Introduction to Akechi-style

(with a variety of chest harnesses) 

 with Mango and Rio

price per tying pair: 

BOUND Members $300|TIED Members $325 | WRAPPED Members $350

Saturday and Sunday 

May 30th-31st, 10:00am - 5:00pm

Registration will be enabled Sunday, April 12th @12 noon MST

This workshop is intended for people who tie and people in rope who already have some experience (see prerequisites). In this 2-day workshop, we will explore some of the core principles of Akechi-style semenawa with an emphasis on a diversity of harnesses. We will spend the weekend exploring complex and precise ties, sometimes intricate, more often than not simply tortuous, while taking the time to enjoy the process and the many possibilities Akechi's semenawa offers.

Mango is one of the two currently active authorized instructors of the style, and Rio will be his partner for this class.

Nawashi Akechi Kanna is a leading Japanese rope artist. As a successor of Akechi Denki, they have developed a semenawa style (tormenting rope) that draws inspiration from hojōjutsu. Akechi-style is restrictive and emphasizes precise control of the body, often incorporating elements that play with breath. Kanna and their partner Kagura explain their approach in these words: "We believe that rope has no gender or borders. Rope should be for everyone and can be enjoyable for both the rigger and the model". 

We will explore various floorwork ties, partials, suspensions and discover some of Nawashi Akechi Kanna’s signature ties with an emphasis on understanding semenawa from a practical and conceptual level. As one of the principles of Akechi-ryū is adapting to anybody, alternatives and extra options will be provided if necessary. While we could demonstrate some of the ties with a takate kote (TK), alternatives will be provided and you can expect a variety of chest harnesses (for instance, tengu, teppō, back arm binder, etc.). Partials and suspensions will start from a single hardpoint, creating shapes that compress the body. 

Content will be adapted to the group.  This workshop could include some of these ties: agura, gyaku ebi, hikyaku dzuri, shachihoko, etc. Safety and creativity will be emphasized throughout the class, and the content will be adapted to the level and needs of the group. Please note that the class may include crotch rope and light strangulation. 

What to bring:

• At least 10 ropes (7-8 meters/30ft, Ø 5-6mm), ideally jute rope or hemp rope;

• 4-5 carabiners rated for climbing;

• 1 climbing sling to attach a carabiner to a hard point.

Pre-requisites:

• People-who-tie must know basic frictions (hitch, x-friction) as well as single and double column ties

• People-who-tie must know a TK (takate kote, boxtie) OR a solid suspendable arms-free harness (knowledge of a version of stem-based TK is preferable)

• People-in-rope need to have been tied in a TK before. Low hands or hands free are also acceptable alternatives. In that case, people-who-tie should already be comfortable with this such configurations

• People-in-rope should be familiar with the differences in sensation between nerve and blood circulation impingement and how those feel for their bodies

• People-in-rope should be able to communicate effectively about their experience, needs, and desires in ropes

THIS IS AN INTERMEDIATE INTENSIVE, LEVEL 3 on our matrix If you are unsure if your skill level is suitable for this intensive, please reach out to nate@studiofriction.com

About the Instructors:

Mango (He/Him)

Originally from Europe and currently residing in Ottawa, Canada, mango (he/him) started his rope journey in 2015 as a rigger. He enjoys challenging and tormenting ropes, the playful art of semenawa. His main interest lies in simple ties and in the classics of kinbaku. He equally enjoys exploring floorwork and suspensions as they allow a vast array of play possibilities. In January 2022, Nawashi Akechi Kanna, one of Japan's leading and most influential rope artists and teachers, named him an official instructor of their style (Akechi-ryu, from the Kanna lineage). Mango has assisted Kanna in their teaching in Japan, Singapore, Canada and the US. He has performed and shared his knowledge about semenawa in over a dozen countries across the world (Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa) and closer to home. He is the co-founder of CORE, a rope education collective in Ottawa. @mangoties on Instagram

Rio (They/Them)

Originally from Brazil and now residing in Montréal, Canada, Rio (they/them) has been practicing rope since 2017 as both a top and bottom. While they have experience in different rope styles, they hold a special interest in the Kanna-ryū philosophy. Their practice values connecting through torment in play, emphasizing body awareness and its impact on choices and movement. They focus on sharing experiences to foster a deeper understanding of ourselves and developing meaningful rope partnerships. @rio_rope on Instagram

Important Registration Information: