Those of you who were at BOUND in March will probably still be talking about the show by Cabi and Kimokawaii. As our compere said, it was her first show since her stroke and what a show it was. For those who don’t know, these two young performers are regulars, who regard BOUND as their spiritual home, and have grown with the event, always amazing us with innovative shows.
Kimokawaii is proud to be, in her words, a “fatter bunny”, but her tremendous strength and courage have proved that there is no bar in shibari, not even having a stroke. There is always a way and spreading this word is now something of a crusade for them both. I think this shines through in her words on Facebook:
“Things are pretty shit. 4 months ago I had a stroke. I’m paralysed down my right side. Apparently, I’m supposed to feel lucky as 3/4 of my brain died and I should have been a quadriplegic. I don’t feel lucky. I’m grateful that I’m starting to move (although I look like I’m in Monty Python’s Ministry of Funny Walks) but I’m still confined to my wheelchair and can’t do anything without help.
I was doing OK, sucking it up and getting on with it, but now annoyingly were being evicted and trying to do anything this house needs seems impossible. There have been times when I’ve broken down crying because I’ve spilt a drink, because it wouldn’t have happened with both hands. People often say that I’m unlucky and I was so young, but it happens and why not to me. It had to be someone. Bastard.
My owner has been amazing. He kept me even though I told him to go. He became my carer. He takes me out. He helps bring up my son. He does rope with me. Rope has probably been the most frustrating outcome. We asked so many doctors if rope caused it and we got a resounding no (thank god as there would have been hell of a fight to do it anyway!) I have lost all my pain tolerance and flexibility and I felt like it was something I was actually good at and came naturally and now I’m starting from scratch with lots of limitations. My owner has been working hard for me, adapting ties, getting my stretch better, getting my ability back. And we’ve done lots.
We went to Eurix recently and I think I wanted to go so much last time that’s all I had stuck in my head. I was so glad we’d bit the bullet and gone. Scratched that itch. But being there was so hard. Learning new things meant they couldn’t be adapted. I couldn’t do most. And constantly failing in front of everyone was so hard. No one made me feel bad, but I felt that people were questioning my ability and if it was right for me to come. I broke a few times, so aware of how abnormal I was.
It was important to me to be seen to be trying though, that this limitation didn’t have to stand in our way. Limitations never have. I’ve always been proud to be a fatter bunny and let people see rope was for anyone and the disability has just taken that further. I won’t let get in the way. We actually use the wheelchair during rope as an extra fuck you! Things are hard, sometimes really hard, but there is a light way back at the end of this very long tunnel. I can’t be more grateful Cabi. He’s amazing.”
We’d like to share the full length HD edit, which is something usually only accessible to members, to help spread their message of positivity. You don’t have to but we would really appreciate it if you’d show your support by sharing on social media.
Here’s a bit more in a more formal tone about this couple and their endeavours:
Cabi and Kimokawaii have been tying together; teaching rope; treating rope; and running workshops for over a year. They run events and try to provide Sussex with a rope space, aimed to be open, accepting, knowledge sharing and accessible to all.
Cabi and Kimo have learnt from many teachers, such as:
Prestigious Japanese Riggers: Ren yugami, Kinoko Hajimi, Kasumi Hourai and Miu-Miu.
And then other well known riggers from the world: Andra Poloutropon (New York)Andrea Quartacorda (Firenze)Hera Delgado (Mallorca)Isabelle Hanikamu (Montreal)Lahtnor (Gothenburg)NIna Russ (London) Bruce Esinem (London) Shadow (Antwerpen)Zor (Madrid) Rope and Bones (UK) Dave and clover (UK) Gorgone (France)
Kimokawaii recently had a stroke and they have used this challenge along with the other difference to the norm of being a bigger bunny to perform on stage with great aplomb and teach with a wide knowledge base and diversity! You can find them on Instagram as frictionropes or Facebook as www.fb.com/cabirope.