Blooming Within: Low Hands Gote with Naoko

Gote Shibari, an iconic and fundamental tie in Shibari, is often taught in a systematic, structured way especially to beginners. In this evening class, Naoko will go deeper into the meaning of Gote Shibari beyond patterns, covering the nuanced techniques, emotions and aesthetics.

Naoko will demonstrate using gote shibari in low hand position. Students will be able to learn transferrable skills and concepts that can be applied to different types of gote shibari and ties in general. She will also share with students how her ikebana practice influences the way she approaches gote shibari.

During the evening class, we will discuss the micro perspective (minute details) and macro perspective (big picture) when tying gote shibari.

Topics will include:

1. Rope 0: what happens before the rope goes on the body? How to set the mood, start the session, read your partner through non-verbal cues and give response.
2. The fundamental feeling points of gote shibari and how to create strong impact in the right place at the right time in the right way (i.e. right = right in the moment, for you and your partner, instead of being “correct”)
3. How to capture the wrists
4. Advanced rope handling techniques
5. Dressing vs not dressing the ropes in gote shibari
6. How and when to add the next rope by reading the model so that gote shibari is beyond a technical exercise
7. Understanding balance and imbalance in the context of gote shibari

This workshop offers a balanced approach, giving equal attention to both roles—the person tying (top) and the person being tied (bottom). Shibari is an intimate partnership, and it’s crucial to understand the perspectives of both sides, as well as what we can do within our roles to participate in this shared experience.

Pre-requisites:

1. Partnered
2. For students who are tying: you must have good understanding of single column tie, frictions, tension, rope handling and some experience in gote shibari (in any style)
3. For students who are being tied: your wrists can cross comfortably behind the back (in low hand position) and you must enjoy being tied in gote shibari

What to bring:

1. 6 lengths of jute ropes (5-6mm in diameter) in varying lengths.
2. Safety shears or any other suitable cutting tools
3. A notepad and pen (We request a phone-free environment. If phone-based note-taking is necessary for accessibility, please let us know in advance so we can accommodate your needs).
4. Comfortable clothing.
5. Snacks and drinks.
6. Aftercare items.
7. Respect, kindness, and an open mind.

About Naoko (she/her)

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Naoko is a Shibari artist, performer, and educator based in London. She founded Studio Yukari (London, 2022) and Kokoro Studio (Hong Kong, 2015). She is part of Nawa Naka Kai 縄奈加会 and was recognized as the third deshi of Naka Akira 奈加あきら sensei in 2023.

Around 2011, Naoko was introduced to Shibari as a Shibari model. Deeply fascinated by its aesthetics, eroticism, and emotions, she began studying the art of Japanese rope bondage in Japan. Being drawn to the raw expression of vulnerability in semenawa 責め縄, Naoko found her teacher, Naka Akira sensei, and has been formally studying with him since.

Naoko's semenawa style is described as "feminine and inclusive." She draws great inspiration from her short encounter with Yukimura Haruki in 2014. The heart of her Shibari style is using rope to engage in an empathic conversation. With extensive experience in multiple tying styles and vast exposure to different rope communities in Asia and the West, she has developed a unique, adaptive, and evolving approach to tying and teaching.

Naoko has taught and performed in over twenty cities and has had the honor of assisting Naka Sensei at his Nawa-kai, Satsuei-kai, and Kenkyuu-kai in Tokyo, as well as his international workshops in London, San Francisco, Antwerp, Helsinki and Copenhagen.

https://www.instagram.com/naoko_london/

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