I am delighted to be hosting Osada Steve for his London shibari workshops, which form part of his extensive summer tour. Once again, these classes will be held at our favourite local venue, The Flying Dutchman, on 10-11 and 17-18 August.
Limited availability: Only 17-18 August now available
Who is Osada Steve?
Steve began his career 30 years ago under the instruction of Osada Eikechi, the pioneer of stage shibari. Since then, he has become a full-time bakushi who has taught hundreds of students, produced countless videos and performed over 600 times. He studied under the grand master of newaza (floor-work), Yukimura Haruki, up until his death.
I was lucky enough to meet Steve well over 10 years ago and have tuition from him. Since then, he has been the main influence on what has become my own pick’n’mix style, which also draws from a number of other Japanese masters.
The big advantage of his teaching
He is undoubtedly the premier ambassador of shibari in the west as he has long provided tuition in his native tongue, German, and also in excellent English. He provided the first extensive teaching of authentic kinbaku and provided a gateway to the otherwise almost impenetrable underground scene of Japan.
Even now, if you are not a Japanese speaker, with all the other masters of Japan, there is a language barrier. Sure, you can use a translator but it will, at best, only be an interpretation, not least because Japanese and English are so different, or, at worst, just plain wrong or severely truncated. His language skills mean that you have the unique ability to hear everything ‘straight from the horse’s mouth’, as we say. In other words, nothing is lost in translation.
Book tickets
Booking notes
- Tickets are per couple, i.e. rigger and partner/model, but you are welcome to switch roles.
- Please note that early bird tickets are non-refundable in the event of cancellation. They may, however, be reassigned to another student couple.
- Over 18’s only
- Please make the instructor and organisers aware of any triggers, medical, psychological or other issues that should be taken into consideration.
- There is a strict no nudity/no sexual activity policy as the class is purely instructional in accordance with PayPal policies
August 17-18, 12:00-18:30
Saturday
- Quick 3TK clinic to get your tension up to speed
- Exercise for connective tying A: Madame Butterfly fast tying
- Exercise for connective tying B: Ipponnawa slow tying
- Aisatsu shibari (greeting tie or get-to-know-each-other tie)
- Ayatorinawa (cat’s cradle tie)
- Imparting the Japanese-inspired mindset
- An introduction to the Nine Gates of Osada-ryu part 1
Sunday
- Going full blast on various chest loading and other suspension types
- Revealing the secrets of urawaza, the hidden techniques
- Diamond harnesses and hojojutsu patterns
- An introduction to the Nine Gates of Osada-ryu part 2
- Concepts of body control
- The power of nawajiri (rope end or tail)
