Difference between revisions of "Seiu Ito"

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[[image: Seiu.jpg|150px|thumbnail|Seiu Ito]]
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'''Ito''' (伊藤) family name, '''Seiu''' (晴雨) first name, ([[Chronology of Bakushi|1882-1961]])
'''Ito''' (伊藤) family name, '''Seiu''' (晴雨) first name, (male, [[Chronology of Bakushi|1882-1961]])
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<div style="text-align: justify;”>
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[[Seiu Ito]] was a pioneer on the subject of torment, and his pre-war illustrations and photographs had a major influence on the nascent SM world in Japan during mid 20th century. His influence continues to the present day.</div>
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|[[image: ItoSeiu.jpg|200px|thumb|Seiu Ito]]
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|<div align="center";>__TOC__</div>
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==Activities==
 
==Activities==
[[Kinbakushi]]
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Painter, Writer, Kinbakushi
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==Alternate Names==
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[https://smpedia.com/index.php?title=伊藤晴雨  伊藤晴雨](Japanese), Hajime Ito (伊藤一, real name)
  
 
== Summary ==
 
== Summary ==
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Born in 1882, '''Ito''' was strongly attracted to scenes of torture in stories and theater plays from an early age, and he produced a large body of paintings, drawings and photographs depicting scenes of torture and kinbaku, often using his wife or mistress as his model.
  
Seiu Ito was an important and highly influential figure in the SM world in Japan during the Showa era (1925-1989). Born in 1882, he was strongly attracted from an early age to scenes of torture in stories and theater plays and he produced a large body of art (paintings and drawings) as well as photographs depicting scenes of torture and kinbaku, often using his wife or his mistress as his model.
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By the 1910s, '''Ito''' was a newspaper illustrator and then a theater critic. He later became the head of the Performing Arts section as well as the main illustrator for the <i>Yomiuri News</i>. At the beginning of the Taisho period (1912-1926), he met [[Kaneyo Sasaki]] (Oyou) and [[Kise Sahara]], two women who would eventually become his models. He deepened his study of torture art and photography, and in the closing years of Taisho, he rode the wave of the <i>eroguro</i> movement and attracted attention as a “painter of perversion”. In 1928, he published his first kinbaku-related book (<i>Seme no Kenkyu – Torment Research</i>), which was soon after banned by the authorities.
 
 
He started as an illustrator working for newspapers at the end of the Meiji era but later became a theater critic. He then became the head of the Performing Arts section as well as the main illustrator for the <i>Yomiuri</i> newspaper. At the beginning of the Taisho period (1912), he met Sasaki Kaneko (Oha) and Sahara Kise, two women who had an appreciation of kinbaku, and he deepened his study of torture art and photography. In the closing years of the Taisho era (around 1926), he rode the wave of the <i>eroguro</i> movement and attracted attention as a “painter of perversion”. In 1928, he published the first photo book of kinbaku (<i>Seme no Kenkyu – Research on Torture</i>), which was soon after banned by the authorities.
 
 
   
 
   
Before World War II, through editor Suikodo Shoten, he published a large number of collections of graphic works. But this period, with Ito at the height of his career, was interrupted by the war. With the cessation of hostilities, he became active as a writer in the <i>castori</i> magazines such as <i>Ningen Tankyu</i>, <i>Kitan Club</i> and <i>Fuzoku Zoshi</i>. In addition, he organized frequent photo sessions and the resulting photos can be seen as “photos in the Seiyu way” in magazines such as <i>Fuzoku Zoshi</i>, <i>Fuzoku Kitan</i> and <i>Uramado</i>. During the Taisho period (1912-1926) he established theater groups whose plays centered on torture scenes and, in 1953, he started the <i>Seme no Gekidan</i> (Torture Theater Group) which performed at Ichikawa Suzumoto theater in Tokyo and others.
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During the Taisho period, he established theater groups whose plays centered on torture scenes. Before World War II, he published a large number of collections of graphic works through editor Suikodo Shoten. Ito was at the height of his career, but this was interrupted by the war. After the war, he worked as a writer in magazines such as [[Ningen Tankyu]], [[Kitan Club]] and [[Fuzoku Soshi]]. In addition, he organized frequent photo sessions, and the resulting photos can be seen as “photos in the Seiyu way” in magazines such as [[Fuzoku Soshi]], [[Fuzoku Kitan]] and [[Uramado]]. In 1953, he started the Seme no Gekidan (Torture Theater Group) which performed at Ichikawa Suzumoto theater in Tokyo and others.
 
   
 
   
He was also an historian and his lifelong research culminated in the book <i>Iroha Hiki -- Edo to Tokyo Fuzoku Noshi</i> which details the tools and crafts of old Tokyo.
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He was also an historian and his lifelong research culminated in the book <i>Iroha Biki -- Edo to Tokyo Fuzoku Yashi</i> which details the tools and crafts of old Tokyo.
 +
 
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==Biography==
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1882: Born March 3rd in Tokyo, Asakusa district, Kinryusan Kudarikawara 5, the eldest son of  Kintaro Ito, a metal engraver.
  
==Alternate Name(s)==
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1890: Accepted as an apprentice by Teiu Nozawa, a member of the Edo-based ''Korin'' school of drawing; at about nine years of age, discovers his obsession with the perfume of women’s hair as well as punishment scenes in theater plays.
[http://smpedia.com/index.php?title=伊藤晴雨  伊藤晴雨](Japanese), Hajime Ito (伊藤一, real name)
 
  
==Biography==
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1891: Receives a copy of the story of ''Princess Chujo'' from his mother. the snow torture scene in the story leaves a strong impression.
Born March 3rd 1882, in Tokyo, Asakusa district, Kinryusan Kudarikawara 5 as the eldest son of Ito Kintaro a metal engraver.
 
  
1890: is accepted as an apprentice by Nozawa Teiu, a member of the Edo based Korinha school of drawing. When roughly 9 years old discovers his obsession with the perfume of women’ hair and punishment scenes in theater plays.
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1892: Goes with his parents to the theater Honjo Kotobukiza and watches a performance of Otono Yoshida’s <i>Maneku Furisode</i> (''An Inviting Kimono Sleeve''); the scene of torture leaves a profound mark.
  
1891 Receives from his mother a copy of the story of Chujou Hime (Princess Chujou). The scene of torture in the snow leaves a strong impression
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1894: Becomes the apprentice of ivory carver Seisyu Naito in the district of Honjo Aioi-cho, Tokyo.
  
1892 Goes with his parents to the theater Honsho Kotobukiza and watches a performance of Yoshida Otono’s “Maneku Furusode” (an inviting kimono sleeve); the scene of torture leaves a profound mark on his mind.
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1895: Starts to collect pictures related to torture.
  
1894 Starts as apprentice with the elephant tusk ivory carver Naito Yasukazu in the district of Honzo Ku Aioi Machi, Tokyo.
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1896: Starts to draw advertisements for theater plays.
  
1895 Starts to collect pictures related to torture.
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1896: In June, '''Ito''' goes to the Haruki Theater in the district of Hongo, Tokyo to watch <i>Nisshin Senso Youchi no Ada Tan</i> (''Raid Nocturne During the Nishiin War''), a play in the Soshi Shibai (Outlaw Theater) where a scene of a nurse being tortured leaves a deep impression.
  
1896 Starts to draw advertisement for theater plays.
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1898: While still an apprentice ivory carver, uses his free time to draw ropes of illustrations of women published in the <i>Tokyo Asahi</i> newspaper.
  
1896 June Goes to the Aoki theater in the district of Hoingo, Tokyo to watch “Nisshin Senso Youchi no Kyutan” (raid nocturne during the Nishiin war) a play in the Zoushishibai ( Outlaw Theater) where a scene of torture of a nurse leaves a deep impression.
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1899: '''Ito''' is strongly impressed by the torture chamber in Yoshimi Mizuno's play "Akumabarai" (''Sweep Away the Demons'') performed at the Tokiwa Theater in Asakusa.
  
1898 While still an apprentice with the ivory carver, uses its moments of leisure to draw ropes of illustrations of women published in the Tokyo Asahi newspaper.
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1905: With the intention of becoming a painter, terminates his apprenticeship with the ivory carver and moves to Kyoto; tries different occupations in succession but eventually returns to Tokyo.
  
1899 In the Tokiwaza Theater in Asakusa, is strongly impressed by the torture chamber in the play Akumabarai (sweep away the demons) of Misuno Koubi.
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1907: Joins the Mai-Chou Shinbun as an artist/journalist for the newspaper published in the Nihonbashi, Tokyo district. He is put in charge of illustrating ''Ghost Island''<ref>"Yomashima."</ref> by writer Syuhei Arigawa.
  
1905 with the intention of becoming a painter, terminates his apprenticeship with the ivory carver and moves to Kyoto. Tries different occupation in succession but finally returns to Tokyo.
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1909: Joins the Yamato Shinbun Sha<ref>A newspaper located in Kyobashi, Tokyo.</ref> and is put in charge of illustrations. Meanwhile, he continues to be the theater critic for the Maiseki Shinbun.
  
1907 Joins the Maiseki Shinbun published in the Nihonbashi, Tokyo district as drawing journalist. He is put in charge of illustrating “Yomashima”  the Ghost Island by writer Arigawa Akikusa
 
  
1909 Joins the Yamato Shinbun Sha located in Kyobashi, Tokyo in charge of illustrations, while still remaining in charge of the theater critic at the Maiseki Shinbun, he then joined the Yomiuri Shinbum where he was promoted to head of illustrations.
 
  
1909 Through an arranged introduction he married Takeo, the younger sister of the wife of Tamaki Terunobu (1879-1953) a scenery painter of the Shinpa (new school) movement. Around that time, having stabilized his source of income and although he received numerous commissions for illustration, most of his revenue was spent in entertainment.
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Through an arranged introduction, he marries Takeo, the younger sister of the wife of Terunobu Tamaki<ref>Terunobu Tamaki (1879-1953), a scenery painter of the ''Shinpa'' (new school) movement</ref>. Around this time, he gains a steady income from numerous commissions for illustrations and spends most of his money on entertainment.
  
1916 Starts a relationship with his model Sasaki Kaneyo (“Oha”) and starts drawing his first torture illustrations.
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1916: Starts a relationship with his model [[Kaneyo Sasaki]] (Oyou) and starts drawing his first torture illustrations.
  
1918 Sasaki Kaneyo starts living with Takehisa Yumeji (1884-1934) painter and poet.
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1918: [[Kaneyo Sasaki]] (Oyou) starts living with the painter and poet, Yumeji Takehisa (1884-1934).
  
1919 Starts the “Kaidan Kai” Ghost Stories Society in the park Hyakkaen in Mukojima, Tokyo with Hirayama Rokko (1881-1953) writer, Miyake Kogen (1886-1951) writer, (Izumi Kyoka (1873-1939) writer, Kubota Mantaro (1889-1963) writer, Kinjo Saitenzan (the 3rd)(1863-1935) kaidanka, Ii Yoho (1871-1932) Hanayagi Shotaro (1894-1965) actor and gives a single representation
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1919: Starts the Ghost Stories Society<ref>"Kaidan Kai"</ref> in Hyakkaen park in Mukojima, Tokyo along with the writers Rokko Hirayama (1881-1953), Kogen Miyake (1886-1951), Kyoka Izumi (1873-1939), Mantaro Kubota (1889-1963), and actors Saitenzan III Kinjo (1863-1935), Yoho Ii (1871-1932), and Shotaro Hanayagi (1894-1965).
  
1919 Divorce from Takeo and marries as his second wife Sahara Kisei
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1919: Divorces Takeo and marries [[Kise Sahara]].
  
1919 With his second wife takes in his garden photos of snow torture. The photographer is YuuKa.
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1919: Takes snow torture photos of [[Kise Sahara]] in his garden. The photographer is YuuKa.
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[[image:ringetsu.jpg|200px|thumbnail|1919 upside-down suspension photo of a pregnant Kise Sahara.]]
  
1920 In autumn makes his fist attempt at suspension with his wife Kisei. Also suspends his wife’s younger daughter in his workshop and takes some photos.
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1920: Makes his fist attempt at suspending [[Kise Sahara]]. He also suspends his wife’s younger daughter in his workshop and takes photos of them.
 
   
 
   
1921 (June) With his pregnant wife Kisei makes the “Rinketsu Bijin Sakasa Tsuri no Shashin” i.e the “Photo in inverted suspension of a beautiful woman in her last month of pregnancy”
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1921: With [[Kise Sahara]] now pregnant, he creates ''Photo in Inverted Suspension of a Beautiful Woman in Her Last Month of Pregnancy''.
 +
 
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1921: Senzaburo Suzuki (1893-1924), a theater writer, publishes ''Burning Her Alive'', a play inspired by '''Seiu Ito''' and his studio at that time.
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1923: Borrowing a farmer's house in Shimotakaido from his student Gajou Sakamoto, he takes photos of snow torture with the photographer Raisui Suzuki. The location was noted for the plum tree in the garden.
  
1921 Suzuki Senzaburo (1893-1924) theater writer publishes “Hi Aburi” “Burnt by Fire” a play based on the life of Ito Seiu.
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1923: Great Kanto Earthquake occurs. Ito's residence escapes fire damage. At this time he had lent the ''Photo in Inverted Suspension of a Beautiful Woman in Her Last Month of Pregnancy'' to his friend, Tomitsuka Kenzo, which is eventually published in the December 1936 issue of "Hentai Shiryou" magazine ("Pervert Documents" magazine).
  
1923 Borrowing a farmers house in Shimotakaido from his deshi Sakamoto Gajou takes with photographer Suzuki Kaminarisui photos of snow torture. The house was noted for his plum tree in the garden, a feature Seiu appreciated.
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1923: Publishes ''An Alphabetized Unofficial History of Edo and Tokyo Customs''.
  
1923 Big Kanto Earthquake. The Itou residence avoids fire damage.At this time he had lent the “Rinketsu Bijin Sakasa Tsuri no Shashin” to his friend Tomitsuka Kenzo. It will eventually be published in the December 1936 issue of Hentai Shiryou. The same year publishes “Iroha Hiki – Edo to Tokyo Fuzoku Noshi”  “Private History of Edo and Tokyo Customs, taken from the Iroha “
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1924: Publishes torture photos of [[Kise Sahara]] in Sunday Mainichi. He acquires a reputation for perversion.
  
1924 Publishes in the Sunday mainichi photos of torture of Kisei. Acquires a reputation for perversion.
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1925: Starts a theater group which concentrates on torture scenes.
  
1925 (summer) starts a theater group concentrating on torture scenes.
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1926: The December issue of Hentai Shiriou magazine publishes ''Photo in Inverted Suspension of a Beautiful Woman in Her Last Month of Pregnancy'' without Ito's permission.
  
1926 (December) Publication of Rinketsu Bijin Sakasa Tsuri no Shashin in the magazine Hentai Shiriou (Pervert Documents) without his authorization. Accompanied by “Rinketsu no josei no tsukasazuri” inverse suspension of a woman in her last month of pregnancy “ by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892) Ukiyoe artitst.
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1927: The first volume of "An Aphabetized Unofficial History of the Customs of Edo and Tokyo" is published by Hirobunkan.
  
1927 publication of the first volume of “Iroha Hiki, Edo to Tokyo Fuzoku Noshi” by the publisher Hirobunkan.
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1928: Publishes "[[Torment Research]]," which is quickly banned by the authorities.
  
1928 publishes the first ever photo book of Kinbaku “Seme no Kenkyuu” Research on torture” immediately forbidden.
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1930: Works as contributor and editor for the Kodanzasshi magazine.
  
1930 works as contributors and editors for the Kodanzasshi.
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1931: Marries for a third time. Ito's wife suffers from mental illness and he goes into debt.
  
1931 His third wife is fighting a psychological illnees and he is forced to go inot debt
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1932: Publishes ''Ecstatic Dance of Beautiful Women''.
  
1932 Publishes “Bijin Ranpu” (the ecstatic dance of the beautiful women)
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1932: Publishes volume six of "An Aphabetized Unofficial History of the Customs of Edo and Tokyo".
  
1932 Publishes the 6th volume of his “ Iroha Hiki – Edo to Tokyo Fuzoku Noshi “
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1933: Starts his second theater group.
  
1933 Starts his second theater group
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1945: His home is destroyed during the Great Tokyo Air Raid.
  
1945 Loses his entire house during the Great Tokyo Air Raid
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1947: "The Japanese Wife Who Wanted to Be Oppressed" is published in the fourth issue of the Rioki magazine.
  
1947 In the fourth issue of the magazine Rioki publishes “Shitagerataru Nijon Fujin” “The Japanese married woman who wanted to be oppressed”
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1950: Torture theater is presented at the Hyakumandoru Gekijo (Million Dollar Theater) in Asakusa, Tokyo.
  
1950 In Asakusa (Tokyo) Hyakumandoru Gekijo (million dollars theater) gives representations of torture theater
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1951: Apr. Exchanges letters with [[Toshiyuki Suma]] until at least January 1954.
  
1951(April) Until at least January 1954 exchange letters with Suma Toshiyuki (aka Kita Reiko)
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1951: Publishes a series of essays in Ningen Tankyuu magazine.
  
1951 Publishes a series of essays in the magazine Ningen Tankyuu
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1951: To celebrate the launch of [[Amatoria]] magazine, '''Ito''' takes part in a group trip (80 persons) to the Rendaiji Onsen resort in Izu. Among the participants were: Nakada Masahisa (1922-), editor of noir literature; Miyake Ichirou, expert on Japanese politics; Kawakami Santaro (1891-1968), writer of comic haikus; Okada Hiroshi; Ikeda Bunchian (1902-1972), one of the first specialists in popular culture in Japan; Hayashiya Shouraku VI (1896-1966), rakugoka; Kitasato Toshio (1913-1980); Nanbu Kyoichiro (1904-1975), movie critic; Takeno Tosuke (1889-1966), writer; Ono Joutoku.
  
1951 To celebrate the launch of the magazine Amatoria takes part in a group travel (80 person) to the onsen resort of Rendaiji Onsen in Izu. Among the participants Nakada Masahisa (1922-) editor of noir literature, Miyake Ichirou expert on Japanese politics, Kawakami Santaro (1891-1968) writer of comic haikus, Okada Hiroshi, Ikeda Bunchian (1902-1972) one of the first specialist of popular culture in Japan, Hayashiya Shouraku (the 6th) (1896-1966) rakugoka, Kitasato Toshio (1913-1980), Nanbu Kyoichiro (1904-1975) Movie critic, Takeno Tosuke (1889-1966) writer、Ono Joutoku.
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[[Image:Ito Seiu Mesoku Uramono Jo Amatoria Dec 1951.jpg|200px|thumbnail|"Mesoku Uramono Jo." Amatoria magazine, 1951]]
  
1951 “Mezoku Uramono Jo” (Book on secret things in women jail) edited by Ito Seiu and intended as a supplement to be published inside Amatoria becomes a problem and is finally detached from the magazine.
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1951: "Book on Secret Things in a Women's Jail" is edited by Seiu Ito and is intended as a supplement to be published inside [[Amatoria]]. However, it becomes a problem and is detached from the magazine.
  
1953 Edits a photo supplement to the January issue of the magazine Yomikiri Romance titled Etsugyaku Koukotsu To (graphic depiction of ecstasy in pleasure and pain) with mainly kinbaku photos. It is the second such supplement by the magazine, the first one being published in August 1952, titled "Nudo Fuzoku Arubamu " (various nude album) and edited by Ueda Seijiro who is generally considered as having been strongly influenced by Seiu. These 2 supplements represent the first 2 publications entirely devoted to kinbaku in the period following the second world war. The photos included in "Nudo Fuzoku Arubamu"are seen as pre-dating the first SM works published in Kitan Club.
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1953: Edits a photo supplement of mainly kinbaku photos to the January issue of [[Yomikiri Romance]] magazine titled "Graphic Depiction of Ecstasy in Pleasure and Pain." It is the second such supplement by the magazine<ref>The first one being published in August 1952, titled "Nude Customs Album." These two supplements represent the first two publications entirely devoted to kinbaku in the period following the Second World War.[Citation needed]</ref>. Ueda Seijiro, the editor of [[Yomikiri Romance]], is generally considered to have been strongly influenced by Ito. The photos in "Nude Customs Album" are seen as pre-dating the first SM works published in [[Kitan Club]].
  
1953 In the January issue of Kitan Club publishes a short piece describing his thoughts about Kita Reiko
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1953: '''Ito''' publishes a short piece describing his thoughts on [[Reiko Kita]] in the January issue of [[Kitan Club]].
  
1953 Starts his fourth “Seme No Gekidan” Torture Theater Group with its activity centered around the Nakamura Za (theatre Nakamura).
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1953: Starts his fourth Torture Theater Group with its activity centered around the Nakamura-Za Theatre.
 
   
 
   
1953 (June 4th) the group gives its first representation in the theater Ishikawa Suzumoto
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1953: Torture Theater Group gives its first presentation at the Ishikawa Suzumoto theater on June 4th.
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1953: Second group of representations at the theater Nakamura-Za in July.
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 +
1954: Meets [[Toshiyuki Suma]] for the first time in person.
  
1953 (July) second group of representations at the theater Nakamura Za
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1954: On January 29th, NHK Channel One broadcasts a radio interview about [[Torment Research]].
  
1954 Meets for the first time in person with Suma Toshiyuki
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1955: Photographer Hiroshi Kawaguchi pays a visit to '''Ito''', which begins their friendship.
  
1954 (28 January) The NHK makes an interview about “Seme no Kenkyuu" (research on torture) which is broadcasted on radio on the 29 January on the NHK first channel.
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1956: Forms a friendship with kinbakushi [[Takashi Tsujimura]].
  
1955 Photographer Kawaguchi Hiroshi pays a visit to Itou Seiu which is the start of amicable relationship.
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1960: Receives a prize from the Federation of Fine Art Publishers.
  
1956 Enters in relation with Tsujimura Takashi
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1961: '''Seiu Ito''' passes away. Tetsuo Takahashi, [[Toshiyuki Suma]], Ueda Seijiro and Masahisa Tanaka attend the funeral.
  
1960 Receives as illustrator a price from the Federation of Fine Art Publishers.
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1966: [[Oniroku Dan]]'s novel "Ryoki no Hate" ("At the Extreme of Hunting for the Bizarre<") is based on '''Ito'''.
  
1961 Passes away. At his funeral Takahashi Tetsuo, Suma Toshiyuki, Ueda Seijiro, Tanaka Masahisa are present
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1968: [[Oniroku Dan]] publishes "Personal Writing on the Story of Seiu Ito" in the December issue of [[Kitan Club]].
  
1966 Dan Oniroku novel “Ryoki no Hate” (At the extreme of hunting for the bizarre) takes Itou Seiu as model.
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1969: The Toei film company holds a few discussions with [[Oniroku Dan]] to make a movie on the life of Seiu Ito. An agreement is not reached.
  
1968 In the December issue of Kitan Club, Dan Oniroku publishes “Shihon Itou Seiu Monogatri” (Personal writing on the story of Itou Seiu).
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1977: [[Nikkatsu]] Film company produces the movie "From the Forbidden Book -- Ecstatic Dance of the Beautiful Women -- Torture!".
  
1969: Some discussions are held with the Toei film Company by Dan Oniroku to make a movie on the life of Ito Seiu. An agreement is not reached.
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1978: [[Keiyu Tamai]] puts on the play "Bizarre Stories of Seiu Ito" at the Jiyu Gekijo (Free Theater).
  
1977 Movie company Nikkatsu produces the movie “Hakkinhon Bijinranpu Yori Semeru” (from the forbidden book “ecstatic dance of the beautiful women” Torture!)
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1996: [[Oniroku Dan]] publishes a chronicle of Seiu Ito titled "The Heretical Crowd".
  
1978 In the theater Jiyu Gekijo (Free theater), Tamai Keiyu puts out the play “Kiden Itou Seiu” (Bizarre stories Itou Seiu)
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2002: "The Heretical Crowd" is made into a movie under the title "Oyou".
  
1996 Dan Oniroku publishes a chronic of Itou Seiu “Sotomichi no Mure” (the heretical crowd)
 
  
2002 "Sotomichi no Mure"is adapted to the movies under the title “Oyou”
 
  
 
==Selected Works==
 
==Selected Works==
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<div style="font-size:125%";>'''Books'''</div>
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* ''An Aphabetized Unofficial History of the Customs of Edo and Tokyo'' (1922-1932)
 +
 +
* ''Unofficial History of the Customs of Edo and Tokyo'' (Arimitsu Shobo, 1997)
  
- Irohahiki Edo to Tokyo Fuzoku Noshi 6vols 1922-1932
+
* ''[[Torment Research]]'' (1928)
 
   
 
   
- Seme No Kenkyu (Research on Torture) 1928
+
* ''Accounts of Torture'' (1929)
 
   
 
   
- Seme no Hanashi (Histories of Torture) 1929-9
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* ''Explanation of Text'' (1930)
 
   
 
   
- Rongo Tsukai (Explanation of Text)) 1930
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* ''Perverse Images of Punishment in Japan'' (1930)
 
   
 
   
- Onna Sanjuroku Kioku  (36 remembrances of women)1930
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* ''Human Flesh Market'' (1947)
 
   
 
   
- Bijin Ranmai (Ecstatitc Dance of Beautiful Women)1932
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* ''Illustrated History of Punishment in Japan, (two volumes)''. in collaboration with Fujisawa Ehiko, 1948
 
   
 
   
- Nihon Hentai Keibatsu Gabu (Perverse images of punishment in Japan) 1930
+
* ''Illustrated History of Punishment Customs in Japan'' 3 vols (1948)
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 +
* ''Illustrated History of Punishment Customs in Japan'' 3 vols (2010)
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 +
* ''[[Torment Research]]'' (1950). Reprint of the 1928 book.
 
   
 
   
- Hitoniku Shijo (Human flesh market) 1947
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* ''A Pictorial Record of Strange Punishments for Events of the Twelve Months'' (1950)
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 +
* ''Seme No Korekushon''
 
   
 
   
- Nihon Taibatsu Fuzoku Toshi (上、下) (Graphic History of Punishment in Japan (in 2 volumes) in collaboration with Fujisawa Ehiko) 1948
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* ''Seiu Ito Photo Book - Seme-e Women'' (1996)
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- Seme no Kenkyu 1950 ( a reprint of the 1928 book)
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* ''Seiu Ito - Seiu's Secret Notebooks'' (2002)
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- Seizetsu Jotai Komon Shikei Higashu” (Image Collection of Extreme Torture and Private Punishment of Women Bodies)
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<div style="font-size:125%";>'''Image Collections'''</div>
- Seme No Korekushon
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* ''Ecstatic Dance of Beautiful Women'' (1932). Book of Illustrations
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- Bijin Juniji Sene Emaki (Scroll of Twelve Beauties in Torture)  
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* ''36 Remembrances of Women'' (1930)
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 +
* ''Torment Picture Scroll of Twelve Beautiful Women in Torment'' (1952)
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 +
* ''Seiu Ito Picture Collection'' (1997)
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 +
* ''Image Collection of Extreme Torture and Private Punishment of Women's Bodies''
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 +
* ''The Yasuda Collection Vol. 5 - A Reproduction of “Woman From Hell” and “Rongo Tsukai”''. Private printing. 2010.<ref>This is the 5th volume of a series of nine books dedicated to the erotic book collection amassed by Yoshida Ashiaki (1918-2008), one of the foremost experts on Japanese erotica in the 20th century (only the 5th volume contains works by Seiu Ito).</ref>
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<div style="font-size:125%";>'''Magazines'''</div>
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* ''Drawing Women in Torment'' (Kitan Club, Jan 1953)
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* ''Fifteen Ways to Tie a Woman'' (Fuzoku Soshi, Sep 1953)
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 +
* ''Posed Defilements'' (Fuzoku Soshi, Dec 1953)
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==Image Gallery==
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<gallery>
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image:ItoSeiu03.jpg||Fuzoku Soshi 1953.
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image:ItoSeiu02.jpg||"Taking a Raw Liver".
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image:ItoSeiu04.jpg||"Burned Alive".
 +
image:ItoSeiu05.jpg||From "Ecstatic Dance of Beautiful Women" 1932.
 +
</gallery>
  
==Bibliography==
 
 
There is a full bibliography in Japanese in the related article on Ito Seiu in SMpedia. We have listed here books on Ito Seiu, which are likely to be of value for the reader who does not read Japanese text.
 
  
伊藤晴雨集 (Ito Seiu Collected Images) March 1997 ISBN: 978-4107200433
 
 
伊藤晴雨・晴雨秘帖 The Secret Noteboks of Seiu ed: 二見書房 May 2002 ISBN: 978-4576020891
 
 
江戸と東京風俗野史 (Private History of Manners in Edo and Tokyo) A re-edition of Seiu’s work on Tokyo craftsmen and daily life, not SM related  ed: 有光書房 1997 ASIN: B000JA9AFW
 
 
日本刑罰風俗図史 (上、中、下) Graphic History of Customs relative to Punishment in Japan in 3 volumes ed: 粋古堂1948 ASIN: B000JB9BSC
 
The same book in modern re-edition in one volume ed: 国書刊行会 April 2010 ISBN: 978-4336052179
 
 
安田コレクション5 地獄の女 論語通解 The Yasuda Collection Vol 5 A reproduction of “Woman From Hell” and “Rongo tsukai” The 5th tome of a series of 9 books dedicated to the collection of erotic books amassed by Yoshida Ashiaki (1918-2008) one of the foremost expert on Japanese erotica in the 20th century (only the 5th volume contains works by Itou Seiu). Private printing, no ISBN.
 
  
 
==Related Persons==
 
==Related Persons==
 
+
Joujirou Sawada (1892-1929): Actor and theater administrator, founder of the Shinkokugeki theater group.
Sawada Joujirou (1892-1929) Actor and theater administrator, founder of the Shinkokugeki a theater group
+
 
 +
Goro Zoganoya (1877-1948): Actor and dramaturge.
 +
 
 +
Uzaemon XV Ichimura (1874-1945): A kabuki actors in the Taisho and early Showa periods.
 +
 
 +
Keigo VI Onoe (1870-1934): Famous kabuki onnagata actor.
 +
 
 +
Ryutarou Natsumi (1905-1989): Actor who belonged to the Shinkokugeki movement.
 +
 
 +
Rokurou Kitamura (1871-1961): Kabuki onnagata actor and member of the Shinpageki, a theater genre established in 1888.
 +
 
 +
Yaeko Mizutani (1905-1979): Actress and representative of the Shinpageki, which she headed after the death Hanayagi Shotaro in 1965.
 +
 
 +
Shin Hasegawa (1884-1963): Novelist and theater writer.
 +
 
 +
Ranpo Edogawa (1894-1965): First and foremost Japanese crime novelist.
 +
 
 +
Sentaro Iwata(1901-1974): Painter, illustrator, and adviser for period movies.
 
    
 
    
Zoganoya Goro (1877-1948) Actor and dramaturge.
+
Ryusaburo Shikiba(1898-1965): Psychiatrist, art critic and close friend of Yukio Mishima.
 
   
 
   
Ichimura Uzaemon (the 15th) 1874-1945 One of the representative Kabuki actor of the Taisho and early Showa period.
+
Shigeo Miyao (1902-1982): Illustrator and specialist in Edo culture.
 
   
 
   
Onoe Keigo (1870-1934) (the 6th) Famous Kabuki Onnagata actor.
+
[[Toshiyuki Suma]] (1920-1992): SM illustrator.
+
 
Natsumi Ryutarou (1905-1989) Actor, belonged to the Shinkokugeki movement.
+
Imasuke V Konkontei (1998-1976): Rakugoka.
+
 
Kitamura Rokurou (1871-1961) Kabuki onnagata actor and member of the Shinpageki, a theater genre established in 1888.
+
 
+
 
Mizutani Yaeko (1905-1979) Actress, representative of the Shinpageki, which she headed after the death in 1965 of Hanayagi Shoutarou.
 
 
Hasegawa Shin (1884-1963) Novelist and theater writer.
 
 
Edogawa Ranpo (1894-1965) Novelist, first and foremost Japanese crime novel writer.
 
 
Iwata Sentaro (1901-1974) Painter, illustrator, Adviser for period movies.
 
 
Shikiba Ryusaburo (1898-1965) Psychiatrist, art critic and close friend of Mishima Yukio.
 
 
Miyao Shigeo (1902-1982) Illustrator and Specialist of Edo culture.
 
 
Suma Toshiyoki (aka Kita Reiko) (1920-1992) SM Illustrator.
 
 
Konkontei Imasuke the 5th (1998-1976) Rakugoka.
 
  
==References==
+
==Notes==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
==Notes==
+
 
<references group="note"/>
+
 
 +
==References (※)==
 +
<references group=""/>
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
 +
* [http://traffic.libsyn.com/kinbakunomicon/kinbakunomicon17.mp4 "A Pictorial Record of Strange Punishments for Events of the Twelve Months" (full English reading with pictures).]
 +
 +
* [https://kokoro-kinbaku.com/2016/10/20/itoh-seiu-fifteen-ways-to-tie-a-womans-body-1953/ "Fifteen Ways to Tie a Woman's Body'' (English translation on Kinbaku Books blog).]
 +
  
  
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[[Category:Kinbakushi]]
 
[[Category:Kinbakushi]]
 
[[Category:Artist]]
 
[[Category:Artist]]
[[Category:Photographer]]
+
[[Category:Writer]]
 
[[Category:index]]
 
[[Category:index]]

Latest revision as of 18:09, 22 November 2023

Ito (伊藤) family name, Seiu (晴雨) first name, (1882-1961)

Seiu Ito was a pioneer on the subject of torment, and his pre-war illustrations and photographs had a major influence on the nascent SM world in Japan during mid 20th century. His influence continues to the present day.
Seiu Ito

Activities

Painter, Writer, Kinbakushi

Alternate Names

伊藤晴雨(Japanese), Hajime Ito (伊藤一, real name)

Summary

Born in 1882, Ito was strongly attracted to scenes of torture in stories and theater plays from an early age, and he produced a large body of paintings, drawings and photographs depicting scenes of torture and kinbaku, often using his wife or mistress as his model.

By the 1910s, Ito was a newspaper illustrator and then a theater critic. He later became the head of the Performing Arts section as well as the main illustrator for the Yomiuri News. At the beginning of the Taisho period (1912-1926), he met Kaneyo Sasaki (Oyou) and Kise Sahara, two women who would eventually become his models. He deepened his study of torture art and photography, and in the closing years of Taisho, he rode the wave of the eroguro movement and attracted attention as a “painter of perversion”. In 1928, he published his first kinbaku-related book (Seme no Kenkyu – Torment Research), which was soon after banned by the authorities.

During the Taisho period, he established theater groups whose plays centered on torture scenes. Before World War II, he published a large number of collections of graphic works through editor Suikodo Shoten. Ito was at the height of his career, but this was interrupted by the war. After the war, he worked as a writer in magazines such as Ningen Tankyu, Kitan Club and Fuzoku Soshi. In addition, he organized frequent photo sessions, and the resulting photos can be seen as “photos in the Seiyu way” in magazines such as Fuzoku Soshi, Fuzoku Kitan and Uramado. In 1953, he started the Seme no Gekidan (Torture Theater Group) which performed at Ichikawa Suzumoto theater in Tokyo and others.

He was also an historian and his lifelong research culminated in the book Iroha Biki -- Edo to Tokyo Fuzoku Yashi which details the tools and crafts of old Tokyo.

Biography

1882: Born March 3rd in Tokyo, Asakusa district, Kinryusan Kudarikawara 5, the eldest son of Kintaro Ito, a metal engraver.

1890: Accepted as an apprentice by Teiu Nozawa, a member of the Edo-based Korin school of drawing; at about nine years of age, discovers his obsession with the perfume of women’s hair as well as punishment scenes in theater plays.

1891: Receives a copy of the story of Princess Chujo from his mother. the snow torture scene in the story leaves a strong impression.

1892: Goes with his parents to the theater Honjo Kotobukiza and watches a performance of Otono Yoshida’s Maneku Furisode (An Inviting Kimono Sleeve); the scene of torture leaves a profound mark.

1894: Becomes the apprentice of ivory carver Seisyu Naito in the district of Honjo Aioi-cho, Tokyo.

1895: Starts to collect pictures related to torture.

1896: Starts to draw advertisements for theater plays.

1896: In June, Ito goes to the Haruki Theater in the district of Hongo, Tokyo to watch Nisshin Senso Youchi no Ada Tan (Raid Nocturne During the Nishiin War), a play in the Soshi Shibai (Outlaw Theater) where a scene of a nurse being tortured leaves a deep impression.

1898: While still an apprentice ivory carver, uses his free time to draw ropes of illustrations of women published in the Tokyo Asahi newspaper.

1899: Ito is strongly impressed by the torture chamber in Yoshimi Mizuno's play "Akumabarai" (Sweep Away the Demons) performed at the Tokiwa Theater in Asakusa.

1905: With the intention of becoming a painter, terminates his apprenticeship with the ivory carver and moves to Kyoto; tries different occupations in succession but eventually returns to Tokyo.

1907: Joins the Mai-Chou Shinbun as an artist/journalist for the newspaper published in the Nihonbashi, Tokyo district. He is put in charge of illustrating Ghost Island[1] by writer Syuhei Arigawa.

1909: Joins the Yamato Shinbun Sha[2] and is put in charge of illustrations. Meanwhile, he continues to be the theater critic for the Maiseki Shinbun.


Through an arranged introduction, he marries Takeo, the younger sister of the wife of Terunobu Tamaki[3]. Around this time, he gains a steady income from numerous commissions for illustrations and spends most of his money on entertainment.

1916: Starts a relationship with his model Kaneyo Sasaki (Oyou) and starts drawing his first torture illustrations.

1918: Kaneyo Sasaki (Oyou) starts living with the painter and poet, Yumeji Takehisa (1884-1934).

1919: Starts the Ghost Stories Society[4] in Hyakkaen park in Mukojima, Tokyo along with the writers Rokko Hirayama (1881-1953), Kogen Miyake (1886-1951), Kyoka Izumi (1873-1939), Mantaro Kubota (1889-1963), and actors Saitenzan III Kinjo (1863-1935), Yoho Ii (1871-1932), and Shotaro Hanayagi (1894-1965).

1919: Divorces Takeo and marries Kise Sahara.

1919: Takes snow torture photos of Kise Sahara in his garden. The photographer is YuuKa.

1919 upside-down suspension photo of a pregnant Kise Sahara.

1920: Makes his fist attempt at suspending Kise Sahara. He also suspends his wife’s younger daughter in his workshop and takes photos of them.

1921: With Kise Sahara now pregnant, he creates Photo in Inverted Suspension of a Beautiful Woman in Her Last Month of Pregnancy.

1921: Senzaburo Suzuki (1893-1924), a theater writer, publishes Burning Her Alive, a play inspired by Seiu Ito and his studio at that time.

1923: Borrowing a farmer's house in Shimotakaido from his student Gajou Sakamoto, he takes photos of snow torture with the photographer Raisui Suzuki. The location was noted for the plum tree in the garden.

1923: Great Kanto Earthquake occurs. Ito's residence escapes fire damage. At this time he had lent the Photo in Inverted Suspension of a Beautiful Woman in Her Last Month of Pregnancy to his friend, Tomitsuka Kenzo, which is eventually published in the December 1936 issue of "Hentai Shiryou" magazine ("Pervert Documents" magazine).

1923: Publishes An Alphabetized Unofficial History of Edo and Tokyo Customs.

1924: Publishes torture photos of Kise Sahara in Sunday Mainichi. He acquires a reputation for perversion.

1925: Starts a theater group which concentrates on torture scenes.

1926: The December issue of Hentai Shiriou magazine publishes Photo in Inverted Suspension of a Beautiful Woman in Her Last Month of Pregnancy without Ito's permission.

1927: The first volume of "An Aphabetized Unofficial History of the Customs of Edo and Tokyo" is published by Hirobunkan.

1928: Publishes "Torment Research," which is quickly banned by the authorities.

1930: Works as contributor and editor for the Kodanzasshi magazine.

1931: Marries for a third time. Ito's wife suffers from mental illness and he goes into debt.

1932: Publishes Ecstatic Dance of Beautiful Women.

1932: Publishes volume six of "An Aphabetized Unofficial History of the Customs of Edo and Tokyo".

1933: Starts his second theater group.

1945: His home is destroyed during the Great Tokyo Air Raid.

1947: "The Japanese Wife Who Wanted to Be Oppressed" is published in the fourth issue of the Rioki magazine.

1950: Torture theater is presented at the Hyakumandoru Gekijo (Million Dollar Theater) in Asakusa, Tokyo.

1951: Apr. Exchanges letters with Toshiyuki Suma until at least January 1954.

1951: Publishes a series of essays in Ningen Tankyuu magazine.

1951: To celebrate the launch of Amatoria magazine, Ito takes part in a group trip (80 persons) to the Rendaiji Onsen resort in Izu. Among the participants were: Nakada Masahisa (1922-), editor of noir literature; Miyake Ichirou, expert on Japanese politics; Kawakami Santaro (1891-1968), writer of comic haikus; Okada Hiroshi; Ikeda Bunchian (1902-1972), one of the first specialists in popular culture in Japan; Hayashiya Shouraku VI (1896-1966), rakugoka; Kitasato Toshio (1913-1980); Nanbu Kyoichiro (1904-1975), movie critic; Takeno Tosuke (1889-1966), writer; Ono Joutoku.

"Mesoku Uramono Jo." Amatoria magazine, 1951

1951: "Book on Secret Things in a Women's Jail" is edited by Seiu Ito and is intended as a supplement to be published inside Amatoria. However, it becomes a problem and is detached from the magazine.

1953: Edits a photo supplement of mainly kinbaku photos to the January issue of Yomikiri Romance magazine titled "Graphic Depiction of Ecstasy in Pleasure and Pain." It is the second such supplement by the magazine[5]. Ueda Seijiro, the editor of Yomikiri Romance, is generally considered to have been strongly influenced by Ito. The photos in "Nude Customs Album" are seen as pre-dating the first SM works published in Kitan Club.

1953: Ito publishes a short piece describing his thoughts on Reiko Kita in the January issue of Kitan Club.

1953: Starts his fourth Torture Theater Group with its activity centered around the Nakamura-Za Theatre.

1953: Torture Theater Group gives its first presentation at the Ishikawa Suzumoto theater on June 4th.

1953: Second group of representations at the theater Nakamura-Za in July.

1954: Meets Toshiyuki Suma for the first time in person.

1954: On January 29th, NHK Channel One broadcasts a radio interview about Torment Research.

1955: Photographer Hiroshi Kawaguchi pays a visit to Ito, which begins their friendship.

1956: Forms a friendship with kinbakushi Takashi Tsujimura.

1960: Receives a prize from the Federation of Fine Art Publishers.

1961: Seiu Ito passes away. Tetsuo Takahashi, Toshiyuki Suma, Ueda Seijiro and Masahisa Tanaka attend the funeral.

1966: Oniroku Dan's novel "Ryoki no Hate" ("At the Extreme of Hunting for the Bizarre<") is based on Ito.

1968: Oniroku Dan publishes "Personal Writing on the Story of Seiu Ito" in the December issue of Kitan Club.

1969: The Toei film company holds a few discussions with Oniroku Dan to make a movie on the life of Seiu Ito. An agreement is not reached.

1977: Nikkatsu Film company produces the movie "From the Forbidden Book -- Ecstatic Dance of the Beautiful Women -- Torture!".

1978: Keiyu Tamai puts on the play "Bizarre Stories of Seiu Ito" at the Jiyu Gekijo (Free Theater).

1996: Oniroku Dan publishes a chronicle of Seiu Ito titled "The Heretical Crowd".

2002: "The Heretical Crowd" is made into a movie under the title "Oyou".


Selected Works

Books
  • An Aphabetized Unofficial History of the Customs of Edo and Tokyo (1922-1932)
  • Unofficial History of the Customs of Edo and Tokyo (Arimitsu Shobo, 1997)
  • Accounts of Torture (1929)
  • Explanation of Text (1930)
  • Perverse Images of Punishment in Japan (1930)
  • Human Flesh Market (1947)
  • Illustrated History of Punishment in Japan, (two volumes). in collaboration with Fujisawa Ehiko, 1948
  • Illustrated History of Punishment Customs in Japan 3 vols (1948)
  • Illustrated History of Punishment Customs in Japan 3 vols (2010)
  • A Pictorial Record of Strange Punishments for Events of the Twelve Months (1950)
  • Seme No Korekushon
  • Seiu Ito Photo Book - Seme-e Women (1996)
  • Seiu Ito - Seiu's Secret Notebooks (2002)


Image Collections
  • Ecstatic Dance of Beautiful Women (1932). Book of Illustrations
  • 36 Remembrances of Women (1930)
  • Torment Picture Scroll of Twelve Beautiful Women in Torment (1952)
  • Seiu Ito Picture Collection (1997)
  • Image Collection of Extreme Torture and Private Punishment of Women's Bodies
  • The Yasuda Collection Vol. 5 - A Reproduction of “Woman From Hell” and “Rongo Tsukai”. Private printing. 2010.[6]


Magazines
  • Drawing Women in Torment (Kitan Club, Jan 1953)
  • Fifteen Ways to Tie a Woman (Fuzoku Soshi, Sep 1953)
  • Posed Defilements (Fuzoku Soshi, Dec 1953)


Image Gallery


Related Persons

Joujirou Sawada (1892-1929): Actor and theater administrator, founder of the Shinkokugeki theater group.

Goro Zoganoya (1877-1948): Actor and dramaturge.

Uzaemon XV Ichimura (1874-1945): A kabuki actors in the Taisho and early Showa periods.

Keigo VI Onoe (1870-1934): Famous kabuki onnagata actor.

Ryutarou Natsumi (1905-1989): Actor who belonged to the Shinkokugeki movement.

Rokurou Kitamura (1871-1961): Kabuki onnagata actor and member of the Shinpageki, a theater genre established in 1888.

Yaeko Mizutani (1905-1979): Actress and representative of the Shinpageki, which she headed after the death Hanayagi Shotaro in 1965.

Shin Hasegawa (1884-1963): Novelist and theater writer.

Ranpo Edogawa (1894-1965): First and foremost Japanese crime novelist.

Sentaro Iwata(1901-1974): Painter, illustrator, and adviser for period movies.

Ryusaburo Shikiba(1898-1965): Psychiatrist, art critic and close friend of Yukio Mishima.

Shigeo Miyao (1902-1982): Illustrator and specialist in Edo culture.

Toshiyuki Suma (1920-1992): SM illustrator.

Imasuke V Konkontei (1998-1976): Rakugoka.



Notes

  1. "Yomashima."
  2. A newspaper located in Kyobashi, Tokyo.
  3. Terunobu Tamaki (1879-1953), a scenery painter of the Shinpa (new school) movement
  4. "Kaidan Kai"
  5. The first one being published in August 1952, titled "Nude Customs Album." These two supplements represent the first two publications entirely devoted to kinbaku in the period following the Second World War.[Citation needed]
  6. This is the 5th volume of a series of nine books dedicated to the erotic book collection amassed by Yoshida Ashiaki (1918-2008), one of the foremost experts on Japanese erotica in the 20th century (only the 5th volume contains works by Seiu Ito).


References (※)

External Links