Meet the masters or as I first intended, meet my peers. I decided on meet the masters, this is my way of showing respect.
Over the course of my activities as RopeMarks (dare I say ‘career’) I have had the honor and privilege to meet many interesting people. Some very private people, some very public people, models, riggers, teachers, students and many more. This post will focus on the Japanese people, peers, masters, that I have met. This is a “living” blog that I will update with each new interesting master that I have met or forgot to include.
In alphabetical order:
Kasumi Hourai
Kasumi Hourai I met for the first time in 2019 when she visited Amsterdam for workshops and shows.
Yoi Yoshida
Yoi Yoshida I met for the first time in 2019 when she performed in Antwerp, Belgium. There I was her “supporting act” you could say. Silly me forgot to take a photo.
Arisue Go
In 2006 I had the pleasure of meeting Arisue Go for the first time. This was in club Shangri-La in Tokyo. He was to perform there, I came to enjoy the show but to my surprise he asked me to perform as well… I performed with Arisue Go. Later we met again over dinner when he visited Amsterdam.
Kazami Ranki
In 2023 I had the pleasure, together with The Shady Lady, to hang out with Mr. Kazami Ranki. I also had the opportunity to learning Kazami-Ryu. Shady found Mr. Ranki very huggable!
Mira Kurumi
Mira Kurumi visited the Netherlands together with Amrita. He performed on a few events where I assisted. During his stay I got the meet this master of kinbaku magic and talked (with Amrita translating) over Dutch pancakes.
Miura Takumi
When I first visited Japan I had the privilege to meet, talk (via a translator) and drink (in abundance) with Miura-san. For an interview with Sanwa publishing I was asked to perform a demonstration. Miura-san came by specifically to watch this gaijin tie. One of the things that I will always remember is that when he was asked what he thought of the demo he responded (paraphrasing here) “I was able to relax while watching and enjoy the demonstration“. This, I was told, could be considered a great compliment; I blushed.
In Memoriam Miura Takumi | More Miura Takumi on RopeMarks
Naka Akira
I think I became aware of Naka-san close to to the turn of the century, around the time that I officially founded RopeMarks, and have been “following” him as good as was possible in these days, we’re talking 1998, 1999. When I finally got the opportunity to meet him in 2013 I took it. For me the amazing thing was that he was aware of me as well and we had some interesting and fun conversations over breakfast (we have shared the same hotel) and late night drinks. We met on several occasions since.
Otonawa
During Otonawa (and Tsubasa’s) tour they also came to my small country, Netherlands, and performed for the Amsterdam Rope Lounge. I was lucky enough to be Otonawa’s support act.
Saikatsu-san
Looking back I now know that my first influence was from images by Akechi Denki. Later, close to when I officially founded RopeMarks in 1999, 1998 I think, I saw Akechi-san perform live in the Netherlands. I was hooked.
I had my mind set on lessons from Akechi Denki when I would visit Japan for the first time but unfortunately he had passed away one year before I did visit. I was able to get lessons in Akechi-ryu by the next best option, Saikatsu-san. This is the man that has been by the side of Akechi Denki for over 20 years, that dedicated his life to this master and is trying to carry on the master’s style through lessons.
In Memoriam Akechi Denki | More Saikatsu-san on RopeMarks
Sugiura Norio
Not a kinbakushi but a photographer. Not just any photographer, the photographer whose vision shaped the way we like to see kinbaku photos. He worked with many well known kinbakushi, most notable Naka Akira. Yours truly got to meet this master. There was very little communication happening because of the language barrier but it was great to be in his presence.
Yagami Ren
I met Yagami Ren for the first time in 2016 when he was performing in the Netherlands. During the 2018 Moscow Knot we shared a large space during our stay had and some interesting “conversations” using a translator-app. Challenging but fun!
Master “K”
Master “K” is not Japanese and is not living in Japan, he’s very much American and lives in LA. But I strongly believe he should be a part of this page. His scholarship in the field of Japanese rope merits this and is unique in this world. I met up with him in LA when he was working on his first book, The Beauty of Kinbaku, where RopeMarks ended up in. We talked, ate, drink and had an amazing time with this master. There are no pictures since Master “K” is a very private person.
Osada Steve
Although Steve-san is not Japanese he has been living the bakushi live in Tokyo for almost as long as I have been running RopeMarks. It feels correct to include him on this page.
I met Steve a few times in his own Studio Six in Tokyo and Berlin. Every time I visited I went to watch him do his magic or simply chat. As seems to be the Japanese custom I was invited to show my magic as well… I performed with Osada Steve. The image is of a very hot night in Studio Six.
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