Osada Eikichi (長田英吉), born in 1925, emerged on the public kinbaku scene in the mid-1960s. He teamed up with Tamai Keiyu (玉井敬友) to organize events and also collaborated as a writer with Ito Seiyu (伊藤晴雨).
He quickly gained a reputation as a pioneer, widely credited with staging the very first public shibari kinbaku performances of that era.
In 1970, he opened the Lotus Salon, which later evolved into the Shibari Studio (unrelated to the website of the same name).
By day, it served as a space where women came to be tied; by night, it transformed into a lively venue for shibari performances.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Osada Eikichi became a fixture in Japan’s SM scene. He performed regularly and devoted much of his time to teaching, particularly mentoring dominatrices.
By the 1990s, his reputation as a master was firmly established, and he was often invited to perform at—and help manage—clubs and events across the country.
Known for his relentless work ethic, Osada Eikichi gave public kinbaku performances an average of 20 nights per month over many years. His energy illuminated the stage, even as his health began to decline.
In April 2000, Osada Steve—then performing under a different name—transformed his photography studio into a venue for his mentor’s shows, giving birth to Studio Six.
That November, Osada Eikichi gave his final performance. Tragically, his health took a sharp turn for the worse that very night. After months of hospitalization and time in care facilities, he passed away on September 12, 2001.
His final days were tinged with sorrow, highlighting both the challenges of pursuing this path in Japan and the stark realities of aging without strong social support.
Despite his European roots, Osada Steve took on the great challenge—and honor—of preserving his mentor’s legacy.
To commemorate Osada Eikichi, he organizes an annual Kinbaku Live Satsueikai on September 12, with limited in-person attendance and unlimited online access.
Timeline
- March 15, 1925: Osada Eikichi (長田英吉) is born.
- 1965 (?): Performs for the first time at the Osada Seminar in Ars Nova, Asagaya.
- 1970 (?): Opens the Lotus salon in Kanda, hosting monthly Osada Seminars on Sunday nights at Ars Nova. The salon closes after about a year.
- 1993 (?): Hospitalized with cerebral thrombosis.
- 1999: Osada Steve begins training in kinbaku under Osada Eikichi.
- September 12, 2001: Osada Eikichi passes away.
- November 23, 2001: The Osada Eikichi Memorial is held at Roppongi Jail, featuring Kazumi Osada, Osada Steve, Mary Aoi, Mai Ito, Denjiro Sakurada, Yoshikazu Hayakawa, Doji Nekura, Hiroo Minowa, Miki Mori, among others.
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