BEYOND VANILLA 23 PRESENTER:
Tatu

I have been actively involved with rope and other kink play since around 1977/8 when I came across some Japanese and DID Bondage magazines in New Orleans, Louisiana while in graduate school. Rope has always been my first love. I came out to the visible community around 1993; about the time I also discovered videos from the famed, Randa Mai. In 2007 I traveled to Japan and did lessons with not only Randa Mai, but also with the most notable Bakushi in Japan, Arisue Go and Benio Takara, a female Rope Artist.

I am invited to present at six to ten national or international events each year. I teach rope monthly in south Florida and have taught privately to exclusive persons who wish not to be known in the public scene.

I was part of the initial concept and planning of the first Shibaricon, have presented at all Shibaricons and was the key note speaker at the 2nd Shibaricon in 2005. I have previously served on the Program Advisory Board of.

I am a founding board member (1997) and past president (2005) of SPICE a local BDSM Support and Education group. I served as Membership Chairman in 1997 & 1998 and founded and led OTC (Off The Cuff), a kinky discussion group in 1998 & 1999. While president of SPICE in 2005 I founded two new SIGs (Special Interest Groups), "Recovery in the Lifestyle", a group where the kinky curious can come together in their overcoming their addictions, and a South Florida TNG group to serve the South Florida community.

I am the founder of "The Palm Beach Munch" in 2000, which I passed on to new leadership in 2007. I founded "Shibari South Florida" aka "SILK", a rope Special Interest Group in 2000 which attracts 20-40 rope lovers each month to its monthly event at the Lifestyle Alternatives Centre of Palm Beach Facility. I opened the "Adult Rope Art" Yahoo Group list in August 2001, which is the largest rope education group in the world with over 14,000 members. I enjoy the spanking scene as well. Although I have involved myself in many aspects of the kink community, my primary interest is in Japanese Rope Art / Shibari.

I have been a long-standing member of a local Japanese cultural center, museum and gardens since the late 80's. I took Chado lessons (Japanese Tea) in 1999 & 2000 from a Japanese Tea Master. I demonstrated and served Chado since the 2nd Shibaricon in 2005. In 2009 I passed that task on to Madam Butterfly, who now graciously leads in this wonderful ceremony for the convention.

I have always enjoyed history, given my educational background, and have researched Shibari / Kinbaku extensively over the years. In 2005/6, I developed a unique PowerPoint presentation covering the history of Japanese Rope Bondage and Japan's historic rope culture. It has been very well received.

Outside of rope, my next interest is administering OTK spanking. While I have participated in "Leather" and BDSM community activities, I prefer to think of myself in a more rope friendly genre which I coined some years ago known as "SILK". The past few years I have been working on a book, "The Way of Rope".

Teaching Experience

I have been teaching & counseling all my adult life - about 36 years. My BA (1976) was in Social Studies Education (History, Psychology & Sociology) with a minor in Speech. My Master's degree (MDiv1979) followed suit. I have a total of 88 hours of post graduate work. I am presently considering returning to academia to finish up my Ph.D. For some 20 years I gave on average 3 public addresses each week and was professionally involved in counseling services.

I began teaching in the alternative lifestyle genre about 1997 (13-14 years ago). I was a founding board member and past president of our local BDSM Educational & Support group. I have presented at a number of national forums such as Shibaricon I-V, Black Rose, LIL (Living In Leather), SELF (SouthEast Leather Fest), BMSL (Beat Me in St Louis), Atlanta Bound, Orlando Bash, TEASE-Ontario, Boston, Mad Town Kink Fest, Kinky Kollege and Sinsations in Leather as well as numerous local or regional support groups. I have done a number of weekend intensive workshops on Japanese Rope.

Finally, materials and techniques for Nose and Face Torture, uses of bamboo and other natural elements to inflict shame and humiliation to torturous pain will be explored.

Requisite Skills: None
Level: Intermediate
Prerequisite: Japanese Chest Harness Class