo or online TV apps. Links will be added here once the videos/pages are released.
Rent: When you rent a VOD, you will be able to stream all the videos attached or added to it anytime during the specified rental period, including bonus content. If you select the option "Rent-All," you get access to all of the current videos as well as any that are added to the Vimeo on Demand page during the specified rental period.
Buy: When you buy a VOD, you will be able to stream its videos for as long as they remain on Vimeo. You will also be able to download the videos to your computer and devices, DRM-free. If you select the option “Buy All,” you get access to any videos added to the VOD page for as long as it remains online, including bonus features.
Subscribe: When you subscribe to a series, you have unlimited streaming access to all current videos on that series page, as well as any future videos that get added (including bonus content), as long as you maintain an active subscription for a recurring monthly fee.
Disclaimer:
Milla Reika (Senkaku) bears no responsibility for any injury sustained as a result of practicing or copying any content viewed in these videos. (more details on safety coming soon)
Rights of Use:
Thank you for taking the time to view my video and I hope that it will be a useful reference in your journey in kinbaku.
While I hope that these videos can be shared and enjoyed by many, a lot of time and resources have gone into producing these and making them available. If you wish to share, use or screen these all or part of these videos, or associated content, as a part of a workshop, event, please contact me directly to discuss terms and conditions.
All videos purchased under single subscription or single one-time purchases are available for viewing for private single use.
The use of this video, or any part of it, for commercial use, including screening of the video as a part of a workshop, peer rope, or any other gathering of more than 5 persons without explicit permission from Milla Reika is prohibited.
