A-Nicolas

A-Nicolas is a Belgian nawashi in the Osada / Western.

Era: 2010s

NAWASHI · TEACHER · PHOTOGRAPHER

Belgian rope artist, educator, rigger and photographer now working publicly as A-Nicolas, formerly Nicolas Yoroï. He began exploring rope in 1999 and spent four years in Japan studying under Go Arisue while pursuing Aikidō and Japanese culture. After returning to Europe he developed Yoroi-ryu, a minimalist, organic and movement-led approach shaped by Japanese kinbaku, Aikidō, Thai massage, tango, contact improvisation and System A. He began teaching in 2011 and opened a Brussels dojo in 2015; The Boring Dojo now carries a structured programme from introductory kinbaku through floor work, suspension and research. His official history also names study with Tesshin Doyama, Hajime Kinoko, Ottonawa, Kazami Ranki, Felix Ruckert, Shadow and Pedro Cordas. Subspace Prague currently presents the method as Nicolas ryu, formerly Yoroi-ryu, and identifies Joan von Brook as authorized to teach it in the Czech Republic.

School: Osada / Western

Teachers / direct apprenticeship lineage: Arisue Go.

Certified / licensed instructors: Joan von Brook.

Influences (mutual or directional): Hajime Kinoko, Tesshin Doyama, Pedro Cordas, RopuNawa, FranckStunn, Soptik, Dan Carabas, Tati Limati, Door, isith, BondageOtter, Stella Spei, Kristina Marlen.

Influenced by: Atelier Mae.

Collaborators: Saara Rei, Carnivore.

Associated venues, magazines, films and performances: The Boring Dojo, EURIX 2010s, BoundCon Munich 2010s, Helsinki Shibari, EURIX 2020s, Shi Fest Ukraine, Shibari Camp Ukraine, Pinse Camp Denmark, Rome Bondage Week, Luhmen d'Arc.