Naka Nawa-Kai & my London trip

📅 23rd-29th of February 2024

I had a beautiful trip to London, a city I always liked but where I never met a lot of people but it changed this time.

I had a ticket since October to Naka Nawa-Kai, an event by Naka sensei with two models: Iroha san and AwA hosted at Studio Yukari.

I decided to come back to London just for this event but things changed when I booked classes with Naoko when I decided to meet new people from the London scene.

The event

This event for me has changed a lot my perception of ropes, I wasn’t expecting a lot. I always hated big egos in the rock stars, and we can’t deny Naka sensei is someone who is really well known for his work and trajectory. He inspires a lot of us, he is one of the most well known if not the most influential person in the rope world.

I had a preconception of him from the stories I’ve read about him, from everything I’ve heard.

But I was wrong, I had a stereotyped version of him in my head. Asian cis not expressive rude dark man. This stereotyped version is not something I invented myself but something I created thanks to the “popular stories” about Naka sensei and his work.

I was expecting a lot from this event and it was much more than I anticipated. I can’t thank Naoko for encouraging me to come to the Naka Nawa-Kai back in October.

I entered the tatami room full of people I admire: Kurogami, Shiawase, Alexander Ma, Natasha, Fred Hatt or Anna Bones to name a few. Naka sensei was sitting alone, waiting in a comfy area in the room.

There was also a loud man helping people get a place, first I thought he was from the staff, he was called Frank and asked me to choose a place. The best paces are “watching from behind” but I decided to sit in the front row with one of the photographers on my left side and Kurogami on the right one.

After a few minutes the room was full of people, I counted 50 with the crew from Sudio Yukari, photographers, translators and the stars of the event: Naka sensei, Iroha San and AwA.

Naoko said some words and presented the stars of the event, and after a small talk from Frank, Naka sensei told us about his story: how he began, when he met Nureki Chimuo, how he saw VHS and magazines about ropes and didn’t got interest until he saw a live show.

Then the attendees asked Naka sensei and Iroha san a couple of questions and they answered. After that… he started tying AwA, almost breathless, not making any noise until she transitioned into the last part of the session.

I was speechless, she is such a strong model. That was incredible.

We had some more questions and then we had a break. We came back and Naka sensei continued talking and answering questions. After that the BIG session started with Iroha san. I felt their connection in every aspect. I can’t believe I’ve been there, in the front line 1,5m from Naka and Iroha. Seeing she cry, breath, moan so close was the best thing I’ve ever seen as a session in my rope journey.

More questions and the event finished.

AMAZING, I can’t say anything more, just amazing.

I’ve seen a lot of differences from the other shows I’ve seen, Japan ties are more free, here in Europe we are more into the “final destination”, the feet expression of Asian models is absolutely different from the Europeans, much more alive.

The session with Iroha san was raw and everyone could felt it.

Seeing a Japanese man joking in the middle of the session with Iroha san because a rope got tangled was super cute and it let me think how much westerners need to learn from this not taking the sessions to serious, not performing “seme” in front of the audience trying to mimic what is supposed to be.

I also want to thank Frank for being our interpreter. I was following him for years on other social media. If you know him, you understand what I’m talking about.

I’m still processing this event but I’m sure this will affect a lot on my tying, not getting attached so much to the patterns and exploring more the moment and feelings will improve a lot of how I see ropes.

I want to finish talking about the Naka Nawa-Kai saying how nice, humble is Naka sensei, I’m glad if seen this myself and not from a story.

Saturday: Ilia

Meeting someone for the first time is always hard for me. You make the idea of someone but then you meet them in person.

We had a good talk and we did some floor work and feet “massage”. Then we did a semi suspension. It was a pleasure meeting them.

Sunday: Anatomie Studio with Teddy and Joh

I knew Teddy with whom I said hi back in October and November. We’ve talked for sometime and decided what to do.

We started on the floor with one of the “openers” I do with new people, really chill and comfy. Then we did a semi suspension with a strappado and a futo.

Then I meet Joh, we said hi and hugged but I was waiting for months to meet this beautiful human being. We did a suspension with a TK, futo and waist line. We moved to another area and we did bridge backbend with tenshis, waist line and her feet in tiptoes.

It was a beautiful night meeting this two humans ☺️

Monday: Poppy

I meet Poppy back in November and we talked from time to time. We had really good conversations so I new her “a lot” from the internet. We did two M-shape suspensions, one with TK and a similar one with a strappado.

Tuesday: Bruised Bows

I didn’t talk a lot with her, we decided to meet and having a walk back the the place I was staying to tie I felt super comfortable.

We did a little floor work and a super nice suspension face up with TK, waist line and futo.

Lots of cuddles and a super warm human being.

Wednesday: private class with Naoko and Poppy + Ilia

I had the most amazing private class. Lots of good conversations about Naka sensei and the Naka Nawa-Kai. Poppy (my model) and AwA (Naoko’s model) were super strong!

I improved my TK, my strappado and the little details around them.

Then I meet Ilia again running from class because I was late! We had a little bit of floor work and then I tied them into different anchors. Kay’s spa is still a thing. Lots of care, teeth massages, slaps and beautiful feet fun.

I’m going back to Barcelona with my heart full, with a lot of new friends and beautiful memories from every day. Thanks everyone who was part of this wonderful trip 💙