About me

In a nutshell
I am Louis Kordexe, based in Tokyo, Japan where I’ve lived for twenty years. I do shibari for rope play, photography and live performances in Tokyo’s clubs. My rope style is in the Akechi Denki’s lineage that I learn under Hajime Kinoko’s as his apprentice and certified instructor in his Ichinawa circle. I run the Studio Y7 near Shinjuku, which is a private studio dedicated to the shibari arts and where I practice and refine my technique, teach, photoshoot and bridge the culture between Japan and the West.

If you are in Tokyo
I offer two shibari courses in Tokyo: an introductory workshop for beginners, covering trust, safety, history, and basic ties designed as an entry door to a potentially lifelong journey, and an intermediate workshop for those ready to deepen technique, refine connection, and explore suspension.
I also offer shibari photoshoots and public performances. If you are interested, please check my portfolio or the upcoming events schedule.

More about me
My initial encounter with ropes in 2011 was accidental, yet it led me to continuously learn this art. In the early days, I learned from books and DVDs by Arisue Go and Naka Akira, who fascinated me with their precision, sobriety and japanese traditional aesthetics. They definitely hooked me and I wanted to learn more. At that time my ties were simple, but I was deeply interested in exploring the intimate path of tying during rope play with partners.

I began photography in 2018 to capture shibari in still images. Photography requires a different approach than rope play, pushing to concentrate on tie patterns and overall aesthetics for the final photo. I would describe rope play as enjoying the trip, while photography is about capturing the destination.

This focus led me to the Ichinawa community in 2019 and Hajime Kinoko who blew my mind away by the way he redefined shibari by bringing this artistic dimension. This is where I further enriched my experience. Developing techniques for more beautiful photos led to stage performances at bars and clubs, which I thoroughly enjoy.

I am an Ichinawa grade 2 licensed instructor and a ROPES member, and occasionally assist Hajime Kinoko during his artworks. He is the teacher I learn from today.