Marica Hase & Norio Sugiura: A Decade of Kinbaku Artistry

Emily Williams · 2026-08-20

You know, sometimes things just click. And for Marica Hase, her connection with kinbaku artistry, especially alongside photographer Norio Sugiura, has been a truly remarkable journey. It's not just a passing phase; it’s a deep, abiding love for an art form that she's embraced for over a decade. Recently, she headed back to Japan, her home country, to collaborate with Sugiura again, bringing us some absolutely stunning new photography and video that you can check out at SugiuraNorio.jp. ### A Long-Standing Artistic Partnership Marica and Norio's professional relationship goes way back, more than 10 years, actually. She's been one of his go-to models for all that time, but her history with kinbaku itself stretches even further. Think about it: living in Japan, she immersed herself in the culture, participating in sessions and live performances with real, traditional rope masters. This wasn't just a job; it truly shaped her artistic identity and became a core part of her work. It's clear how much this art form means to her. Marica herself shared, "Kinbaku is one of the art forms I have always loved and respected. I have been one of Norio Sugiura’s models for more than 10 years, and I am very happy to share the photos and videos we shot during my last trip to Japan. The positions and setups are very difficult, but these are my favorite moments." You can feel the passion, right? It’s not about ease; it’s about the challenge and the beauty found within it. ### The Dynamic World of Kinbaku Photography Norio Sugiura isn't just any photographer; he's considered one of the world's leading figures in kinbaku photography. His approach is incredibly dynamic, almost like a live documentary. He captures the essence of these performances and sessions in a way that feels raw and immediate. Marica’s latest work with him is part of his ongoing collaborations with other internationally known rope artists, creating a rich tapestry of this unique art form. If you're curious, and really, who wouldn't be, you can explore Marica's newest kinbaku pieces on SugiuraNorio.jp. They've even made it easy for international visitors by offering an English-language menu, so you won't miss a thing. It’s a fantastic opportunity to see the results of this long-standing, dedicated partnership. ### Marica Hase: Beyond the Art Marica Hase is truly an international force. Born in Japan, her career spans across the United States, Europe, and Asia. She started in mainstream Japanese television, film, and modeling before making the leap into adult entertainment. What's really impressive is that she managed to build a unique cross-market career, even becoming the only Japanese performer to be named a Penthouse Pet in the U.S. That's a pretty big deal! Her journey to prominence included winning the SOD Create Cinderella Audition, which is a major talent search from one of Japan’s top production companies. This led to her debut as an exclusive performer, all while she was still working in mainstream media. Later, she became an exclusive performer for EROTICA, further expanding her career globally, picking up industry awards, making live appearances, doing voice work, and even earning Hall of Fame recognition along the way. Marica's life hasn't been without its challenges, though. She faced a breast cancer diagnosis in 2019, leading to an extended break for treatment, including a double mastectomy and lymph node removal in 2022. But she's a fighter, and she returned to both adult entertainment and Japanese television. In early 2025, she faced another hurdle with a cervical cancer diagnosis, but she overcame that too, and is back to filming. Her resilience is truly inspiring. Outside of her professional life, Marica is a passionate advocate for cancer awareness and animal rescue. She also shares glimpses of her off-camera personality through daily social media vlogs, often featuring Buusan, her beloved pig plush character who has become a fan favorite in his own right. It just goes to show, there's so much more to Marica Hase than meets the eye.