Nawashi Kanna

Nawashi Kanna is a Japanese rope artist and performer, a Kinbakushi. Considered the successor of Akechi Denki, he has studied the rope methods used by the police and armed forces. From there, he has developed his own original kinbaku style, the Nawashi Kanna style.

Nawashi Kanna’s style derives many of its forms from hojojutsu. So, they usually show an intricate pattern of ropes in the back, balanced by clean lines on the front. Likewise, his kinbaku is restrictive and often includes forms of breath control.

Nawashi has taught a number of famous bakushi. They include Osada Steve, who has referred to him as “The best rigger in the world”. Actually, Nawashi is world-renowned for his precision, rope-handling and control of tension. He shares his stunning performances with his partner, Kagura.

Kagura and Nawashi Kanna have been working together for 14 years. Actually, they have travelled around the world teaching and performing Japanese Kinbaku. In their style, the rope has no gender or borders, and rope should be for everyone, and could be fun for both the rigger and the model.

For Nawashi Kanna, aesthetics and patterns are what comes after deeply connecting to your partner and giving them sweet consensual torment, delicious suffering and sweet relief. In Kanna’s school of rope, every rope, every placement, every tension and action should have an intention that the person tying is controlling.

Their classes give an introducción to the fundamentals of the Kanna-Ryu/Kanna style. Their fundamentals go back and rediscover the basic of shibari patterns, and the fundamental principles, reasons and intentions of tying, along with multiple options and variations. With them, you will learn the theory and historical culture of the style, as well as variations, patterns and how to combine each according to your intention, need and body.

Image: Roberto Duran

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