"Kirigami Mastercalss" International Workshop

This masterclass is designed for advanced practitioners, professionals, and semi-professionals who wish to engage in a deeper, more articulated exploration of shibari encompassing technical discipline, didactical practice, aesthetic research and a sense of community.

Over the course of three days, we will work on:

• High-level technical refinement
• Teaching methodology and didactics
• Aesthetic research
• Communication, performance, and the future direction of the discipline

Participation is limited and selective. We have asked all interested participants to fill out the application form so we can better understand your background, experience, and interests, and shape the program accordingly.

The form includes questions about one's practice,  approach to ropes, and proposals for the themes we will explore together.
Applications remained open for one month circa. All applicants have been reviewed individually before confirmation.

This process is not meant as a test, but as a way to ensure a meaningful and coherent group, with a shared level of depth and commitment, while remaining open to input from many different styles and approaches.

If this resonates with your practice, we invite you to apply to the next edition at this link.

Prerequisites

For tops:

• Solid TK – any style
• Arm binder - any style
• Smooth and safe suspension lines management
• Confidence in suspension sessions
• Experience with suspension transitions

For bottoms:

• Feeling comfortable in tight ropes and in a gote for an extended period of time
• Being willing to sustain intense semenawa
• Understanding the difference between comfortable and sustainable, and willingness to explore both
• Ability to self monitor nerve compression and bloodflow restriction

For both:

• Being willing to discuss emotionally sensive topics
• Being open to tie in ways that might make you feel emotionally or sexually vulnerable and exposed

We will evaluate individually any applicant before allowing subscription.
You might be requested to send pictures or videos of your bondage.

Kirigami and Tenshiko are partners both in rope and in life.
They have been teaching and performing across Europe since 2012. In 2016, they founded School of Rope Milano, where they host weekly classes in traditional Japanese rope bondage for local students as well as international guests.
Their style is deeply rooted in classical Japanese Kinbaku, refined over the years through stage performances, private sessions, and photographic work. Alongside rope, their artistic path has been strongly influenced by the study of traditional Japanese arts — particularly the tea ceremony — which they continue to explore as part of their personal and creative development.
In recent years, their work has expanded beyond Europe. In 2023, they were invited to teach in Latin America and Australia, and began collaborating with Sugiura Norio Sensei on international workshops held in both Europe and Japan, as well as on a series of editorial projects, online and in print.
In 2025, Kirigami became the first non-resident of Japan to be invited to tie for Kinbaku Sajiki, the iconic photographic series curated by Sugiura Norio.