Hajime Kinoko (一鬼のこ)

Hajime Kinoko (一鬼のこ), born 1977, is a Japanese nawashi in the Ichinawa-ryū.

1977–present

Era: 2000s

NAWASHI · TEACHER · ARTIST

One of the most internationally visible contemporary nawashi and a leading kinbaku artist. Born 22 October 1977 in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Took up rope for the first time in 2001 through his girlfriend's interest; began self-teaching in 2003 with advice from Yumeko. While managing a fetish bar in Tokyo encountered Akechi Denki's workshops there and was profoundly shaped by him; also guided by Haruki Yukimura and Nawashi Kanna — most of Kinoko's teaching is based on Kanna's method, which he openly credits. Burst onto the mainstream stage with a performance at Fuji Rock Festival in 2009. Founded his own school Ichinawakai where he trains a new generation of students (~40% women) and has lifted kinbaku into fine-art contexts worldwide.

School: Ichinawa-ryū

Certified / licensed instructors: Jonathan Ryan, Marie Sauvage, Jake, ZIMA, BENI, Otonawa, Nijimura Minami, Louis Kordexe, MARUYAMA Ikuo, Karatachi Miyu, masa, Nyokki, Kusunoko Yuu, Kohei Shibusawa, Oden, Garen, VESPER, Chihiro of Tokyo, Hayashizaki Yoshinobu, Yahyoguma, Shiratori Haruka, Wataru Shindo, TheRopeholic, Xia, Ko, Shun, Sally, Tsukasa, Tetsu Kurohebi, SIN.

Influences (mutual or directional): Akechi Denki, Yukimura Haruki, Akechi Kanna, Kasumi Hourai, Nawarei, Hebari, Esinem, Felix Ruckert, Kenyade, Davide La Greca, Miumi-U, Soptik, Shishiwaka, Ash Snare, Nicolas Yoroi, Ryuan, Dan Carabas, Tati Limati, Andrea Ropes, GoodMostTimes, Sydona, Charles Ilcoatl, Ishara Gabri, Tony Ds, Fritz Bosworth.

Influenced by: Shibari Perth.

Collaborators: Andreas Regner, Gorgone, Amanita, Kaneko Misaki, Aika Yoshioka, Luiza Jesus do Prado, Aimi.

Associated venues, magazines, films and performances: Ichinawakai, Toubaku, Place des Cordes, RopeFest 2010s, London Festival of Rope Art / Japanese Bondage, Onawa Asobi, Shibari Study, Jyo-mon / 縄門, Fesselkunstraum, Shibari Experience Brazil, Studio Rokkaku, Unbound Tokyo, Amazing Tied-Land 2026, Sansei Lounge Seoul / SanseiSalon, Bound Studio, KAGURA / Kagura UtuTu, MeART Kinoko Live Hong Kong, Jyowa / Rope Stories, The Pleasure of Rope.