Naoko

Naoko is a London-based educator, performer and shibari artist. The archived Karada House profile says Naoko previously used the name Subay. Naoko first encountered shibari as a model and was drawn to its expressive and interpersonal possibilities.

Training and lineage

Naoko studied with Japanese teachers in Tokyo and began formal study of semenawa under Naka Akira in 2015. Both profiles say Naoko was recognised as Naka Akira’s third deshi in 2023 and belongs to Nawa Naka Kai. Naoko has assisted Naka at events in Tokyo and workshops in Copenhagen, Helsinki, Antwerp, San Francisco and London.

Studios

Naoko founded Hong Kong’s Kokoro Studio, which ran from 2015 to 2025, and opened London’s Studio Yukari in 2022. Studio Yukari is in Bethnal Green. Its listing for a February 2025 Rope Salon shows the format: a live kinbaku session followed by a discussion that Naoko leads, in a space capped at thirty people, with wooden beams, bamboo and hashira provided and guests bringing their own rope.

Teaching and style

The profiles describe an approach to rope centred on empathetic communication and responsiveness to the model. The Anatomie listing describes Naoko’s focus as centred on the person being tied. Anatomie’s listing credits Naoko with teaching and performing across more than twenty countries; the older Karada profile gives more than twenty cities. Anatomie advertised a sold-out, full-day workshop, Rope of Seduction, with Naoko in June 2026.