A historic and popular Tokyo rigger (kinbakushi), she is known for running the bars -UBU- (初心) and -mitsu- (密蜜) with Shigonawa Bingo (紫護縄びんご), but above all for being the soul of Onawa Asobi, a festival devoted to “non-professional” shibari that has crossed borders and strengthened ties between continents.
Yoshida Yoi’s (吉田よい) path in shibari, as with her collaborator Shigonawa Bingo, did not go through formal training in a style or under a master; it rests on a combination of self-teaching and learning by sharing time and experiences with others.
If one thing stands out in Yoshida’s personality, it is her social gift: the energy she radiates and the way she draws people together, building communities wherever she goes.
Before devoting herself to shibari, she had a career in market research and consulting, skills that, ironically, would prove essential for the event management and production that define her legacy.
In the early 2000s she was already helping to organize informal gatherings for shibari enthusiasts, meetings that were then called Onawa asobi—literally, “playing with rope.”
The difficulty of finding stable venues led her, in 2007, to take a decisive step: opening Good-Studio (艶間, Enma) in the Kabukicho district of Shinjuku, making use of a vacant space in the building where she lived.
This salon became a beacon for a growing community, a place where amateurs and professionals, photographers and the curious coexisted.
It was in this breeding ground that, in June 2009, the seed of her most emblematic project took root: the first Onawa Asobi event.
Her motivation was not commercial but visceral. Yoshida Yoi saw many bakushi who had exceptional skill but did not aspire to professional status.
Onawa Asobi was born to give them a stage, mixing these anonymous talents with established professionals such as Hajime Kinoko (一鬼のこ), Hourai Kasumi (蓬莱かすみ) and Shigonawa Bingo.
The response was overwhelming, with almost a hundred attendees at the first edition, confirming the public’s hunger to discover fresh, authentic styles.
It is a non-profit festival: even the professionals perform without pay, to enrich the play with rope together. Names such as Naka Akira, Hajime Kinoko, Kazami Ranki, Yagami Ren and Hourai Kasumi performed there before they became known. Over the years it spawned sister events, such as Onawa Asobi DX (2013), editions in Osaka, Nagoya and Hiroshima, and Omuchi Asobi (大鞭あそび, “playing with the whip,” 2014). In 2025 it reached Bangkok.
On the European edition, she summed it up like this: “The closeness and empathy that arise when you cross language barriers to prepare the same stage together. These are emotions you don’t get in shows designed to sell.”
Note: in Japan, calling someone a “professional” in shibari means that the person works in and for the adult industry, generally in porn or in associated clubs.
Aware of the particularities of the female perspective in kinbaku, in the spring of 2010 Yoshida Yoi created Onna matsuri (おんな祭り, Women’s Festival).
She felt that female artists, many of whom came from a tradition as “dominatrixes” in clubs, brought a form of domination free of explicit eroticism, charged with a unique aesthetic and a different emotional quality, like Hourai Kasumi’s wabi-sabi style.
The festival sought not only to highlight this singular beauty, but also to give them a safe space to perform, away from constant comparison with their male counterparts.
Since 2014 she has also produced Omuchi Asobi, an event devoted to whip play, whose first edition was held on September 28 of that year at the Miracle Theater in Shinjuku.
In 2011 she gave her first notable performances outside Japan, including at The London Festival of the Art of Japanese Bondage (LFAJB). In 2019 she toured Belgium with workshops and a performance, which strengthened her ties with the European community, and in 2020, together with BeShibari, she organized the first European edition of Onawa Asobi in Antwerp, which was repeated in the following years. In August 2023 she gave workshops in Thailand with Coach and Yuta at DECEMBER Studio, and on July 20, 2024 she co-organized the Zen Nihon Kinbaku Hakurankai (全日本緊縛博覧会, “Bondage EXPO Japan”) at Shinjuku FACE.
The closure of Good-Studio in 2012 was not an end but a metamorphosis.
With Shigonawa Bingo, a partner introduced by a mutual friend during the studio years, she opened Bar -UBU- and later its sister bar, Bar -mitsu-.
They soon became a reference point for shibari, not only in Japan but worldwide, always welcoming with open arms the travelers who came to their doors seeking to broaden their shibari horizons, thus extending the Good-Studio philosophy to an ever-growing international audience.
Her view of shibari is deeply respectful of the different ways of practicing it. For her, there is no single definition of what is “correct.”
What matters is the attunement between the person tying and the person being tied, as long as there is no danger. This open philosophy, however, is not naive.
Yoshida Yoi watches with concern the flood of images on social media, always advocating for responsible and safe sharing of information, far from the mere reproduction of poses without understanding the underlying technique or psychology.
She is more than an artist or producer; she is the core of a global community she helped connect, a catalyst who, with humility and grace, keeps broadening the horizons of shibari.
Asked whether she felt proud of what she had achieved, she replied: “I don’t feel pride, but gratitude.”
Bar -UBU-
Bar -UBU-, opened in February 2012 in the heart of Kabukicho, Shinjuku, deliberately moves away from show business to focus on people.
The intimate venue works as a meeting point where conversation and the exchange of knowledge flow naturally.
It draws a mixed clientele, Japanese and foreign, which has made it a hub of intercultural dialogue.
Bar -mitsu-
As a natural extension of the project begun with UBU, -mitsu- opened its doors in December 2013. Conceived as a twin space but with a slightly different calling, -mitsu- is particularly geared toward welcoming beginners and newcomers to the world of shibari.
Its atmosphere is perhaps even more welcoming, aiming to create a lower-pressure environment where newcomers can take their first steps, watch and learn without feeling intimidated.
Onawa Asobi performers
List of the riggers who performed at each edition, according to Nawapedia (up to 2014), SMpedia (from 2015) and the dojo’s records.
- 2009, June 19 (Good-Studio): Hajime Kinoko, Hourai Kasumi, Shigonawa Bingo.
- 2009, November 27, Fuyu no jin (Good-Studio): Ero Ouji, Hourai Kasumi, Aoi Sayo, Shigonawa Bingo.
- 2010, November 13, Aki no jin (Good-Studio): Aotsuki Nagare, Asaro, Ero Ouji, Hourai Kasumi, Kazami Ranki, Nawanojyoh, Shigonawa Bingo, YAGIE, Yoshida Yoi.
- 2011, November 19 and 20 (Good-Studio): Ero Ouji, Hajime Kinoko, Hourai Kasumi, Kano Chiaki, Kazami Ranki, Kitagawa Shuhei, Nagasawa Nao, Naka Akira, Otonawa, Shigonawa Bingo, TAIZO.
- 2012, November 17 and 18, in Japanese House (Studio Roppongi Club): Beniryuhana, Aotsuki Nagare, Ero Ouji, Hanakiba Tatsuki, Hourai Kasumi, Kanan, Kazami Ranki, Takeshi Kenko, Kitagawa Shuhei, Masayuki, Mikikoto, Nagasawa Nao, Naka Akira, Nawanojyoh, Otonawa, Rei, Ryou, Rope, Sanji, Shigonawa Bingo, Shishiwaka, Takasama, Yagami Ren, YAGIE, Yoshi, Yuuna.
- 2013, April 21, Onawa Asobi DX (DX Kabukicho): Akuaku, Asaro, BBB, Ero Ouji, Hyuga Takumi, Nawanojyoh, Nuit de Tokyo, Ryou, Shigonawa Bingo, Silica, Taka, Doyama Tesshin, Yoshi, Yoshida Yoi.
- 2013, June 22 and 23, in Osaka (Jyohya Club): Kobayashi Mariko and Washio Yuji Akira, Ryou and Akane, Kamijo Saki, Ero Ouji, Yoshi and Rin, Shishiwaka and Matsuda Reika, Hourai Kasumi, Kuro Neko no, Aizawa Kosuke, Nori and Yukko, Takeshi Kenko and Akane, Saikaku, Kuronyan and Risa, Mira Reika, Satomi Ruya and Susa Ayumi, Kunimiya Jess and Nyuhana, Sanji, Keitsuki Eri Kei and Kingyo, Karen and Aoi Sayo, among others.
- 2013, November 9 and 10 (Studio Roppongi Club): Tenma Haru, Aotsuki Nagare, Asaro, Ero Ouji, Hajime Kinoko, Hiro, Kotatsu, Mikikoto, Motohiko, Nawanojyoh, Nara, Rope, Ryou, Saikaku, Shigonawa Bingo, Shigure, Taka, Hyuga Takumi, Towa, Yoshida Yoi, Yoshiki.
- 2014, June 21 and 22, in Osaka (Jyohya Club): Kobayashi Mariko and Washio Yujiro, Yamamoto and Kiri, Take Kenniji and Akane, Nuit de Tokyo and Huuka, Yoshi and Kurimuzon, Yuzuki Rina and Shino, Sei Mei, Shinomiya Murasakiminoru and Anjou, Mira Minehana, Kotatsu Kouta, Saikaku and Kuro Nyan, Shishiwaka and Matsuda Reika, Kunimiya Jess and Nyuhana, Suzaku Aoi and Nanae, Nara, Kanji and Himawari, Kamijo Saki, Reihana and Rei, Sow and Ame Kinuko, Towa, Satomi Rayouya, Hourai Kasumi.
- 2014, November 22 and 23 (Studio Roppongi Club): Ero Ouji, Hajime Kinoko, Hirama, Hourai Kasumi, Hyuga Takumi, Kunimiya Jess, Kira, Koyuki, Miss Gen, Nagasawa Nao, Nanashi, Nawanojyoh, Nara, Nuit de Tokyo, Oshima, Shigonawa Bingo, Ryou, Takasama, Towa, Yoshida Yoi.
- 2015, November 7 and 8 (Roppongi Club): Mike West, Zeta, Nawanojyoh, Hyuga Takumi, Kamijo Saki, Taka, Yoshida Yoi, Kunimiya Jess, Nuit de Tokyo, Naka Akira, 653, Yamamoto, Koyuki, Sin, Sakaki Ai, Shigonawa Bingo, Ero Ouji, Hourai Kasumi, Juhyokuma.
- 2016, November 19 and 20, Vol. 10 (Studio Cherry): Paisen, Kitayama, Davide La Greca, Shion, Mikikoto, Shishiwaka, Nawanojyoh, TUN, Shigonawa Bingo, Sin, Darsh, Isabelle Hanikamu, Taka, †Siva†, Nuit de Tokyo, Otonawa, Ero Ouji.
- 2017, October 21 and 22, Vol. 11 (Mk Studio): Take-chan, Siro, Shiso, Asaro, Yoshi, Siva, Saw, Takiyuki, Taka, Azuma, Nuit de Tokyo, Hourai Kasumi, Fuu, West, Kira, Nawanojyoh, Davide La Greca, Mike West, Shigonawa Bingo, Ero Ouji, Yoshida Yoi.
- 2018, November 17 and 18 (Studio KiCoLit): Shusaku and Risa, Taka and Asaki, Kitayama Takashi and Chihaya, Darsh, Azuma, Jac Fabian and Ayo Enjoya, Mikikoto and Tomo, Jin and Senji, Aoi Sayo, Ero Ouji and Kana, Sin and Aokigi Juri, Siva and Momoka, Hiro and Amane, ZIMA, Shigonawa Bingo and Misa, Davide La Greca and Coco, Takeshi Kenko and Mai, Suzuki Reiji and Terashima Yuki, Shiso and Masumi, Kira and Tsuki, Yoshida Yoi and Nochiko, Nuit de Tokyo and Fuuka, Ringo.
- 2019, November 9 and 10 (Studio KiCoLit): Tetsu, Hiko, Tatsuanii, Kira, Shiso, Fuu, Davide La Greca, Takumi, Ero Ouji, Kitayama Takashi, Azuma, ZIMA, KAGEROU, Siva, BeShibari, Nuit de Tokyo, Shigonawa Bingo, Taka, Hiro, Sin.
- 2020, February 22 and 23: first European edition, Onawa Asobi Europe — Shibari Festival, in Antwerp (Belgium), organized with the Shibari Lounge team (BeShibari and Shibarista Jess): MaestroBD and Marlene Chapel, Tako and Liesje, Glü Wür and Rouse Renoir, Dolph and Asimira, Yoshida Yoi and Candy Dandelion, Nuit de Tokyo and Fuuka, Sin and Neko, WisDomme and Psychopsis, Gentleties and EveHill, Team Japan, BeShibari and Akane, Shigonawa Bingo and TatiAna, Jac Fabian and Matia, Asiana and Alma Ou l’Ardeur.
- 2022, June 18 and 19, Osaka 2022 (Kyobashi Yoinami-tei): Naa and MIA, Ryuzoji Toki and LAGOON, Takeshi Kenko and Mai, Kitayama Takashi and Yuki, Coach and Misuzu, Shinomiya Shiho and Ryouko, Tairagi Yosshii and Mio, Shusaku and Risa, Kohinata Neko and Rin, Shishiwaka and Nao, Johnny and Chihiro, Tsubaki Tsubaki and Yuki Ai.
- 2022, November 12 and 13, Tokyo 2022 (Studio KiCoLit): Karen and Kusanagi, Kusunoki Yuu and Yui, Shishiwaka and Nao, Shusaku and Sora, Abito Ryo and Ichika, Azuma, Fuu and Kana, Taka and Asaki, Coach and Misuzu, Hiroto and Nodoka, Suo Towako and Mariko, Masa and Mico, RYO and Suzuna, UME and JUNA, Mack and Iori, †Siva†, Yuki Scream and Miya, Kitayama Takashi and Yuki, Shigonawa Bingo and Junko.
- 2023: Onawa Asobi Europe, in Antwerp: Shibarick and killer_kaat, Stella Spei and Jenny, Carlssen and Neriva, Shusaku and Risa, Goldie Sunshine and Daniel Rope, Kitayama and Yuki, WolfRope and Traumsaengerin, Nuit de Tokyo and Rachel, Red Daria and Blue, Christophe and Hélène, Coach and Misuzu, Nik Yourknots and Asimira, West and Kuro, Vik13 and Gala Kinshinawa.
- 2023, September 9 and 10, Osaka 2023 (Kyobashi Yoinami-tei): Kitayama Takashi and Yuki, Makoto and Imo, U and Niko, Tairagi Yosshii and Mary, Shigonawa Bingo and AYA, Abito Ryo and Ichika, Shishiwaka and Nao, Shusaku and Risa, Jun and Yui, Kusunoki Yuu and Yui, Nara and Kana, Tsubaki Tsubaki and Yuki Ai, Coach and Mea, Ryuzoji Toki and Kanna.
- 2023, November 18 and 19, Tokyo 2023 Vol. 15 (Studio KiCoLit): Kaito and Akane, Makoto and Imo, Jin and Mio, Yada, Sakaki Ai and MIAKA, Shishiwaka and Nao, Nuime and Gyo, Coach, UME and JUNA, Shigonawa Bingo and AYA, Abito and Ichika, Saiki Sayo and Edamame, MaestroBD Davide and Meisa, Masa and Natsume, Tatsu Ryu, Kusunoki Yuu and Yui, Karen and Kunigami Takashi, Siva, Taka and Asaki, Tsubaki Tsubaki and Yuki Ai, Ryuzoji Toki and Kanna, Kitayama Takashi and Yuki.
- 2024, September 28 and 29: Onawa Asobi Europe, in Antwerp: Al Walthery and Candydandelion, Jute Bunny and xerra3, Hairoguma Nawa and SarahAdira, Pedro Cordas and Boshai, Shinomiya Shiho and Ryouko, Alex Nagor and Cheri, Makoto and Imo, Lexienawa and Ispéria, F_red and Eesse, Yoshida Yoi and Team Japan, Male Shibari and Cons75, Mistress Tsubaki and Ai Yuki, RopeMarks and the Shady Lady, Coach and TatiAna.
- 2025, March 22 and 23: Onawa Asobi in Bangkok.
- 2025, September 27 and 28: Onawa Asobi Europe, in Antwerp: LukeLoneWolf and SonataAurora, DirtyVonP and Lola, Hazel Kinbaku and TatiAna, Koi Ku Nawa, Sakaki Aoi and Miaka, Roxu and Ena Dahl, Ryuzoji Toki and Tsuyumine Miori, Sugartie and is.this.desire, Lexienawa and condate, Devolar and Izumi, Yuta and Yuzu, Gordias and Anna Aurora, WolfRope and Traumsaengerin, Karatachi Miyu and Kaori.
- 2026, September 26 and 27: Onawa Asobi Europe.
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