NawaKenshin

Sean — known in the scene as NawaKenshin (@NawaKenshin) — is a rope artist and photographer whose style, Nawakokoro (“Intentional Tying with Heart”), centers on real connection between tying partners:

“Tie to excite, to connect, to evoke a dialogue in ropes.”

He started as a working photographer in 2010 (SM and gravure shoots) and picked up rope the same year, with early guidance from Chris Thomson, known in the scene as Calendar King. Information on shibari was scarce at the time, and the practice sat untouched for years until 2019, when he returned to it seriously. Since then he’s studied under Yagami Ren, Osada Steve, Nawashi Akechi Kanna, and Kasumi Hourai together with Mistress Chiaki, with deep study of Nureki Chimuo’s own work.

Visits and involvement with Shibari.PH

• Early 2025 — first Manila visit.
• August 2025 — interview published. Ahead of his return that September, he spoke with us about his path into rope, his teachers, and how he teaches. Read the interview.
• September 2025 — second Manila visit. A Nawakokoro workshop with a huge Day 1 turnout, plus a first-ever lighting class for shibari photography that landed as an instant hit. He also gave direct feedback on his own Day 2 material — the suspension and body-weight sections probably read as intimidating to newer riggers — and promised a full two-day lighting masterclass for his next visit.
• April 9–12, 2026 — third Manila visit, four days. Tension & Rope Handling, Performance & Rope Jam, Rope Photography (Natural Light and Artificial Light), and private sessions — delivering on the two-day lighting masterclass promised in September.

Where to find him between visits

Instagram: @NawaKenshin. YouTube. His site, nawakenshin.com, where he posts a recap after every trip.